The main goal of this Marie Curie Research Training Network is to utilize
the unique ability of aquatic invertebrates, especially sponges, corals, bryozoa
and molluscs, to synthesize a large variety of bioactive compounds for medicine,
plant protection and other applications. This multidisciplinary network will
coordinate the bioprospecting and sustainable exploitation of natural products
with potential biological and pharmacological properties from aquatic sources.
The aim of this network is devoted to the discovery of novel bioactive secondary
metabolites (lead compounds) from aquatic organisms and their successful exploitation
for the benefit of humans. In addition, enzymes/ proteins will be cloned which
can be used in medicine (e.g. for synthesis of bone replacement materials)
or in biotechnology (e.g. bio-transformation). Such a commercial activity
can only be successful, and innovative, if it follows the rule of protecting
nature; hence, the bioactive compounds or enzymes/proteins must be obtained
by application of modern cell biological and molecular biological techniques.
It is the strategy to patent these novel compounds and proteins and their
corresponding genes for their potential use in human therapy or other purposes.
As a source for these molecules, the specimens of the lower invertebrate phyla
(and the associated microorganisms) are the animals of choice and are therefore
addressed here.
The aim of this network is devoted to the discovery of novel bioactive secondary metabolites (lead compounds) from aquatic organisms and their successful exploitation for the benefit of humans. In addition, enzymes/ proteins will be cloned which can be used in medicine (e.g. for synthesis of bone replacement materials) or in biotechnology (e.g. bio-transformation). Such a commercial activity can only be successful, and innovative, if it follows the rule of protecting nature; hence, the bioactive compounds or enzymes/proteins must be obtained by application of modern cell biological and molecular biological techniques. It is the strategy to patent these novel compounds and proteins and their corresponding genes for their potential use in human therapy or other purposes. As a source for these molecules, the specimens of the lower invertebrate phyla (and the associated microorganisms) are the animals of choice and are therefore addressed here.
