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Sunscreen
from the Sea
This feature makes a vital conceptual link between the
phylogenetic survey and the ecology unit by offering
an example of one very practical reason why humans should
value biological diversity. Corals as a group play vital
roles in marine ecosystems, as this chapter explains
In addition, corals and many other reef invertebrates
are a potential gold mine of compounds that are potentially
useful to humans as medications. Once we find molecules
that have evolved to serve a particular purpose in nature,
we can "tinker" with them to optimize their
effectiveness for our purposes. Despite all our knowledge
of biology and biochemistry, this is often a far easier
route to new medications and other useful substances
than attempting to design them "from scratch."
Use
the pull-down menu at the right to jump to any of the
"Issues" or "Technology & Society"
Features in the Dragonfly Book:
Click
for a full-size copy of this feature from page 668 of the Dragonfly
Above: A
shallow-water coral reef.
Web
Resources on This Topic:
Coral
sunscreen finally sees the light
(From ABC Health News)
Here is a
report from mainstream media dating form the first announcement
that this sunscreen is in the drug-testing pipeline.
Nature's
sunscreen from the Great Barrier Reef, Australia (from
Australian Institute of Marine Science)
This report
on the same coral sunscreen from an Australian research institute
offers a detailed explanation of what this compound is, how it
works, and what is happening research-wise right now.
Photobiological
Chemistry of Coral Symbiosis (Australian Institute of
Marine Science)
Here’s
some information about how the coral sunscreen functions in nature
as part of the complex relationship between corals and the symbiotic
algae that live within their tissues.
This is the
website of the commercial enterprise currently working to develop,
test, and market the coral sunscreen. (Note:
this commercial site is included for informational purposes only;
its inclusion does not indicate endorsement of this company, its
approach, or its products.)
Drugs
of the Deep: Treasures of the Sea Yield Some Medical Answers and
Hint at Others (From the Food and Drug Administration)
On this page,
the FDA presents more general information about the promise of
finding new drugs from organisms of various sorts that live in
the sea.
Sea
Grant seeks new drugs from the sea
This site
from Sea Grant offers an introductory discussion of useful drugs
obtained from various organisms, and explains why the marine realm
is likely to be particularly rich in useful and unusual compounds.
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Sunscreen
from the Sea
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Use the pull-down menu at the right to jump to any of the "Issues" or "Technology & Society" Features in the Dragonfly Book: |
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Above: A shallow-water coral reef. |
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(A web site developed by Ken Miller and Joe Levine to provide scientific and education support for teachers and students using our textbooks)