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For millions of years, marine organisms have evolved to protect themselves against the ocean’s pathogens, parasites and diseases.
Now we may be about to reap the rewards of all their hard work.
In the waters below the historic Busselton Jetty, WA researchers are investigating some of the ocean’s oldest organisms.
Dr Darren Holland is an expert in marine invertebrate chemistry and drug discovery from UWA.
He’s working with the Busselton Jetty management team to take a ‘deep dive’ into the diverse biology of marine sponges and their potential for anti-cancer applications in an exciting research trial.
Credit: University of Western Australia
NATURAL CHEMISTRY
Sea sponges are filter feeders that attach to reefs or the seafloor. They’re believed to be the oldest surviving branch of animals.
Sponges are simple, largely stationary animals. The chemicals within their bodies have evolved to ward off predators and disease.
But despite being designed for self-defence, these biochemical compounds could be used to create life-saving medicines.
“What we’re looking for in sponges are compounds called natural products,” says Darren.
“They’re designed to interact with living systems of other animals and organisms, so they have what we call biological activity.
“And biological activity is a kind of marker for drug discovery.”
Credit: Busselton Jetty
Medical treatments derived from nature aren’t uncommon.
“Natural products are the source for many of our current drugs,” says Darren.
“Some famous ones that people would know are morphine, aspirin and penicillin.
“Marine sponges are interesting because they’re a rich source of these natural products that might have drug applications.”
MARINE CANCER TREATMENTS
As some of the planet’s oldest living organisms, it’s unsurprising that sea sponges have unique biochemistry.
This biochemistry is being used all over the world to treat cancers, including pancreatic cancer, ovarian cancer, liver cancer and more.
And it’s nothing new. The first leukaemia treatment in the 1950s was derived from sea sponges found in the Caribbean Sea.
“Already, there are three sponge drugs approved for use worldwide,” says Darren.
“Two of them for the treatment of cancer … and there’s a further four or five in clinical trials and I believe three or four of those, again, are for cancer treatment.”
A COMPLEX ENDEAVOUR
The production of each new medicine derived from sea sponges is a long process.
First, promising natural products need to be identified in the sponge. This is a time-consuming task.
Then begins the complicated process of divining how they might be used for medical treatments.
“Cancers are very complex diseases and there are many different types and presentations,” says Darren.
“We’re hoping to start with a broad screen … against the panel of common cancers, maybe breast, colon or liver for example.”
“Then [we can] narrow in depending on the activity we get from our sponge extract.”
THE TIP OF THE ICEBERG
Darren says the waters of the Busselton Jetty contain a remarkable marine biodiversity and untapped medicinal potential.
“Working at Busselton Jetty, the sponges are quite accessible and it’s quite easy to dive around the jetty and collect them,” says Darren.
“And with the support from the community … it’s been an ideal place to work.”
Darren says there’s been little research in this area and believes the WA coastline holds particular promise.
“The marine environment is very underexplored,” says Darren.
“The ocean’s only been investigated for drug discovery in the last 50 years or so with the advent of scuba diving and submersibles.”
“Western Australia has a really unique marine biodiversity and underexplored populations of marine sponges, from Exmouth all the way down to the [Great Australian] Bight,” says Darren.
“We’re hoping to find some new chemistry and learn more about the marine sponges in the South West region to identify sponges with anti-cancer properties.”
Credit: Busselton Jetty
GIVING BACK
Darren says one of the most rewarding parts of the project is the community engagement.
The Busselton Jetty community raised $25,000 to support the research.
“As a community, the jetty members are really excited about their local environment and particularly the jetty,” says Darren.
“This work is just a preliminary investigation, but I think the outcomes will be really interesting regardless. Because at the end of the day, the Busselton Jetty community will learn a lot more about what they have under the jetty.”
