Chemical Studies

 

There is a scientific lab
The mystic deep blue ocean
Where sponges seek to protect themselves
Creating potion after potion

But could these chemicals
Have uses for humankind
See what nature can give us
If we only open our mind

If you have glanced or read the previous pages within our web site, you have discovered the basic fundamentals of poriferan research. While the information is accurate, it is not as recent as other scientific research. As science and technology have developed, there is no need for scientists to analyze the elementary facts. Scientific studies from Australia to Brazil to the Mediterranean have shifted to a more basic, but detailed, level- the atomic level.

Poriferan species, the most primitive of all the animals, have been endowed with certain chemicals to compensate for their otherwise inadequate defense mechanisms. As scientists collect samples, extract compounds, analyze data, and repeat tests, the original objectives have been achieved. These chemicals have helped to distinguish between species and clarify misconceptions within the taxonomical tree. However, when the application of various chemical compounds were investigated, the concept of toxic chemical defense by sponges was developed. In recent years, sponges have been recognized for their pharmacological purposes. Sponges are anti-bacterial and anti-fungal. However, in their pursuits for space, sponges have developed a way to prevent cell growth by other animals in all stages of development. Subsequently, the reduction or elimination of radical cell growth could be channelled into a cure for cancer. The wonders of all this within a single molecular strand, hidden to the human eye; the wonders of all this within a single sponge, looked over by the scientific eye.

 

To understand the multi-fold areas of study that have eventuated as a result of chemical studies involving porifera read the following pages:

Alert-Alert-Alert

 

A few days before this web page was uploaded it was discovered that sponges have just been used in studies against cancer cells !!!! Woohoo!

 

Check out this page to learn more:

 

Cancer Cell Line Screening

 

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At this time, the creators of this site would like to thank two scientists who were extremely helpful and encouraging throughout the development of the "Chemical Studies" pages. The contributions of Dr. Jane Fromont, Australia, and Dr. Eduardo Hajdu, Brazil, were priceless in the creation of this page. Before they corresponded with us and shared plentiful research, we were rather lost in all this field of study had to offer. We thank them very much!