Recent advances in marine biotechnologyVol. 6: Bio-organic compounds

The marine environment has been and continues to be a fruitful source of novel chemical compounds that are not found in terrestrial freshwater organisms.

Many of these substances show potential biomedical applications, which could lead to development of new pharmaceutical products.

Research on the utilization of natural products from marine organisms is growing by leaps and bounds; one important reason being that investigators, through new diving technologies, are becoming able to explore at greater and greater depths.

Studies of these marine natural products include investigations of neuronal membrane-active toxins, ion channel blockers, anti-tumour and anti-viral agents and anti-inflammatory molecules.