Marine Ecosystem – Cradle of Biological Diversity, Natural Chemicals and Lead Pharmaceuticals
Event | November 18, 2021
Marine ecosystem is an important cradle of life and vital source of bioresources for human well-being. It offers a wide variety of organisms due to the diversified environment offered by different oceanic zones. Enormous ecological resources of the sea have been exploited since ancient times and included the use of marine animals like fish and preparations from algae as the sources of medicine. It is a natural habitat for a broad variety of living organisms having different physiology and capacity to adapt their environment. A total of 33 animal phyla known today, of these 32 phyla are to be found in the marine ecosystems out of which 15 varieties are exclusively present in the marine environment. It also offers an ecological resource comprising a variety of aquatic plants, animals and microbes. The unique genetic diversity enables them to exhibit chemical diversity that is much needed for their survival, which has also been a vital source of potential new drugs for human well-being. Most of these chemicals are produced as secondary metabolites for communication, reproduction and defence, to enhance their survival. These chemicals has been found to be of importance to human well-being as food, vital nutraceuticals and lead drugs. Marine derived drugs represents countless and diverse resource for new leads to combat major diseases. Secondary metabolites derived from marine organisms are screened for antibacterial, immunomodulator, anti-fungal, anti-inflammatory, anticancer, antimicrobial, neuroprotective, analgesic, and antimalarial properties. They are used for new drug developments extensively across the world. Marine pharmacology offers the scope for research on these drugs of marine origin.
Hokkaido University – Universiti Malaysia Sabah – Kagoshima University webinar, will touch on three important aspects mentioned above; 1) Marine Biodiversity, 2) Chemical Ecology of Marine Organisms, and 3) Drug Discovery from Marine secondary Metabolites.
Click the poster above for the schedule
Date and Time:
18 November 2021
1:00 PM – 5:10 PM (Japan Time)
Venue:
Online
Organizers:
Hokkaido University
Universiti Sabah Malaysia
Kagoshima University
Eligibility:
Open for public
Registration:
Contact person(s):
Prof. Dr. Charles S. Vairappan
csv[at]ums.edu.my
Dr. Ng Shean Yeaw
sheanyeaw[at]ums.edu.my
