Difference between revisions of "The Ocean provides opportunities for human health"
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| − | ==PATHOGENS== | + | ==PATHOGENS<ref name="MGE">Volckaert F.A.M., Barbier M., Canário A.V.M., Clark M.S., Glöckner F.O., Olsen J.L., Wesnigk J., Boyen C. (2008) Marine Genomics Europe. The European flagship of marine sciences for a sustainable future. 38 pp. Marine Genomics Europe, EC-FP6 GOCE-CT-2004-505403</ref>== |
| − | Human pathogens are intimately linked to the ocean | + | [[Image: HTS.PNG |480px|right|thumb|Photograph: © Photothèque CNRS, R.Lamoureux]] |
| − | environment. for example, the cause of cholera remained | + | Human pathogens are intimately linked to the ocean environment. for example, the cause of cholera remained a mystery for a long time until it became apparent that it was associated with tiny marine copepods <ref>PASCUAL, M. RODO, X., ELLNER, S.P., et al. (2000). Cholera dynamics and El Niňo-Southern Oscillation. Science 289, 1766-1769</ref>. The full pathogenic dynamics became clear after the Vibrio genome was sequenced. Cholera outbreaks can be associated with climatic events, such as the El Niňo – Southern Oscillation. The realisation that pathogens switch hosts, and hence represent reservoirs that affect man, should be considered at sea. Other links between climate and infections are further exemplified by [[The Ocean as an economic area - a competitive Europe | harmful algal blooms]], as well as in the intercontinental dispersal of dust and associated pathogens. |
| − | a mystery for a long time until it became | + | |
| − | apparent that it was associated with tiny marine copepods | + | ==MARINE MODELS FOR HUMAN HEALTH== |
| − | |||
| − | became clear after the Vibrio genome was | ||
| − | sequenced. Cholera outbreaks can be associated | ||
| − | with climatic events, such as the El Niňo – Southern | ||
| − | Oscillation. The realisation that pathogens switch | ||
| − | hosts, and hence represent reservoirs that affect | ||
| − | man, should be considered at sea. | ||
| − | Other links between climate and infections are further | ||
| − | exemplified by harmful algal blooms | ||
| − | |||
| − | dust and associated pathogens. | ||
| − | ==MARINE MODELS FOR HUMAN | ||
| − | HEALTH== | ||
===Nervous system development=== | ===Nervous system development=== | ||
| − | Basic biological research within marine biology has | + | Basic biological research within marine biology has long taken advantage of the “peculiarities”of marine “model” animals to understand basic developmental processes related to human health. For example, their nervous systems have been used to establish basic principals in neuroscience. Crab nerves and the squid giant axon featured the discovery of the mechanisms for nerve conduction, chemical neurotransmission and the marine mollusc ''Aplysia''' significantly contributed to our understanding of nerve signalling and memory. With the rapid advance of genomic tools, several prime new developmental and neurobiological models are emerging. These include our most primitive vertebrate relative, the sea squirt, ''Ciona intestinalis'', to understand the basis of human development and the immune system. |
| − | long taken advantage of the “peculiarities”of marine | ||
| − | “model” animals to understand basic developmental | ||
| − | processes related to human health. For example, | ||
| − | their nervous systems have been used to establish | ||
| − | |||
| − | basic principals in neuroscience. Crab nerves and | ||
| − | the squid giant axon featured the discovery of the | ||
| − | mechanisms for nerve conduction, chemical neurotransmission | ||
| − | and the marine mollusc Aplysia significantly | ||
| − | contributed to our understanding of nerve | ||
| − | signalling and memory. With the rapid advance of genomic | ||
| − | tools, several prime new developmental and | ||
| − | neurobiological models are emerging. These include | ||
| − | our most primitive vertebrate relative, the sea squirt, | ||
| − | Ciona intestinalis, to understand the basis of human | ||
| − | development and the immune system. | ||
===Medical research=== | ===Medical research=== | ||
