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Marine Biotechnology and Biomedicine
Researchers in the Center for Marine Biotechnology and Biomedicine
(CMBB) at Scripps participate in fundamental studies of the physiology
of marine organisms, the conservation and management of marine
habitats, the development of environmental monitoring and remediation
technologies, the genetic engineering of commercially important marine
species, the design of model systems to supplement mammals in
biomedical research, and the development of pharmaceuticals from marine
organisms.
New Cures from the Sea
CMBB researchers are participating in cooperative programs with the UCSD
Cancer Center, various academic collaborators, and numerous
pharmaceutical companies to develop new drugs from marine resources.
Recently, Scripps marine chemists isolated a chemical from a rare
species of coral that shows promise as a potential drug to fight breast
and ovarian cancers. Other Scripps scientists discovered a chemical
from a marine sponge that shows potential for treating inflammation and
pain without the problems associated with aspirin and other
anti-inflammatory drugs. Considered a revolutionary breakthrough, the
chemical is now used by more than 20 companies as a tool for
understanding the process of inflammation. Several other chemicals from
sponges and corals also have been identified and show promise for new
treatments for acute asthma, arthritis, and injuries, without the
shortcomings of steroids or other anti-inflammatory drugs.
Marine Microbes
Scripps researchers have played a leading role in the discovery that bacteria,
protozoa, and viruses critically influence the structure and dynamics
of the ocean's web of life and in turn, control the oceanic carbon
cycle. They are now uncovering the biochemical and molecular mechanisms
that underlie the roles of microbes in ecosystems. These studies are
fundamentally changing how scientists predict the behavior of marine
ecosystems and their response to climate change and global warming. For
instance, Scripps scientists recently discovered that interaction
between bacteria and diatoms significantly influences silicon and
carbon cycles in the ocean. New approaches in molecular biology,
genomics, and proteomics are now being used to gain a deeper
understanding of how marine microbes exert critical controls on carbon
cycling and global climate.
Marine Viral Genomics
Scripps scientists now estimate that for every liter of ocean water, there are
about 1 billion bacteria and a mind-boggling 10 billion viruses. This
easily makes viruses the most common "predator" in the ocean. Scripps
scientists recently published the first scientific paper reporting the
full DNA sequence of a marine virus. Until this and other recent
discoveries, viruses found in the ocean were an enigma. These studies,
and others ongoing at Scripps, indicate a genetic link between marine
and nonmarine viruses, shedding light on the origin of the world's
first viruses.
Explaining Human Disease Processes
Scripps researchers are studying the molecules that regulate sperm and egg
interactions in sea urchins and abalones to understand better how human
cells work. Deciphering sperm and egg interactions at the cellular
level in lower animals can unlock mysteries of cell interaction in
higher animals. Such discoveries may be used to explain human disease
processes with the hope of increasing our ability to prevent them.
Understanding how sperm cells penetrate egg cells also can help
scientists understand how disease-causing cells invade normal cells.
Using Genetics to Produce Marine Pharmaceuticals
Research by Scripps scientists has determined that some important marine
pharmaceuticals are produced by symbiotic microorganisms. However, many
of these microorganisms cannot be cultured to produce sufficient
quantities of the needed pharmaceutical compounds. Due to recent
advances in genetics, it is now possible to transfer genetic material
from one organism to another. Scripps researchers are working to
identify the genes that produce the desired compounds and to transfer
those genes to a bacterium that is easy to culture. Currently, Scripps
scientists are employing these techniques in the study of two promising
pharmaceuticals: the anticancer agent bryostatin and the antifungal
agent theopalauamide.
Cleaning Up Pollutants
Scripps marine biologists are studying how certain marine bacteria can reduce
toxic metal pollutants in the ocean. These bacteria transform metals
from a dissolved form into a nontoxic solid form. The goal of these
studies is to identify the bacteria that carry out potentially useful
processes and to discover how they accomplish these transformations.
Ultimately, new tools such as genetically engineered microbes and
proteins for removing metal pollutants from ocean water and sediment
can be developed.
Studies in the Neurosciences
The Neurobiology Unit consists of several laboratories at Scripps studying
the nervous systems of marine animals to better understand how they
interact with their environment. The success, distribution, and
ecological role of each animal species in its community depend on its
behavior, its ability to detect features of its environment, and its
repertoire of actions. Scripps scientists study the anatomy and
physiology of the behavior "machine," beginning with brain impulses
that produce a variety of responses. The responses can be movements, or
something quite different. Electric fishes, for example, send out weak
electric impulses that are used both to communicate and to detect
undersea objects or cavities. Scientists hope to use the information to
understand how biodiversity is maintained.
Next Generation Ultrasonic Imaging
A sophisticated technique once proposed for radar systems is being
developed by scientists at Scripps and the UCSD School of Medicine as
part of a next-generation system for biomedical ultrasonic imaging. The
researchers hope this new technique will improve their ability to image
blood vessels in people suffering from arteriosclerosis, a chronic
disease that increases the risk of a stroke or aneurysm. They hope to
enhance the ability to see smaller and deeper vessels than is possible
with current systems.
Bioluminescence
Bioluminescence has numerous applications in cell and molecular
biology, biotechnology, medical diagnosis, and environmental analysis.
Luminescent bacteria are used to detect contaminants in wastewater and
soil, and their cloned genes provide a powerful tool for monitoring
gene expression. Scripps researchers study the molecular biology and
genetics of luminescent bacteria that form a symbiotic relationship
with flashlight fish. Also studied are single-celled luminescent
plankton known as dinoflagellates, the most common sources of oceanic
bioluminescence. Dinoflagellates are extremely sensitive to water
motion and can be used as a tool for visualizing complex flow patterns
in water. Scripps scientists are also developing the use of luminescent
brittlestars as sensitive bioindicators of heavy metal contamination in
the coastal environment.
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