Florida Researchers Selected for Undersea Moon-prep Crew
#Moon2024
Florida Researchers Selected for Undersea Moon-prep Crew
#Moon2024
Research Terms
Biotechnology Oceanography Biology Taxonomy
Industries
SECOORA, Board of Directors; 2011 - 2012
Midwest Research Institute, Board of Advisors; 2009 - 2012
FIO Advisory Council, Chairperson; 2009 - 2011
Southern Association of Marine Laboratories, President; 2008 - 2011
National Association of Marine Laboratories, Board of Directors; 2008 - 2011
Florida Oceans and Coastal Council, Board of Advisors; 2006 - 2012
Neopeltolide, an active marine-derived macrolide compound shows anti-cell proliferative activities in vitro that could be use primarily in the treatment of cancer also in the treatment of multi-drug resistant cancer cells, secondarily in the treatment of fungal infections preferably in mammal then for the control of fungi growth in spoilage of food, in cosmetic and other consumer items.
In 2014, about 1,665,540 new cancer cases are expected to be diagnosed in the U.S. and about 585,720 are expected to die of cancer, almost 1,600 people per day. Cancer is the second most common cause of death in the US. Cancer is characterized by an accelerated and uncontrolled multiplication of a set of aberrant cells which lose their apoptotic ability. While certain methods and chemical compositions have been developed which aid in inhibiting, remitting, or controlling the growth of, for example, tumors, new methods and antitumor chemical compositions are needed, as well as in multi-drug resistance (MDR).
Infestations in humans, animals and plants have increased, with many having lethal consequences. There are growing needs amongst others in controlling fungi. Fungi are highly resistant microbiological eukaryotic microorganisms. On the one hand, increased use of antibiotics and immunosuppressive drugs are major factors contributing to higher frequency of fungal infections in immunocompromised patients. One the other hand, chemical fungicides have raised environmental and safety concerns (oncogenic nature, teratogenic effects on human and soil pollution) and the regulation of food safety has become more stringent for avoiding food poisoning. While certain methods and chemical compositions have been developed that aid in inhibiting or controlling the growth of fungi, new methods and new effective antifungal compounds or compositions are needed.
The technology is a bioassay-guided fractionation of an anti-cell proliferation compound, neopeltolide - a biologically active macrolide from an ocean sponge - that shows utility in inhibiting cancer cells and fungal growth.
The inventors have shown that neopeltolide compound have potent anti-tumor and anti-fungal activities. It extends to the compositions with the compound, its enantiomeric forms in excess, its analogues and its derived-salts. Neopeltolide compound is useful for inhibiting pathological cellular proliferation in primary end-use of the treatment of cancer as well as in the treatment of multi-drug resistant cancer cells, secondary in the treatment of fungal infections preferably in mammal then for the control of fungi growth in spoilage of food, in cosmetic and other consumer items.
As example, neopeltolide has a cytotoxic activity on tumoral cells candidates (A549 human lung adenocarcinoma, NCI-ADR RES, and P388 murine leukemia cell lines) with IC50 values respectively of 1.17nM, 5.1nM and 0.56nM). Also, against a fungi candidate, Candida albicans, neopeltolide reaches its minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) at 0.625 pg/ml.
This is a sustaining technology that could bring great value by offering a natural alternative for the control of fungi and for the treatment of the multi-drug resistance (MDR) or multidrug resistance-associated protein (MRP) cases.
The primary field of use of the technology is the treatment of cancer. The expansion of new drugs in oncology represents one of the most promising objectives of the pharmaceutical industry. Indeed, across 2013, fifteen new molecular entities were approved by the FDA; out of which seven were for oncology. Currently targeted therapies dominate the oncology pipeline, followed by chemotherapy. The market landscape is highly competitive; however, the need for novel anti-tumor compounds is high.
The secondary field of use is in the development of antifungal products:
U.S. Patent US 7179828 B2 Biologically active neopeltolide compounds Issued on Feb 20th, 2007.
