| Date | September 4, 2024 |
| Source | Southern Methodist University |
| Summary | Biologists are employing a new method called SMIRC to collect samples from the world’s oceans. This technique has the potential to identify novel compounds that could pave the way for the development of next-generation antibiotics. |
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How Innovative Method Developed for Studying Oceanic Microbes
When SMU researcher Alexander Chase was a child, he was captivated by the diverse plant life in tropical rainforests and wondered about undiscovered species. This curiosity now drives him to collect oceanic samples using a novel method called Small Molecule In situ Resin Capture (SMIRC), which may help identify compounds for next-generation antibiotics.
Microbial natural products, derived from microorganisms, are crucial for many modern medicines, including antibiotics. Microbes produce various chemical compounds during their lifespans, some of which are valuable for pharmaceuticals. Traditionally, new compounds have been found by culturing microbes from wild samples in the lab, a method that has become less effective over time due to the similarity of newly discovered chemical “scaffolds” to known ones. These scaffolds are essential for drug development.
Chase, an assistant professor at the Roy M. Huffington Department of Earth Sciences, explains that the traditional method limits discovery to familiar bacterial strains and their compounds, missing out on the vast chemical diversity in the ocean. SMIRC addresses this by capturing microbial products directly in their natural environment, bypassing the need for lab cultivation.
A recent study published in Nature Communications details how SMIRC, using an absorbent resin called HP-20, successfully collected microbial compounds from wild samples. Initial tests in seagrass areas near San Diego yielded an antibiotic compound and chrysoeriol, a plant-derived antibacterial agent. A modified SMIRC method, combining HP-20 with agar to promote microbial growth, identified a new compound, aplysiopsene A.
Further tests in a protected marine reserve at Cabrillo National Monument collected complex chemical mixtures, possibly due to the area’s low human impact. Although none of the new compounds led to antibiotics, cabrillostatin, one of the discovered compounds, shows potential for cancer and heart disease treatment.
Chase emphasizes that the ocean remains largely unexplored, especially the deep ocean, and SMIRC provides a new tool to study marine microorganisms and their compounds. This advancement is crucial in addressing antibiotic resistance and other health challenges.
FAQ:
1. What are oceanic microbes?
Oceanic microbes are microorganisms that live in the marine environment, including bacteria, archaea, viruses, fungi, and protists. They play crucial roles in ocean ecosystems, including nutrient cycling, carbon sequestration, and influencing global climate patterns.
2. Why are oceanic microbes important?
Oceanic microbes are vital for various ecological processes. They contribute to the breakdown of organic matter, recycling nutrients, and supporting marine food webs. They also impact global carbon cycles and climate regulation through their roles in carbon sequestration and greenhouse gas production.
3. What are some key functions of oceanic microbes?
Nutrient Cycling: They decompose organic matter, releasing nutrients like nitrogen and phosphorus back into the ocean.
Carbon Sequestration: They contribute to the ocean’s ability to absorb and store carbon dioxide from the atmosphere.
Primary Production: Some marine microbes, like phytoplankton, perform photosynthesis, producing oxygen and serving as the base of the marine food web.
Bioremediation: They help break down pollutants and contaminants in marine environments.