Scientists from the University of Western Australia are investigating the anti-cancer properties of sea sponges found under Busselton Jetty in Western Australia.
University of Western Australia researchers are investigating cancer-fighting compounds in marine sponges at Busselton.Collection of marine sponge samples at the jetty is expected to begin in February.Share article
Lead researcher and marine chemistry specialist Darren Holland said there were already two cancer-fighting drugs derived from marine sponges but little research had been done on WA's native species."Not much has been done in the South West region with marine sponges, let alone WA in general, so it's really exciting to learn more about Busselton's marine sponge community," he said.
"A lot of our current approved drugs are based on natural products, like penicillin, aspirin, and morphine," he said.The preliminary phase of the study will involve the collection and analysis of approximately 20 sponge species from Busselton Jetty, creating an extract library for in vitro anti-cancer screening.
The Busselton Jetty — said to be longest timber-piled jetty in the Southern Hemisphere — raised $25,000 to help fund the upcoming six-month trial, which will involve divers removing the sea sponges once the research permit is granted.
Sea Sponges Busselton Jetty Science Medical Science Wa News South West University Of WA UWA University Of Western Australia Anti-Cancer Cancer Drugs Darren Holland Lisa Shreeve
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