Amy E. Wright, Ph.D. (UC, Riverside) is Research Professor and Director of the Center for Marine Biomedical and Biotechnology Research at Harbor Branch Oceanographic Institute, Florida Atlantic University. She has conducted research, for the past 25 years, in the field of natural products chemistry. Her primary research interests focus on the purification and structure identification of naturally occurring compounds which may have utility in treating cancer. Much of the research focuses on the investigation of deep-sea invertebrates collected using the Johnson-Sea-Link human- occupied submersibles. Over the course of her career, her research group has identified over 100 different marine natural products with biological activity. One compound she identified early in her career has been approved in Europe for the treatment of soft tissue sarcoma.
Shirley A. Pomponi, Ph.D. (University of Miami) is Research Professor and Executive Director of the NOAA Cooperative Institute for Ocean Exploration, Research, and Technology at Harbor Branch Oceanographic Institute, Florida Atlantic University. Her research focuses on marine biotechnology, in general, and sponge systematics, cell and molecular biology, in particular. She has authored or co-authored more than 100 peer-reviewed scientific publications and is co-inventor on several patents.
Peter J. McCarthy, Ph.D. (University of Kent, Canterbury, UK) is Research Professor at the Center for Marine Biomedical and Biotechnology Research, Harbor Branch Oceanographic Institute, Florida Atlantic University. His research focuses on the discovery of novel natural products and enzymes produced by heterotrophic marine-derived microorganisms.
Oncology, Fungal infection, Food microbiology, Autoimmune Diseases and Inflammatory Diseases.
Microsclerodermins are cyclic peptides derived from marine sponges, which can inhibit cancer cell growth and growth of cells caused by autoimmune and inflammatory diseases.
In the US, cancer is responsible for 25% of all deaths. Death from cancer is primarily due to overgrowth and metastasis of cancer cells to other organs followed by secondary tumor formation throughout the body. Despite improved treatment options, cancer remains a devastating illness. Anticancer drugs directed against the microtubule, including taxanes and vinca alkaloids, have been the backbone of many chemotherapy regimes for decades. However, these drugs have significant limitations to improving patient treatment response including hypersensitivity reactions, neurotoxicity, and the emergence of drug resistance, which have prompted the need for novel microtubule targeting agents. Ideally, novel agents would bind with enhanced tumor specificity, be insensitive to chemoresistance, and reduce neurotoxicity.
The inventors have isolated a new class of naturally occurring microsclerodermins from marine sponges of the Lithistid (Theonella, Microscleroderma, and Amphibleptula genera) and Pachastrellidae families. These cyclic peptides posses unusual amino acids, which can inhibit cancer cell growth (microsclerodermin F) as well as unwanted cell growth related to autoimmune disorders and inflammation. Specifically, they may inhibit growth of tumors in the breast, colon, CNS, liver, lung, as well as leukemia or melanoma cells. They may also be active against ovarian, uterine, renal, pancreatic, and prostate cancer. These compound block mitosis of tumor cell lines and have a number of cellular effects including disruption of the tubulin matrix. They can be readily modified into analogs, derivatives, and salts under a variety of reaction conditions.
Lithistida sponges produce a diverse array of structurally complex compounds such as microsclerodermins with potent and unique biological activities. Potentially bioactive molecules isolated from living organisms such as marine life are commonly recognized as being more effective than those obtained through combinatorial synthetic chemistry. With synthetic libraries, there are a limited number of synthetic reactions resulting in a lack of structurally diversity and exploration of the biological space. Marine natural products are often enzymatically engineered and biologically validated and may represent a higher quality product. Recent technical advances in the synthesis of these compounds have furthered their development into promising therapeutic agents. The marine-derived microsclerodermin F technology has potent anti-proliferative activity against tumor cells, as it completely inhibits mitosis at low Ic50 concentrations and shows pronounced changes in normal microtubule arrangement in A549 lung cancer and Hct-116 colon cancer cells. Microsclerodermin F has a highly unusual amino acid sequence and probable unique mechanism of action making it highly useful in the treatment of Taxane or drug-resistant tumors. It also belongs to the class of cyclic peptides, which have immense therapeutic utility due to their intrinsic, enhanced protein binding affinity and metabolic stability.
