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OCEANS OF DISCOVERY

HOW THE STUDY OF OCEANS CAN IMPROVE HUMAN HEALTHYou would think that the placeto learn about our health andhow it relates to the environmentwould be where people live –on dry land. Then it mightsurprise you to know that theoceans also provide importantliving laboratories where scientistscan develop new medicines, protectpeople from toxic substances,

and gain a better understandingof the health consequences ofexposure to environmental agents.Like humans, sh and wildlife aresuffering from both man-madepollutants like lead, mercuryand arsenic, and natural toxinslike red tide.

In order to address these healththreats, and to take advantage of the medicinal benets that the oceansmay provide, the National Institute

of Environmental Health Sciences(NIEHS) is conducting and fundingresearch to explore the impact of

our oceans on human health.The centerpiece of this effort is fourCenters for Oceans and Human

Health, jointly funded by theNIEHS and the National ScienceFoundation (NSF). The Centerswill bring together experts in biomedical and oceanographicsciences to study the effects ofharmful algal blooms, marinepathogens, and the oceans’ vastpotential for drug discovery.

Cystic Fibrosis and Red Tide1

In the past year, NIEHS-fundedscientists at the University of

Miami and the University ofNorth Carolina at Wilmingtonmade a series of groundbreakingdiscoveries in their research withFlorida red tide. As the namesuggests, red tide is characterized by an explosive growth ofmicroscopic plant-like cells alongthe Florida coast that often turnsthe water a reddish-brown color.These tiny cells produce a potentchemical toxin that causes shkills, contaminates shellsh,

and creates severe respiratoryirritation in people.

After identifying the mostpotent of the red tide toxins,the UNC Wilmington researchersdiscovered two anti-toxins – aman-made compound called

NIEHS-NSF Centers forOceans and Human Health:

• University of Washington, Seattle

• University of Hawaii at Manoa

• Woods Hole OceanographicInstitution in Massachusetts

• University of Miami

PO Box 12233 • Research Triangle Park, NC 27709

Phone: 919-541-3345 • www.niehs.nih.gov

July 2005

National Institutes of Health

U.S. Department of Health and Human Services

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ß-Naphthoyl-brevetoxin, and brevenal, a natural compoundproduced by the organism itself– that can block the effects of thered tide toxin on the respiratorysystem. Additional research onthese compounds shows that

they may be useful in treatingthe mucus build-up associatedwith cystic brosis and similarlung diseases.

Tainted Shellsh in Puget SoundAt the University of Washington,researchers are studying thetoxicity of domoic acid, a naturallyoccurring toxin produced bymarine algae that is responsiblefor poisoning among PugetSound residents who consume

tainted shellsh. The researcherswill explore the ways in whichthis toxin affects human health,especially in sensitive populationssuch as children.

Cancer, Infectious Diseasesand Tropical MicroorganismsScientists at the University ofHawaii are developing newmethods for detecting ciguatoxin,

a potent marine toxin produced by microscopic algae, in sh andhumans. University researchersalso are studying extracts fromtropical microorganisms, andtheir potential application inthe treatment of cancer andinfectious diseases.

Toxic Plankton andSeafood PoisoningAt the Woods Hole OceanographicInstitution, scientists are studyingthe genetic makeup of thetoxic plankton Alexandrium,microscopic organisms that are

responsible for recent outbreaksof paralytic shellsh poisoningin the Gulf of Maine and othercoastal waters of the northeasternUnited States.

Toxins in Recreational WatersResearchers at the University ofMiami are conducting experimentswith harmful algal blooms insubtropical ecosystems in orderto identify new species and toxinsthat might be a threat to human

health. Center investigatorsalso are studying microbes incoastal areas, and the healtheffects in waters heavily usedfor recreational purposes.

NIEHS Research on Marine ToxinsIn order to address the future needsof a population that is increasinglyaffected by marine pollutants, theNIEHS also funds four Marine andFreshwater Biomedical Sciences

Centers. There, marine scientistsare using aquatic organisms totest the effects of marine toxinson human health and well-being.

Cancer Treatment and Marine AlgaeAt Oregon State University,scientists identied some naturalproducts from marine algaewith potent anti-cancer andanti-inammatory properties.2 The ultimate goal of these studiesis the development of new therapies

for the prevention and treatment ofcancer and other human diseases.

Lead, Toxin Sensitivityand ZebrashResearchers at the University ofWisconsin are using zebrash, acommon home aquarium species,to identify specic genes thatinuence a person’s sensitivityto environmental chemicals.3 Investigators also have usedfathead minnows and rainbow

trout to test the effectiveness ofDMSA as a treatment for childrenwith lead poisoning.4

Human Disease and Algal BloomsScientists at the University of Miamiare studying the effects of harmfulalgal blooms, the most notoriousmarine hazard to humans andanimals alike. Algal blooms arecharacterized by rapid growth ofalgae in oceans, lakes and streams.Algal blooms produce toxins that

can cause diseases includingneurotoxic disorders fromsh and shellsh consumption,and chronic liver disease.5

NIEHS Marine and FreshwaterBiomedical Sciences Centers:

• University of Wisconsin,Milwaukee

• University of Miami, Coral Gables

• Oregon State University,Corvallis, Oregon

• Mount Desert IslandBiological Laboratory,New Haven, Connecticut

For more information on environmental factors that impact health,go to our website at: http://www.niehs.nih.gov/ 

1 Abraham et al. (2005) Airway Responses to Aerosolized Brevetoxins in an Animal Model of Asthma. American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine 171:26-34.2  Marquez et al. (2002) Structure and Absolute Stereochemistry of Hectochlorin, a Potent Stimulator of Actin Assembly. Journal of Natural Products 65:866-871.3 Loucks et al. (2004) Strain-Dependent Effects of Developmental Ethanol Exposure in Zebrash. Neurotoxicology and Teratology 26:745-55.4 Weber et al. (1997) Alterations in Neurobehavioral Responses in Fishes Exposed to Lead and Lead-Chelating Agents. American Zoology 37:354-362.5

 Fleming et al. (2002) The Epidemiology of Human Illnesses Associated with Harmful Algal Blooms. Neurotoxicology Handbook, Humana Press Inc., vol. 1:363-381.

National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences