Drugs from the sea

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Marine organisms have attracted much attention as potential sources for drugs over recent years. This timely book covers the discovery, development and production of drugs from marine bacteria, fungi, microalgae, sponges and opisthobranch mollusks. A recent highlight of marine natural product research described here is the development of a painkilling drug from the venom of a sea snail. Detailed accounts are also given on a novel anticancer drug, which was first isolated from a sponge, and a potential antiosteoporotic drug of hexacoral origin. The main challenge for future new drugs from the sea remains supply, but with production by fermentation and aquaculture two promising solutions are presented. The paper dealing with the identification and culture of symbiotic bacteria responsible for the production of bioactive sponge metabolites will make valuable reading for many researchers. 'Drugs from the Sea' will be of special interest to marine ecologists, chemists, and pharmacologists involved in drug development.