| − | Sequencing the genomes of marine organisms benefits | + | Sequencing the genomes of marine organisms benefits medical research directly. One of the aims of the human genome project is to understand the function of every human gene, which is a long task. The sequencing of many different organisms enables us reconstruction of the history of every human gene, its evolution and its function. The study of marine organisms contributes significantly to this task. This is possible because we are able to manipulate and change genes in “model” organisms which can then be extrapolated to other species. Thus, the academic research aim “if it moves, sequence it” fits into a perspective of understanding basic gene regulatory mechanisms and, in so doing, provides a new means to improve the health and welfare of humans and other animals. |
| − | medical research directly. One of the aims of the | ||
| − | human genome project is to understand the function | ||
| − | of every human gene, which is a long task. The sequencing | ||
| − | of many different organisms enables us | ||
| − | reconstruction of the history of every human gene, | ||
| − | its evolution and its function. The study of marine | ||
| − | organisms contributes significantly to this task. This | ||
| − | is possible because we are able to manipulate and | ||
| − | change genes in “model” organisms which can then | ||
| − | be extrapolated to other species. Thus, the academic | ||
| − | research aim “if it moves, sequence it” fits into a perspective | ||
| − | of understanding basic gene regulatory mechanisms | ||
| − | and, in so doing, provides a new means to | ||
| − | improve the health and welfare of humans and other | ||
| − | animals. | ||
==FORENSICS AND TRACEABILITY== | ==FORENSICS AND TRACEABILITY== | ||
| + | [[Image: Ciona intestinalis.PNG|480px|right|thumb|The genome of the sea squirt ''Ciona intestinalis'' has been fully sequenced. Photograph: © Y. Fontana, Station biologique de Roscoff, CNRS]] | ||
===Barcoding=== | ===Barcoding=== | ||
| − | The use of DNA in | + | The use of DNA in human forensics is now commonplace. Similar techniques are used in the conservation and management of endangered species, for identification of animal origin in food products, identification of poaching and illegal trading. These techniques generally involve sequencing a specific fragment of DNA from each species. There are sufficient differences in genes between species, for the sequence of DNA to act as a unique species identifier, commonly called “a DNA barcode”. Barcoding offers a simple, rapid and inexpensive means of identifying, not only whole animals, but also animal fragments, even after processing. |
| − | human forensics is | ||
| − | now commonplace. | ||
| − | Similar techniques | ||
| − | are used in the | ||
| − | conservation and | ||
| − | management of endangered | ||
| − | species, | ||
| − | for identification of | ||
| − | animal origin in food | ||
| − | products, identification | ||
| − | of poaching | ||
| − | and illegal trading. | ||
| − | These techniques | ||
| − | generally involve | ||
| − | sequencing a specific fragment of DNA from each | ||
| − | species. There are sufficient differences in genes | ||
| − | between species, for the sequence of DNA to act as | ||
| − | a unique species identifier, commonly called “a DNA | ||
| − | barcode”. Barcoding offers a simple, rapid and inexpensive | ||
| − | means of identifying, not only whole animals, | ||
| − | but also animal fragments, even after processing | ||
| − | |||
===Conservation issues=== | ===Conservation issues=== | ||
| − | + | [http://barcoding.si.edu The Consortium for the Barcode of Life] plans to generate a DNA barcode database for 20,000 marine and 8,000 freshwater fish species.This will provide government agencies with a powerful tool for use in the enforcement of conservation issues. Quotas and [[by-catch]] can be more accurately monitored. In addition, comprehensive analyses of catches will provide more accurate data for understanding fish stocks and their ecological relationships. | |
| − | si.edu | ||
| − | for 20,000 marine and 8,000 freshwater fish | ||
| − | species.This will provide government agencies with | ||
| − | a powerful tool for use in the enforcement of conservation | ||
| − | issues. Quotas and by-catch can be more | ||
| − | accurately monitored. In addition, comprehensive | ||
| − | analyses of catches will provide more accurate data | ||
| − | for understanding fish stocks and their ecological relationships. | ||
==HUMAN HEALTH, PHARMACEUTICALS, NUTRACEUTICALS AND BIOPROSPECTION== | ==HUMAN HEALTH, PHARMACEUTICALS, NUTRACEUTICALS AND BIOPROSPECTION== | ||
===Drugs=== | ===Drugs=== | ||
| − | The ocean is a largely unexplored treasure chest of | + | [[Image: Micromonospora sp.PNG | thumb |300px| right]] |
