Searching Ocean Life for New Medicines

The tropical waters of the Pacific Ocean are one of the richest sources of biodiversity on Earth. It not only teems with life, but also with extraordinary chemical compounds not found on land. Eric Schmidt, Ph.D., professor of medicinal chemistry at the University of Utah, searches marine organisms for novel compounds that could be transformed into therapeutics, such as medicines to combat pain or cancer. He discusses why there is chemical diversity underwater, what he has found, and what marine life is teaching about synthesizing compounds with new therapeutic potential.