Hendrik Luesch has discovered a marine compound on the east coast of Florida called gatorbulin-1 that could aid in the fight against cancer. Hendrik believes that with the unique biodiversity of the ocean, the more likely these ocean chemicals can translate into effective drugs.

“I believe that it is a smarter approach to start with something in nature because often times the product itself is already a good treatment,” Luesch said. “Products like cyanobacteria are not making compounds to treat cancer, but they target something else in their natural environment that is structurally similar to something in cancer progression.”

• Hendrik Luesch