EDH 2024

Natural products produced by animals, plants, and microbes have long been recognized as potential sources of drugs and treatments for human illnesses and diseases. Only recently has this potential been recognized in the natural products produced by marine life, but they are having a growing impact in the field of biotechnology, biopharmaceuticals in particular. While the potential of natural products may be great, access to them for preclinical and clinical investigations is not. This research team will explore and document marine habitats in deepwater areas around Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands with the goal of collecting marine organisms (e.g., sponges, corals, and microorganisms) that may contain natural products that can be developed into useful pharmaceutical products. Collected samples and subsamples will be stored in and shared via a suite of long-term repositories that will enable future biopharmaceutical research and development. Knowledge gained during and as a result of this work will contribute to the treatment and prevention of existing and emerging illnesses and diseases.