Book Summary:
One of the most exciting aspects of marine biotechnology is bioprospecting: the search for new natural compounds that can be used as novel pharmaceuticals, healthcare products, agrichemicals for crop protection, and novel bioremediation agents for environmental protection. A new marine-derived analgesic drug, ziconotide (trade name "prialt"), was recently licensed in the USA and other drugs, currently in the late stages of clinical trials, are likely to follow soon. This has fuelled enormous interest in marine biotechnology.
This book critically reviews the most innovative strategies to exploit the full potential of many novel natural compounds, to understand their complex structures and to increase their inherent low yields. The authors discuss the genetics and molecular biology of the bioactive compound biosynthesis, the identification of the organisms involved and the methodologies for sustainable product production.
Topics covered include the isolation and characterization of biosynthetic gene clusters, the cloning and expression of the genes in recombinant systems, mariculture and aquaculture of marine invertebrates such as bryozoans, sponges, and tunicates, and the isolation, cultivation and fermentation of microorganisms from their invertebrate hosts. The chemical structures of hundreds of compounds are illustrated and their properties and potential applications detailed. Containing over 1000 references, this book is an essential resource for everyone involved in marine biotechnology today and provides a unique insight into the rapidly expanding initiative to find "New Drugs from the Sea". |