BIOS90 podcast - McCallum

The podcast discusses the marine natural product contagnastrol and its potential benefits for humans and the environment. Contagnastrol, isolated from a marine sponge, has anti-asthma properties and could be used to develop new pharmaceuticals. It also contributes to marine pharmacology and highlights the need for sustainable resource management. Research on contagnastrol strengthens the link between human and environmental health. Responsible extraction techniques and the use of technology like ROVs and AUVs are important for preserving marine ecosystems. Contagnastrol has potential as a medicinal agent and emphasizes the importance of biodiversity preservation. You are listening to a part of Exploring the Ocean and its Resources, a podcast. This is Macy McCallum. I will be speaking about the marine natural product contagnastrol. I have taken interest in this product because I suffer from asthma and can relate to studies done with contagnastrol. For many years, marine organisms have been the main source of many steroids and a number of groups which have chemical and pharmacological activity. Contagnastrol specifically holds importance to both humans and the planet due to its potential pharmacological properties and its broader implications for environmental conservation. Contagnastrol was isolated from extracts of the marine sponge Petrosia contignata, which were collected by R. Anderson and T. Allen at Medang, Papua New Guinea. The sponge Petrosia contignata was identified by Dr. R. Van Sost. The extracts of the sponge Petrosia contignata contain the highly oxygenated steroid contagnastrol. In the field, 2.5 kilograms of specimens of Petrosia contignata were collected by hand using scuba at Medang, Papua New Guinea and eventually transported to Vancouver frozen over dry ice. Contagnastrol has many medical benefits for humans such as its anti-asthma properties. Research suggests that contagnastrol exhibits anti-asthma properties making it a potential candidate for the development of new pharmaceuticals to treat respiratory conditions. Asthma is a common chronic disease globally and new therapeutic options are continually sought after to improve patient outcomes. A second medical benefit from contagnastrol is its pharmacological research. Contagnastrol is apparently the first steroid from a natural source known to have the unnatural 14 beta proton configuration. Contagnastrol's unique chemical structure and biological activity make it an interesting subject for pharmacological research. Understanding its mechanisms of action could help with the development of novel drugs targeting respiratory disorders potentially giving patients more options. Contagnastrol also contributes to marine pharmacology in many ways. One example is blue biotechnology. One bioactive substance that comes from the ocean is contagnastrol which serves as an example of the field's work. In addition to enhancing our drug development process the study of marine creatures for pharmacological purposes highlights the significance of sustainable methods for using marine resources. Another example is the conservation of biodiversity. The importance of marine biodiversity is highlighted by the study of contagnastrol. It is imperative to preserve varied marine ecosystems in order to sustain a plentiful supply of possible medicinal substances. To maintain the health of the ocean it is imperative that we strike a balance between scientific discoveries and conservation initiatives as we continue to study marine pharmacology. Now I will touch on environmental and human health together, specifically the climate health connection and advocacy for conservation. Research on contagnastrol strengthens the link between human health and environmental health. Seas that are clean, unpolluted, and not overfished influence climate stability and indirectly affect human health. Support for ocean conservation is bolstered by the possible medicinal benefits of marine chemicals such as contagnastrol. A growing number of people are realizing the importance of taking appropriate care of the resources on our planet as a result of the connection found between environmental preservation and human health. And lastly, the sustainable resource utilization. It is important that we follow responsible extraction techniques. The possible medical uses for contagnastrol emphasize the significance of sustainable and ethical resource management. To avoid overuse and environmental damage, harvesting marine organisms for bioactive compounds needs to be done carefully. In addition to promoting environmental preservation, sustainable extraction methods create prospects for profit. Far more research and development industries can benefit from ethical bioprospecting in the oceans as long as it maintains the long-term health of marine ecosystems. In order to increase the rate of discoveries like these, we need to utilize technology more. For example, ROVs and AUVs are perfect examples of ways we can explore the hard-to-reach parts of the ocean to make more beneficial discoveries. Conclusively, the significance of contagnastrol stems from its prospective application as a medicinal agent for the respiratory ailments, its input to the discipline of marine pharmacology, and its function in highlighting the significance of sustainable resource management and biodiversity preservation. The chemical illustrates the complex relationships between the health of our world and our own health by acting as a link between human health and environmental well-being. This story was created by Lehigh University students as a part of the course Ocean Solutions BIOS 90 in the fall of 2023.