Many marine-derived compounds such as microslerodermin F were discovered over a decade ago, however their low recovery from sponges limited their development. Recent technical advances in the synthesis of these compounds have furthered their development into promising therapeutic agents. This technology has tremendous applicability, as it can be used to treat a variety of solid tumors and leukemia and also can cross the blood-brain barrier to treat CNS tumors. Similar to other anti-tumor marine-sponge derived compounds, microsclerodermin F can be used individually or in combination with lower doses of other standard chemotherapy regimes. It has multifaceted biologically activity, as it also can inhibit the growth of cells caused by autoimmune and inflammatory diseases. The proliferative nature of the immune response is generally controlled with immunosuppressive drugs. An alternative method of treatment such as microsclerodermin F may allow for cell growth control without the side-effects associated with a compromised immune system. Treating a variety of conditions with one class of compounds represents a huge cost savings in clinical development. Lastly, since microsclerodermins also affectively absorb UV rays, they can be used industrially as ultraviolet screeners in the plastics.
A patent has been issued for the Microsclerodermins technology. The inventors at the Harbor Branch Oceanographic Institution in Fort Pierce, Florida are looking for a partner for further development and commercialization of this technology through a license.
U.S. Patent 6,384,187 B1
Amy Wright, Ph.D. (UC, Riverside) has been working in the field of Marine Natural Products Chemistry for over 24 years. Her primary research interests focus on the purification and structure identification of naturally occurring compounds, which may have utility in treating cancer. Much of the research focuses on the investigation of deep-sea invertebrates collected using the Johnson-Sea-Link human- occupied submersibles. She has over 150 Peer Reviewed publications. Her past partnerships with large and small biotechs, Sanford Burnham, Moffitt Cancer Center, with funding from NIAID, MIGMS, MCCAM, & NOAA. Through her research, she has access to a vast (5,000+) natural marine compounds library http://dorsrv1.fau.edu/CEBMB/Libraries.aspx. Dr. Shirley Pomponi, Ph.D is Research Professor and Executive Director of the NOAA Cooperative Institute for Ocean Exploration, Research, and Technology at Harbor Branch Oceanographic Institute, Florida Atlantic University, in Fort Pierce, Florida. She received her Ph.D. in Biological Oceanography from the University of Miami. Her research focuses on marine biotechnology, in general, and sponge systematics, cell and molecular biology, in particular. She has authored or co-authored more than 100 peer-reviewed scientific publications and is co-inventor on several patents. a Research Professor at Florida Atlantic University’s Harbor Branch in Marine Biomedical and Biotech Research. Dr. Ross E. Longley, Ph.D. is an Associate Professor of Microbiology and Immunology at Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine in Erie, Pennsylvania. He has authored over 37 peer-reviewed publications. Dr. Richard Isbrucker, Ph.D is a Senior Research Scientist at the Center for Biologics Research Health Canada. He has authored over 15 peer-reviewed publications.
Oncology, drug discovery, natural marine products, immunology
Lasonides C, D, E, F - active marine-derived macrolide compounds - show anti-cell proliferative activities in vitro that could be use primarily in the treatment of cancer also in the treatment of multi-drug resistant cancer cells, secondarily in the treatment of fungal infections preferably in mammal then for the control of fungi growth in spoilage of food, in cosmetic and other consumer items.
1/ In 2014, about 1,665,540 new cancer cases are expected to be diagnosed in the U.S. and about 585,720 are expected to die of cancer, almost 1,600 people per day. Cancer is the second most common cause of death in the US. Cancer is characterized by an accelerated and uncontrolled multiplication of a set of aberrant cells, which lose their apoptotic ability. While certain methods and chemical compositions have been developed which aid in inhibiting, remitting, or controlling the growth of, for example, tumors, new methods and antitumor chemical compositions are needed, as well as in multi-drug resistance (MDR).
