Sustainable use of deep-sea organisms collected for biomedical research

The oceans continue to provide new opportunities for the discovery of marine-derivedmedicines and the deep sea is relatively untapped. The Division of Biomedical MarineResearch (DBMR) at Harbor Branch Oceanographic Institution (HBOI) has conductedexpeditions worldwide to collect a unique set of marine microorganisms andinvertebrates, such as sponges and gorgonians, using the Johnson-Sea-Linksubmersibles to depths of 914 m. Discodermolide, a bioactive compound derived fromthe deep water sponges Discodermia spp., was discovered by HBOI and licensed fordevelopment as an anticancer drug. Other HBOI compounds in preclinical trials includetopsentins with potent antiinflammatory activity and lasonolides with antitumorproperties. With the discovery of marine bioproducts comes the challenge ofdeveloping techniques for the sustainable use of the source organisms. HBOI'sresearch in aquaculture, in vitro production (or cell culture), microbial fermentation andrecombinant production offer biological alternatives to harvesting the organisms.Current HBOI projects include recombinant production of novel anticancer compoundsfrom marine actinomycetes (filamentous bacteria), and the discovery of novel antifungalagents with activity against drug-resistant fungi. We are using DNA microarraytechnology to screen the genome of target sponges and develop in vitro methods tor theproduction of bioactive compounds. Another project focuses on the genetic diversitywithin the microbial community associated with deep water sponges. A criticalcomponent of this research is the ethical utilization of the host country's naturalresources and equitable sharing of properties and technologies.