| − | pharmaceuticals, nutraceuticals and products for human | + | The ocean is a largely unexplored treasure chest of pharmaceuticals, nutraceuticals and products for human and animal health. The exploration of the potential of marine biodiversity (thanks to [[The Ocean as a natural heritage | metagenomics]] in terms of pharmaceutical products of high value) is still at a very early stage and requires the development of co-ordinated infrastructures as well as close collaboration between government, biotech industries and academia. So far, only a fraction of this infrastructure is in place. For example, Thiocoraline, an antitumor drug from marine fungus, is under development by PharmaMar S.A. (Spain), and sulphated polysaccharides are being investigated as antiviral drugs. In addition, the list of interesting biotech products, not necessarily medical, is growing and is discussed in the section below. |
| − | and animal health. The exploration of the potential | + | |
| − | of marine biodiversity (thanks to metagenomics in | + | ===Functional seafood=== |
| − | terms of pharmaceutical products of high value) is still | + | In the near future, seafood may be viewed as a biotech product for human health as it has been suggested that it will contribute to reduction of the incidence of chronic disease. This will be achieved via the production of “functional seafood” containing high levels of unsaturated fatty acids, fish protein and other health promoting nutrients. Aquacultured fish selected for high levels of specific fatty acids is becoming a reality and this is clearly an area of great potential growth for the aquaculture and fisheries industries. The restricted availability of seafood resources, especially within the confines of aquaculture, requires the maximal use of safety validation in terms, not only of the fish and shellfish themselves, but also of byproducts, such as fish meal and oils, or even in nonfood applications <ref>DOSDAT, A., DESLOUS-PAOLI, J.M., HÉRAL, M., et al. (2006). Trends in European fisheries and |
| − | at a very early stage and requires the development of | + | aquaculture research. EFARO - Mediaqua Editor</ref>. Genomics can help with this development. |
| − | co-ordinated infrastructures as well as close collaboration | + | |
| − | between government, biotech industries and | + | ==References== |
| − | academia. So far, only a fraction of this infrastructure | + | <references/> |
| − | is in place. For example, Thiocoraline, an antitumor | + | |
| − | drug from marine fungus, is under development by | + | [[Category:Marine Biotechnology]] |
| − | PharmaMar S.A. (Spain), and sulphated polysaccharides | + | [[Category:Marine Genomics]] |
| − | are being investigated as antiviral drugs. In | ||
| − | addition, the list of interesting biotech products, not | ||
| − | necessarily medical, is growing and is discussed in | ||
| − | the section below. | ||
| − | Functional seafood | ||
| − | In the near future, seafood may be viewed as a biotech | ||
| − | product for human health as it has been suggested | ||
| − | that it will contribute to reduction of the incidence | ||
| − | of chronic disease. This will be achieved via the production | ||
| − | of “functional seafood” containing high levels | ||
| − | of unsaturated fatty acids, fish protein and other | ||
| − | health promoting nutrients. Aquacultured fish selected | ||
| − | for high levels of specific fatty acids is becoming | ||
| − | a reality and this is clearly an area of great potential | ||
| − | growth for the aquaculture and fisheries industries. | ||
| − | The restricted availability of seafood resources, especially | ||
| − | within the confines of aquaculture, requires | ||
| − | the maximal use of safety validation in terms, not only | ||
| − | of the fish and shellfish themselves, but also of byproducts, | ||
| − | such as fish meal and oils, or even in nonfood | ||
| − | applications | ||
| − | help with this development. | ||
Latest revision as of 11:18, 8 August 2019
Contents
PATHOGENS[1]
Human pathogens are intimately linked to the ocean environment. for example, the cause of cholera remained a mystery for a long time until it became apparent that it was associated with tiny marine copepods [2]. The full pathogenic dynamics became clear after the Vibrio genome was sequenced. Cholera outbreaks can be associated with climatic events, such as the El Niňo – Southern Oscillation. The realisation that pathogens switch hosts, and hence represent reservoirs that affect man, should be considered at sea. Other links between climate and infections are further exemplified by harmful algal blooms, as well as in the intercontinental dispersal of dust and associated pathogens.
