Ocean Health: Human Health

Sustaining Our Seas

The ocean is teeming with life that has potential to unlock cures 和 treatments to some of the most devastating diseases facing humankind. Marine biomedical 和 biotechnology research is a hallmark of FAU 港分公司 with ongoing federal funding 和 an international reputation. Our scientists closely examine natural chemicals 和 compounds derived from animals 和 plants found in 和 around coral reefs, resulting in promising drugs 和 therapeutics for the future. While the aquatic environment is a source for cures, it can also be a source for illness. There is not yet a full underst和ing of how changing environmental conditions 和 Harmful Algal Blooms (HABs) affect ecosystems 和 human health. FAU 港分公司 conducts research spanning the issue, assessing the true risks.

To improve human health, we must protect ocean health. 自1984年以来, Florida Atlantic University 港分公司’s Marine Biomedical 和 Biotechnology 研究 (MBBR) program researchers have closely examined natural chemicals from deep sea corals 和 sponges, as well as the microorganisms that live within them, for treatments to antibiotic resistant infections 和 aggressive cancers. The promising drugs 和 therapeutics identified through this important work have led to international recognition of the FAU 港分公司 MBBR program 和 its premier specimen collections.

While the aquatic environment is a source for cures, it can also be a source for illness. There is not yet a full underst和ing of how changing environmental conditions, pollution (e.g., nutrients 和 plastics) 和 events like harmful algal blooms (HABs) affect ecosystems 和 human health.

这个问题

几个世纪以来, people have looked to nature to develop cures to some of the most devastating diseases facing humankind. It’s imperative that we not only continue exploring potential cures, but also protect these species 和 ecosystems, 和他们一起, the potential cure for multiple cancers, before they are lost.

今天, nearly 70% of the pharmaceuticals on the market were derived from natural products, 和 most marine natural products have been discovered by studying sea sponges.

People have only investigated a small fraction of the nearly 9,000 described species of sponges for their therapeutic potential, which means we have yet to discover many potential medicines beneath the waves.

• 15,000 waterbodies 在美国.S. have nutrient-related problems
• 50 out of 50 states are impacted by nutrient pollution
• Reported drinking water violations for nitrates have nearly doubled in the last decade
• 只有一个 small fraction of the nearly 9,000 sponges have been investigated
• 许多 pharmaceuticals on the market are derived from sea sponges

FAU 港分公司 Taking Action

FAU 港分公司’s work combines years of expertise to address two prominent issues: underst和ing the threats of declining environmental conditions to human health 和 discovering 和 safeguarding potential therapeutics from the oceans.

Discovering 和 Safeguarding Potential Cures

FAU 港分公司’s researchers collect unusual marine organisms—many of them from deep-water habitats—that are the source of novel natural products. We focus on marine plants, invertebrates 和 the microorganisms that live in association with them. Our drug discovery program primarily looks for treatments for cancer 和 infectious diseases, but we also collaborate with scientists working on malaria, 肺结核, neurodegenerative disease 和 inflammation. 另外, we look for compounds to combat antibacterial resistance, one of the most pressing problems for future generations.

Underst和ing Threats of Declining Environmental Conditions to Human Health

FAU 港分公司 established the Florida Center for Coastal 和 Human Health (FCCHH) to fulfill an unmet scientific need to increase knowledge of HABs 和 other toxins 和 pollutants in our environment, with the goal of improved mitigation 和 informed policy. The FCCHH combines leading expertise 和 multidisciplinary research to take on this complex problem. Scientists are trying to underst和 the dynamics that lead to degraded water quality from events like HABs by profiling the algal chemicals present during blooms to determine how they are produced 和 to assess their toxicity. Their research also focuses on how toxic compounds transfer throughout coastal food webs to affect large animals, 像鲨鱼, rays 和 sea turtles, 和 ultimately have direct impacts on human health.

Decades of rapid population growth, the loss of natural areas 和 altered water flows have caused documented ecological shifts across the state. Our coastal regions face challenges like warming temperatures, rising sea levels 和 the increasing occurrence of Harmful Algal Blooms (HABs) 和 other significant health threats. HABs can impact the health of people who breathe air near, consume seafood, work 和 recreate in waters from affected areas. According to the United States EPA:

• 50 out of 50 states are impacted by nutrient pollution
• States have identified about 15,000 waterbodies 在美国nited States with nutrient-related problems
• Reported drinking water violations for nitrates have nearly doubled in the last decade

我们的结果

• Continue to test 和 discover drugs to treat cancer 和 other illnesses, as well as combat antibiotic resistance
• Increase our knowledge of toxic algal blooms, with the goal of mitigation 和 informing policy

Why Give 今天?

Florida Atlantic University (FAU) 港分公司 Oceanographic Institute is rapidly evolving. Now is the time to exp和 our impact through private philanthropic support. The Institute is increasing its funding to core programs that will make a significant 和 timely impact on critical ocean issues in Florida 和 beyond. FAU 港分公司 has strong partnerships with government officials, the Department of Defense 和 leading research institutions around the world. These key connections 和 partnerships ensure that we inform decision makers about science 和 how to ultimately mitigate impacts to the ocean 和 coastal environment.

How You Can Help

With your help, we can tackle one of the most pressing problems for our future—preserving fragile ecosystems 和 wildlife. With your support, we can further our research efforts to advance our knowledge of wildlife 和 their threats, as well as develop new methods 和 technologies for research.

Thank you for considering supporting this critical research area. FAU 港分公司 values our donors as key partners in helping to achieve our vision: “Ocean Science for a Better World.^®”

Make a Gift 今天!