2/ Infestations in humans, animals and plants have increased, with many having lethal consequences. There are growing needs amongst others in controlling fungi. Fungi are highly resistant microbiological eukaryotic microorganisms. On the one hand, increased use of antibiotics and immunosuppressive drugs are major factors contributing to higher frequency of fungal infections in immunocompromised patients. One the other hand, chemical fungicides have raised environmental and safety concerns (oncogenic nature, teratogenic effects on human and soil pollution) and the regulation of food safety has become more stringent for avoiding food poisoning. While certain methods and chemical compositions have been developed that aid in inhibiting or controlling the growth of fungi, new methods and new effective antifungal compounds or compositions are needed.
The technology is a bioassay-guided fractionation of an extract that led to the isolation of four structurally different compounds, lasonolides C, D, E and F from an ocean sponge, Forcepia triabilis. These compounds are biologically active macrolides with anti-cell proliferation activities that show utility in inhibiting cancer cells and fungal growth.
The inventors have shown that lasonolides C, D, E and F have potent anti-tumor activities. It extends to the compositions with these compounds, their enantiomeric forms in excess, their analogues and their derived-salts. Furthermore, lasonolide compounds C and F have potent anti-fungal activities. Lasonolides C, D, E and F are useful for inhibiting pathological cellular proliferation in primary end-use of the treatment of cancer as well as in the treatment of multi-drug resistant cancer cells, secondary in the treatment of fungal infections, particularly lasonolides C and F, preferably in mammal then for the control of fungi growth in spoilage of food, in cosmetic and other consumer items.
As example, lasonolides C, D, E have cytotoxic activities on tumoral cells candidates (A549 human lung adenocarcinoma, PANC-1 human pancreatic cancer and NCI-ADR RES ) with IC50 values from 0.12µM to >8µM). Also, against a fungi candidate, Candida albicans, lasonolides C and F reach their minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) respectively at 5µg/ml and 50µg/ml.
This is a sustaining technology that brings great value by offering a natural alternative for the control of fungi and for the treatment of the multi-drug resistance (MDR) or multidrug resistance-associated protein (MRP) cases.
The primary field of use of the technology is the treatment of cancer, as well as the treatment of multi-drug resistant cancer cells. The expansion of new drugs in oncology represents one of the most promising objectives of the pharmaceutical industry. Indeed, across 2013, 15 new molecular entities were approved by the FDA; out of which seven were for oncology. Currently targeted therapies dominate the oncology pipeline, followed by chemotherapy. The market landscape is highly competitive; however, the need for novel anti-tumor compounds is high.
The secondary field of use is in the development of antifungal products: - Preferably in mammal. The U.S. human antifungal therapeutics market reached nearly $4.9 billion in 2013. It is projected to grow to $5.5 billion in 2018; - Then for the control of fungi growth in spoilage of food, in cosmetic and other consumer items. The demand particularly for food safety products in the U.S. is forecast to increase of 7.3 percent annually to $4.5 billion in 2016.
U.S. Patent US 7,521,474 B2 Biologically Active Lasonolide Compounds Issued on April 21st, 2009.
Amy E. Wright, Ph.D. (UC, Riverside) is Research Professor and Director of the Center for Marine Biomedical and Biotechnology Research at Harbor Branch Oceanographic Institute, Florida Atlantic University. She has conducted research, for the past 25 years, in the field of natural products chemistry. Her primary research interests focus on the purification and structure identification of naturally occurring compounds, which may have utility in treating cancer. Over the course of her career, her research group has identified over 100 different marine natural products with biological activity. One compound she identified early in her career has been approved in Europe for the treatment of soft tissue sarcoma.
Shirley A. Pomponi, Ph.D. (University of Miami) is Research Professor and Executive Director of the NOAA Cooperative Institute for Ocean Exploration, Research, and Technology at Harbor Branch Oceanographic Institute, Florida Atlantic University. Her research focuses on marine biotechnology, in general, and sponge systematics, cell and molecular biology, in particular.
Peter J. McCarthy, Ph.D. (University of Kent, Canterbury, UK) is Research Professor at the Center for Marine Biomedical and Biotechnology Research, Harbor Branch Oceanographic Institute, Florida Atlantic University. His research focuses on the discovery of novel natural products and enzymes produced by heterotrophic marine-derived microorganisms.
Ross E. Longleya, Ph.D. (University of Oklahoma) is Senior Vice President of Preclinical Research and Development of Taxolog, Inc. He has been Group Leader for Harbor Branch Oceanographic Institution since 1987. His team designed and implemented new screening assays for drug discovery and mechanism of action work in the Immunology and Cancer Research Program. For the next 15 years, under his direction, his laboratory discovered potential anti-cancer agents in marine natural products.
Ying Chen, M.S. (Fudan of Science and Technology and Academia Sinica, China) is Senior Analytical Chemist at Boston Analytical Inc and was Research Associate for Ocean Exploration, Research, and Technology at Harbor Branch Oceanographic Institute, Florida Atlantic University.
Oncology, Fungal infection, Food microbiology
The invention provides materials and methods for analyzing gene expression, identifying new genes, and efficiently producing useful bioactive compounds in marine invertebrate cells.
Marine organisms live in complex environments, often under extreme conditions allowing for the recovery of a diverse array of structurally complex compounds with potent and unique biological activities. Marine sponges are the focus of biological, chemical, and ecological research as they are sources of pharmaceutically important compounds used to treat a wide-range of disease. Controlled cellular and molecular studies present the opportunity to learn more about our multicellular condition and to understand these systems that are a rich source of compounds with human therapeutic value. Although there have been numerous attempts to develop a classic in vitro model (i.e.. a cell line) as a tool for marine sponge cell research, the ultimate goal of a clonal, axenic, continuously dividing marine sponge cell line has yet to be achieved. Many previous studies focus on phylogeny and evolutionary genetics, however, have not characterized physiological gene expression in an in vitro model. Development of an effective in vitro model with gene characterization would resolve some of the regulatory complexities of biological systems and allow for the efficient production of bioactive compounds.
This technology provides materials and methods for evaluating gene expression in sponge cell cultures, identifying new genes, and efficiently producing useful bioactive compounds in marine invertebrate cells. Using cells from the marine sponge Axinella corrugate, under improved culture conditions, the inventors have developed an in vitro model to investigate metazoan cell biology and produce sponge-derived bioactive human therapeutic agents, which can be increased by modifying gene expression. The gene expression methodology measures changes in gene expression in response to a stimulus (i.e., phytohemagglutin (PHA)) using a nylon membrane cross-species microarray technique. Following microarray, the level of expression is further compared by transcriptional profiling using a radio-labeled probe. A panel of 108 regulated genes have been identified and verified with PCR. The technology substantiates detection of various proliferative and anti-apoptotic molecular changes in marine cells. Close homology between many human and sponge sequences have been discovered using database homology analysis.
The described invention is a significant improvement towards the development of an in vitro marine cell culture model and is the first to devise a formal strategy for identifying real–time gene expression changes in response to a stimulus. This will be used to understand the genetic makeup/behavior of marine sponges and allow for the identification of genes involved in the synthesis of bioactive compounds for further drug development. Previous studies have evaluated changes in gene expression, however, dissociated/re-aggregated cells or intact sponge tissues were used. The identification of PHA in promoting cell replication has significantly advanced the development of marine cell culture. Comparing untreated cultures and cultures treated with PHA allowed for the identification of 108 regulatory genes essential for marine cell proliferation. This technology also incorporates microarray analysis, which allows for sensitive, simultaneous analysis of gene expression for thousands of genes, helping to resolve some of the regulatory complexities of biological systems. Currently, no sponge DNA array exists, therefore, labeled sponge molecules were applied to an existing array of known human gene sequences. This led to the development of an effective hybridization protocol for application of marine sponge samples to existing (cross specific) microarrays). The development of a marine sponge microarray will be possible as more of the sponge genome is uncovered, which will facilitate future drug discovery. The inventors also have strict gene validation measures in place such as by PCR and transcriptional profiling using a radio-labeled probe, ensuring accuracy of the results.