MARINE MODELS FOR HUMAN HEALTH
Nervous system development
Basic biological research within marine biology has long taken advantage of the “peculiarities”of marine “model” animals to understand basic developmental processes related to human health. For example, their nervous systems have been used to establish basic principals in neuroscience. Crab nerves and the squid giant axon featured the discovery of the mechanisms for nerve conduction, chemical neurotransmission and the marine mollusc Aplysia' significantly contributed to our understanding of nerve signalling and memory. With the rapid advance of genomic tools, several prime new developmental and neurobiological models are emerging. These include our most primitive vertebrate relative, the sea squirt, Ciona intestinalis, to understand the basis of human development and the immune system.
Medical research
Sequencing the genomes of marine organisms benefits medical research directly. One of the aims of the human genome project is to understand the function of every human gene, which is a long task. The sequencing of many different organisms enables us reconstruction of the history of every human gene, its evolution and its function. The study of marine organisms contributes significantly to this task. This is possible because we are able to manipulate and change genes in “model” organisms which can then be extrapolated to other species. Thus, the academic research aim “if it moves, sequence it” fits into a perspective of understanding basic gene regulatory mechanisms and, in so doing, provides a new means to improve the health and welfare of humans and other animals.
FORENSICS AND TRACEABILITY
Barcoding
The use of DNA in human forensics is now commonplace. Similar techniques are used in the conservation and management of endangered species, for identification of animal origin in food products, identification of poaching and illegal trading. These techniques generally involve sequencing a specific fragment of DNA from each species. There are sufficient differences in genes between species, for the sequence of DNA to act as a unique species identifier, commonly called “a DNA barcode”. Barcoding offers a simple, rapid and inexpensive means of identifying, not only whole animals, but also animal fragments, even after processing.
Conservation issues
The Consortium for the Barcode of Life plans to generate a DNA barcode database for 20,000 marine and 8,000 freshwater fish species.This will provide government agencies with a powerful tool for use in the enforcement of conservation issues. Quotas and by-catch can be more accurately monitored. In addition, comprehensive analyses of catches will provide more accurate data for understanding fish stocks and their ecological relationships.
HUMAN HEALTH, PHARMACEUTICALS, NUTRACEUTICALS AND BIOPROSPECTION
Drugs
The ocean is a largely unexplored treasure chest of pharmaceuticals, nutraceuticals and products for human and animal health. The exploration of the potential of marine biodiversity (thanks to metagenomics in terms of pharmaceutical products of high value) is still at a very early stage and requires the development of co-ordinated infrastructures as well as close collaboration between government, biotech industries and academia. So far, only a fraction of this infrastructure is in place. For example, Thiocoraline, an antitumor drug from marine fungus, is under development by PharmaMar S.A. (Spain), and sulphated polysaccharides are being investigated as antiviral drugs. In addition, the list of interesting biotech products, not necessarily medical, is growing and is discussed in the section below.
Functional seafood
In the near future, seafood may be viewed as a biotech product for human health as it has been suggested that it will contribute to reduction of the incidence of chronic disease. This will be achieved via the production of “functional seafood” containing high levels of unsaturated fatty acids, fish protein and other health promoting nutrients. Aquacultured fish selected for high levels of specific fatty acids is becoming a reality and this is clearly an area of great potential growth for the aquaculture and fisheries industries. The restricted availability of seafood resources, especially within the confines of aquaculture, requires the maximal use of safety validation in terms, not only of the fish and shellfish themselves, but also of byproducts, such as fish meal and oils, or even in nonfood applications [3]. Genomics can help with this development.
References
- ↑ Volckaert F.A.M., Barbier M., Canário A.V.M., Clark M.S., Glöckner F.O., Olsen J.L., Wesnigk J., Boyen C. (2008) Marine Genomics Europe. The European flagship of marine sciences for a sustainable future. 38 pp. Marine Genomics Europe, EC-FP6 GOCE-CT-2004-505403
- ↑ PASCUAL, M. RODO, X., ELLNER, S.P., et al. (2000). Cholera dynamics and El Niňo-Southern Oscillation. Science 289, 1766-1769
- ↑ DOSDAT, A., DESLOUS-PAOLI, J.M., HÉRAL, M., et al. (2006). Trends in European fisheries and aquaculture research. EFARO - Mediaqua Editor
