This timely desk reference focuses on marine-derived bioactive substances which have biological, medical and industrial applications. The medicinal value of these marine natural products are assessed and discussed. Their function as a new and important resource in novel, anticancer drug discovery research is also presented in international contributions from several research groups. For example, the potential role of Spongistatin, Apratoxin A, Eribulin mesylate, phlorotannins, fucoidan, as anticancer agents is explained. The mechanism of action of bioactive compounds present in marine algae, bacteria, fungus, sponges, seaweeds and other marine animals and plants are illustrated via several mechanisms. In addition, this handbook lists various compounds that are active candidates in chemoprevention and their target actions. The handbook also places into context the demand for anticancer nutraceuticals and their use as potential anti-cancer pharmaceuticals and medicines. This study of advanced and future types of natural compounds from marine sources is written to facilitate the understanding of Biotechnology and its application to marine natural product drug discovery research.

With an account of over 6.000 recent and 15.000 fossil species, phylum Bryozoa represents a quite large and important phylum of colonial filter feeders. This volume of the series Handbook of Zoology contains new findings on phylogeny, morphology and evolution that have significantly improved our knowledge and understanding of this phylum. It is a comprehensive book that will be a standard for many specialists but also newcomers to the field of bryozoology.

This inter-disciplinary volume provides information on anticancer medicines derived from marine organisms. Eight edited reviews extensively list the variety of organisms including marine plants, sponges, cnidarians and fish. Emphasis is placed on the source of the compounds, their structure and mechanism of action. Anticancer peptides from sponges are covered in a dedicated chapter. The specific biology and ecology of marine organisms yielding these anticancer compounds is also highlighted where appropriate. All chapters include detailed references for advanced readers. This volume is a standard text-cum-reference for teachers, students and researchers of various disciplines such as Biomedical Sciences, Pharmaceutical Sciences, Marine Biology, and Fisheries Science, it also serves as a guide to marine anticancer compounds for professionals in the pharmaceutical industry who are involved in the development of new marine-derived anticancer drugs.

Evolutionary Diversity as a Source for Anticancer Molecules discusses evolutionary diversity as source for anticancer agents derived from bacteria, algae, bryophytes, pteridophytes, and gymnosperms. The book goes over the isolation of anticancer agents and the technologyenabled screening process used to develop anticancer drugs. The book also includes discussion of the nutraceuticals and natural productsderived from invertebrates that can be used as part of cancer treatment. Evolutionary Diversity as a Source for Anticancer Molecules also deals with some of the current challenges in the prevention of cancer as well as the side effects of conventional drugs used for cancer patients.This book is a valuable resource for cancer researchers, oncologists, biotechnologists, pharmacologists, and any member of the biomedicalfield interested in understanding more about natural products with anticancer potential. - Discusses the application of natural products in place of conventional drugs to minimize the side effects in cancer treatment - Explains the relation between evolutionary mechanisms and climate change for production of secondary metabolites

Dramatic developments in understanding the fundamental underpinnings of life have provided exciting opportunities to make marine bioproducts an important part of the U.S. economy. Several marine based pharmaceuticals are under active commercial development, ecosystem health is high on the public's list of concerns, and aquaculture is providing an ever greater proportion of the seafood on our tables. Nevertheless, marine biotechnology has not yet caught the public's, or investor's, attention. Two workshops, held in October 1999 and November 2001 at the National Academies, were successful in highlighting new developments and opportunities in environmental and biomedical applications of marine biotechnology, and also in identifying factors that are impeding commercial exploitation of these products. This report includes a synthesis of the 2001 sessions addressing drug discovery and development, applications of genomics and proteomics to marine biotechnology, biomaterials and bioengineering, and public policy and essays contributed by the workshop speakers.

This book is a printed edition of the Special Issue "Marine Compounds and Cancer" that was published in Marine Drugs

The ocean is a source of unique natural products, mainly accumulated in living organisms. The c.4000 species of tunicates or sea squirts (Phylum, Chordata; Subphylum, Urochordata) are a high-potential yet under-studied source of bioactive compounds for pharmaceuticals. The secondary metabolites such as alkaloids isolated from these organisms have led to the discovery of an approved anti-tumor drug, anti-cancer drugs Yondelis® and Aplidin®, as well as many others in clinical trial. There is an urgent need for more research on the bioactive compounds of marine tunicates and better knowledge about the identification and biology of these species. This is the first focused book to meet this need. The taxonomy, common name, global distribution, habitat, diagnostic features and pharmaceutical compounds (along with their activities) of 165 key species of tunicates are given, with high-quality illustrations. Contributed by scientists of both Marine Biology and Pharmacy disciplines, this book will serve as a standard reference for researchers, teachers and students of Fisheries Science, Marine Biology, Life Sciences, Biotechnology, Natural Products, and Pharmacy, and as a valuable guide for pharmaceutical companies involved in the development of new drugs from marine organisms.