A large number of natural products with therapeutic value have been isolated from sponges, some of which are in clinical or preclinical trials. However, the sponge biomass available for collection in the ocean does not support the demand for commercial development and secondary metabolites are often in trace amounts. The invention, which proposes a methodology for the development of marine cell culture, is a potential route for the sustainable production of sponge-derived bioproducts. Well-defined and controlled conditions can be achieved, enabling manipulation of biomass and bioactive metabolite synthesis. Also, as mentioned, the establishment of an in vitro marine cell culture model and the ability to evaluate regulatory genes provides the opportunity for future understanding of the marine biological system and further drug development.
A patent has been issued for the technology. The inventors at the Harbor Branch Oceanographic Institution in Fort Pierce, Florida are looking for a partner for further development and commercialization of this technology through a license. Issued U.S. Patent 7,135,292
Dr. Shirley Pomponi is Research Professor and Executive Director of the NOAA Cooperative Institute for Ocean Exploration, Research, and Technology at Harbor Branch Oceanographic Institute, Florida Atlantic University, in Fort Pierce, Florida. She received her Ph.D. in Biological Oceanography from the University of Miami. Her research focuses on marine biotechnology, in general, and sponge systematics, cell and molecular biology, in particular. She has authored or co-authored more than 100 peer-reviewed scientific publications and is co-inventor on several patents. a Research Professor at Florida Atlantic University’s Harbor Branch in Marine Biomedical and Biotech Research. Dr. Robin Willoughby’s research focuses on in vitro culture of marine sponges and spans a diversity of disciplines ranging from organism collection and primary culture initiation to micro-scale gene expression studies. At Harbor Branch Oceanographic Institution, Dr. Willoughby works in the Division of Biomedical Marine Research Invertebrate Laboratory and addresses questions in marine sponge cell biology. She received a PhD and MS from Florida Institute of Technology. Dr. Willoughby also uses cellular and molecular perspectives to focus on the functional ecology of sponges and other marine invertebrates.
Marine cell culture/natural products, microarray, genetics, biotechnology, gene expression profiling
Three similar compounds isolated from marine sponges of the family Desmacididae that demonstrate anti-proliferative activity in vitro.
Cancer remains a major cause of illness, disability, and death. According to the World Health Organization, cancer is a leading cause of death worldwide, accounting for 8.2 million deaths in 2012.
Discorhabdin S, T, and U and their analogs have shown activity against cancer cell lines in vitro.
These compounds have a molecular structure that is distinct from other discorhabdins. They differ from each other only in the degree of saturation of the double bonds in the heteroaromatic rings. The inventors assessed anti-proliferative activity in human adenocarcinoma (A549), human pancreatic (PANC-1), and murine leukemia (P388) cell lines. Cells were cultured and then incubated with various concentrations of the test compounds. Results, determined by spectrophotometry, showed that these discorhabdins were effective in inhibiting the growth of cancer cells. The mechanism of action is unknown.
Only two published papers mention discorhabdin S, T, or U. One is authored by Gunsekera et al., and the other is below:
Bioorg Med Chem Lett. 2006 Apr 1;16(7):1944-6. Epub 2006 Jan 24.Semi-synthetic preparation of the rare, cytotoxic, deep-sea sourced sponge metabolites discorhabdins P and U.
Grkovic T, Kaur B, Webb VL, Copp BR.
Semi-synthetic routes to the enzyme inhibitory and potently anti-proliferative marine natural products discorhabdins P and U were developed by one-step methylation reactions of discorhabdins C and B, respectively. Two novel semi-synthetic derivatives of discorhabdin U were also prepared, one of which (6) exhibited significant anti-proliferative activity.
