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Marine
Pharmacognosy
The
aim with this program is to create a
strong multidisciplinary research
environment for the discovery of new
bioactive molecules from the sea with
applications in pharmaceutical
drug-design, diagnostic substances,
control of fouling organisms on man-made
structures, biotech tools, selective
baits, biosensors, industrial process
catalysts and functional foods.
Bioprospecting for new molecules and
materials in marine systems is in its
infancy. The sea hosts the richest
diversity of life-forms and offers a
largely untapped source of molecules with
unknown physiological and ecological
functions. Much of previous research and
bioprospecting have used indiscriminate
screening for biogenic molecules with
tests for bioactivity with simplistic test
systems. Instead, we here use a
“process
line” of
ecologically-guided search for compounds
through studies of physiology and organism
interactions coupled to identification of
target molecules guided by in vivo
assays followed by chemical
characterization and new synthetic
strategies.
The
program in marine pharmacognosy is based
on marine chemical ecology, pharmacology
and chemical synthetic strategies to
discover chemically-mediated interactions
and to isolate, characterize and assess
effects of bioactive molecules. By joining
four strong within-discipline themes we
aim at a project structure that solves the
complex task of efficient search for novel
bioactive molecules. At present, we carry
out research within four areas including
ecological research on chemical defence in
marine plants and animals, pharmacological
research on receptor-ligand effects and
chemical characterization, physiological
and molecular research on systemic
functions of bioactive molecules in
natural systems, and synthetic strategies
in drug design.
The
program Marine Pharmacognosy is a
collaboration between Tjärnö
Marine Biological Laboratory, Dept. of
Marine Ecology at Göteborg
University, Dept. of Medicinal Chemistry,
Division of Pharmacognosy at Uppsala
University, and Dept. of Biosciences at
Novum, Karolinska Institutet.
Contact
person:
Per
Jonsson
Areas
of interest:
- Chemical
defence in marine organisms against
marine fouling and other
attacks
- Settlement
of marine larvae and pores with focus
on signal / receptor-system
- Toxic
algae blooms: Induced signals and also
physiological effects and adaptations
in mussels
- Effect
of environmental changes on chemical
signal systems and the production of
chemical defence molecules (stress
indicators)
Projects
within Marine Pharmacognosy at
TMBL
- New
cyclopeptides in a marine sponge with
chemical defence activities: Contact
persons: Martin Sjögren, Per
Jonsson, Jan Bergman, Lars Bohlin
The objective of this project is to
identify compounds produced by sponges
involved in putative chemical defence
against predators and foulers. Guided
by in vivo bioassays, highly
bioactive molecules are fractionated
with HPLC, and characterized using
LC-MS and NMR. Two interesting
cyclopeptides have been identified
within the project which show chemical
defence action against foulers. Using
new synthetic strategies these
compounds have been produced
synthetically together with a range of
analogs, which are being used to
explore the mode of action, e.g.
ligand-receptor interactions. Several
of the compounds are investigated as
possible leads for different
applications, e.g. as antifouling
agents in marine paints.
- Chemical
communication and inducible defences in
marine macroalgae. Contact
person Gunilla
Toth
- Inducible
chemical defences in seaweeds:
selective agents mechanisms and
consequences.
Contact
person Henrik
Pavia
- Toxic
marine microalgae: the ecological
impact of algal toxins. Contact
persons: Erik
Selander,
Per Jonsson, Henrik
Pavia
- Project
title
Contact person: Mia
Dahlström
Running
PhD programs within Marine Pharmacognosy
at TMBL
- "Title
coming
soon".
Erik Hedner, Department
of Medicinal Chemistry, Division of
Pharmacognosy
, Uppsala University
- "A
new cyclopeptide in a marine sponge
with chemical defence activities".
Martin
Sjögren,
Department of Medicinal Chemistry,
Division of Pharmacognosy , Uppsala
University,
supervisor Lars Bohlin.
Honours
projects related to Marine Pharmacognosy
at TMBL
(in
Swedish)
Industrial
interest and regional effects
In the long run several positive
spin-offs are expected both on local and
regional level. Research and development
on bioactive substances in marine
organisms have a great potential for
establishment and development of
biotechnical companies based on new
discoveries and innovations.
Networks
Facilities
Persons
active within Marine Pharmacognosy at
TMBL
- Prof.
Lars Bohlin, PI, Dept Medicinal
Chemistry, Division
of
Pharmacognosy,
Uppsala University
- Prof.
Per Jonsson, PI, Dept Marine
Ecology, Göteborg
University
- Dr.
Mia
Dahlström,
Dept Marine Ecology, Göteborg
University
- Dr.
Ulf Göransson, Dept Medicinal
Chemistry, Division
of
Pharmacognosy,
Uppsala University
- PhD
student Erik Hedner, Department of
Medicinal Chemistry,
Division
of
Pharmacognosy
, Uppsala University
- PhD
student Martin Sjögren,
Department of Medicinal Chemistry,
Division
of
Pharmacognosy
, Uppsala
University
- Research
Ass. Malin Karlsson,
Tjärnö Marine Biological
Laboratory
- Research
Ass. Martin Ogemark,
Tjärnö Marine Biological
Laboratory
Collaborating
partners
- Prof.
Jan Bergman, Dept
Biosciences at
Novum,
Karolinska Institute
- Assoc.
Prof. Henrik Pavia,
Dept
Marine Ecology, Göteborg
University
- Dr.
Gunnar Cervin,
Dept
Marine Ecology, Göteborg
University
- Dr.
Gunilla
Toth,
Dept
Marine Ecology, Göteborg
University
- PhD
student Göran Nylund,
Dept
Marine Ecology, Göteborg
University
- PhD
student Erik
Selander,
Dept
Marine Ecology, Göteborg
University
Other
web sites of interest:
Contact
person:
Per
Jonsson
Internal
pages the Chemical Ecology working
group
(in Swedish)
Last updated 040917, Eva.Marie.Rodstrom@tmbl.gu.se
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