Technology
Scientists find untapped pharmaceutical resources in deep sea
Chinese marine scientists have identified a plethora of previously unknown microbial natural products from the deep sea floor that may have pharmaceutical applications.
In the cold seeps of the deep sea, microbial communities thrive on the geological seepage of hydrocarbons and inorganic compounds for sustenance, in stark contrast to the sunlight-dependent ecosystems that people are more familiar with on the surface.
These organisms utilize biosynthetic gene clusters (BGCs) to synthesize natural products that help them contend for resources. These unknown natural products are believed to possess potent anti-microbial properties, which could be a Game-changer in the fight against drug-resistant infections.
The team of scientists, led by researchers from the Third Institute of Oceanography under the Ministry of Natural Resources, have analyzed 22 sediment cores from nine cold seeps, and detected natural product-encoding BGCs from 63 archaeal and bacterial phyla.
A large proportion of the BGCs they discovered are likely to encode antimicrobial compounds, serving as chemical weapons for host defense and comPetition within the microbial community, according to the study published recently in the journal Science Advances.
The findings provide a pathway to identify previously unrecognized antimicrobial compounds and other types of drugs, according to the researchers.
-
Technology4h ago
Is the iPhone 16 Pro Max Worth the Upgrade? A Deep Dive into Key Features
-
Technology9h ago
Animals that are all black or all white have reputations based on superstition − biases that have real effects
-
Technology13h ago
TIME100 Impact Dinner London: AI Leaders Discuss Responsibility, Regulation, and Text as a ‘Relic of the Past’
-
Technology1d ago
Your next favorite story won’t be written by AI – but it could be someday
-
Technology1d ago
Boeing-built Intelsat satellite declared a total loss after orbital explosion
-
Technology2d ago
Halloween candy binges can overload your gut microbiome – a gut doctor explains how to minimize spooking your helpful bacteria
-
Technology2d ago
NASA Unveils LISA Prototype for Detecting Gravitational Waves in Space
-
Technology3d ago
Google, Microsoft seem OK with Colorado’s controversial AI law. Local tech not so much.