Medicines from the Deep Sea: Exploration of the Gulf of Mexico
September 8-19, 2003
During this expedition, explorers sought untapped sources of new drugs within the U.S. Exclusive Economic Zone. The team collected and studied marine organisms found in deep-water habitats in the Gulf of Mexico in their quest to identify new medicines.
Deep-water marine habitats constitute a relatively untapped resource for the discovery of drugs derived from natural products. Virtually no drug discovery research has targeted the deep-water reef communities in this region, and, in particular, the microbial associates living in these communities. The team at Harbor Branch Oceanographic Institution had a proven record of success in this field with the discovery of discodermolide, an antitumor agent that entered Phase I clinical trials in 2003. Prior observations by the group, as well as extensive review of published reports, strongly supported the premise that these habitats would yield exceptional new discoveries.
Updates & Logs
Click images or links below for detailed mission logs and updates.
Video of the diversity of marine life hidden beneath oil platforms. (mp4, 3.4 MB)
Scientists dive on potential Forcepia site. (mp4, 1.5 MB)