There remains a need for new and effective anticancer agents for humans and animals. Natural sources of biologically active compounds are yielding a growing number of effective therapeutic agents for various diseases. Using marine sponges as a source for new anticancer and antitumor agents expands the arsenal of available, effective, and novel therapeutic agents.
More effective antitumor and anticancer agents are needed. Only 66% of people with cancer will survive for at least 5 years, according to the National Cancer Institute so there is a great need for new anticancer agents. Although there may be some common characteristics among cancers and tumors, different types of tumors or cancers respond differently to the same therapy. An array of therapeutic compounds is needed in order to accommodate specific characteristics of particular tumor types or cancers. There is room in the market for new anti-proliferative compounds.
U.S. Patent 6,835,736 Issued Dec. 28, 2004.
Sarath P. Gunasekera , Ph.D. has been publishing in the field of natural products since 1973. Dr. Gunasekera is a scientist with the Harbor Branch Oceanographic’s Division of Biomedical Marine Research. His research interests include marine natural products chemistry with an emphasis on biologically active compounds having potential medicinal value. Current research focuses on the discovery of biologically active compounds from sponges and deep water microorganisms using enzymes that have potential as targets for therapeutic agents. Other interests include the chemical modification of biologically active compounds, examples: anti-cancer agent discodermolide and anti-inflammatory agents topsentins, for structure activity studies, and also, the use of high resolution NMR techniques for structure analysis. He has authored 96 publications and 21 patents.
Ross E. Longley, Ph.D. NPDDL Laboratory Director; Coordinator of Research Programs; Associate Professor of Microbiology and Immunology, Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine-Bradenton FL. From 1984 to 1987, Dr. Longley was on the faculty at the University of Central Florida, Department of Biology, as an Assistant Professor to both undergraduate and graduate students of immunology and cancer biology. In 1987, he took the Group Leader position at the not-for-profit research organization Harbor Branch Oceanographic Institution. Dr. Longley’s team designed and implemented new screening assays for drug discovery and mechanism of action work in the Immunology and Cancer Research Program. For the next 15 years, under his direction, his laboratory discovered potential anti-cancer agents in marine natural products. In 1992 and again in 1997, he was awarded grants from the National Cancer Institute for the detection of anti-cancer agents found in marine organisms. Thanks to Dr. Longley’s research, the compound discodermolide was discovered and subsequently licensed in 1998 by Novartis pharmaceutical company. Discodermolide is presently in clinical trial as a new anti-cancer agent. After 15 years with Harbor Branch, Dr. Longley joined Taxolog, Inc., in May 2002.Dr. Longley’s research (2007) included taxane drug discovery, assay development, molecular and cellular immunology, tumor biology, flow cytometric methods for analysis of apoptosis and cell cycle-mediated events, mechanism of action studies of taxane derivatives and confocal microscopy methodology for mechanism of action studies.
Shirley A. Pomponi, Ph.D. In addition to directing the Division of Biomedical Marine Research, Dr. Pomponi leads the Marine Invertebrate Cell Culture Program. A major emphasis of her research is on the development of methods for sustainable use of marine resources for drug discovery and development. Research is focused on establishing cell lines of marine sponges that can be used as models to study production of sponge-derived bioactive metabolites and the factors which control expression of production. Dr. Pomponi discovered a chemical that can kill cancer cells, called discodermolide.
Amy Wright, Ph.D. Director, Research Professor, Harbor Branch Oceanographic at Florida Atlantic University. Currently on the faculty of the Medical University of South Carolina in the Marine Biomedicine and Environmental Sciences department. Dr. Wright has conducted research in the field of natural products chemistry. Her research focuses on the discovery of compounds with utility in the treatment of cancer and infectious disease. She has published approximately 60 articles and is an author on 34 patents.
Oncology, Drug discovery
