The Natural History Museum Fossil Porifera Collection

This article provides updated information about the Porifera Collection at The Natural History Museum (NHM), London. With very little information available regarding fossil sponge digitization or any similar initiative, this paper covers the type and figured specimens and drawer label content data of the Porifera Collection and also describes the collection and its research potential. With approximately 71,000 specimens, of which more than 60% are Mesozoic, the NHM holdings offer the best Mesozoic sponge collection in the world and one of the most important due to its breadth and depth. The Porifera Collection covers all stratigraphic periods and all taxonomic groups and includes almost 3000 cited and figured specimens including types. Although most of the specimens come from the British Isles, worldwide samples are also present, with abundant specimens from other Commonwealth countries and from Antarctica.The attached document is the author(’s’) final accepted/submitted version of the journal article. You are advised to consult the publisher’s version if you wish to cite from it

Marine biotechnology: An overview

263-268Marine biotechnology is the creation of products and processes from marine organisms through the application of the techniques of biotechnology, molecular and cellular biology, and bioinformatics. This is a scientifically fascinating and economically expanding field of science. No ecosystems provide greater genetic diversity or possibilities for new products and processes than the world's marine environments. Marine organisms, from bacteria to eukaryotes are certainly a source of molecules of great interest in biotechnology. Today, marine biotechnology has numerous applications from the production of lifesaving drugs to better food and conservation of organic waste. This article provides a selective overview of past achievements, present scenario and future directions of marine biotechnolog

<b>Marine natural products in drug discovery</b>

471-477Marine organisms comprise approximately a half of the total biodiversity, thus offering a vast source to discover useful therapeutics. In recent years, a significant number of novel metabolites with potent pharmacological properties have been discovered from the marine organisms. Although, there are only few marine derived products currently in the market, several marine natural products are now in clinical trials. Current research activities, while primarily within the academic laboratories, have generated convincing evidence that marine natural products have an exceedingly bright future in the discovery of life saving drugs

Mosquito larvicidal potential of some extracts obtained from the marine organisms prawn and sea cucumber

303-306The larvicidal potential of two marine organisms was investigated by testing their non-polar to polar organic extracts against mosquito Culex pipens fatigans. In the present investigation the non-polar petroleum ether extract of prawn Nematopalaemon. tenuipes, Hendersen and polar methanol extract of sea cucumber Holothuria scabra, Jaeger body wall were found to be effective against mosquito larvae. The preliminary chemical analysis showed the presence of steroids in the active extract of prawns, whereas the presence of saponins in the active extract of sea cucumber body wall. In this context, the observed mosquito larvicidal activity could be attributed to the presence of steroids and saponins. In summary, this investigation explores the importance of marine organisms as a valuable resource for the discovery of novel insecticidal molecules

In vitro and in vivo evaluation of the marine sponge skeleton as a bone mimicking biomaterial

This investigation was carried out to identify and characterize marine sponges as potential bioscaffolds in bone tissue engineering. The marine sponge (Biemna fortis) samples were collected from the rocky intertidal region of Anjuna, Goa, India, freeze-dried and converted to pure cristobalite at low temperature. After thorough evaluation of sponge samples by DTA-TGA thermography, XRD, FTIR, SEM and cell cytotoxicity by MTT assay, bare sponge scaffolds were fabricated by firing at 1190 degrees C. These scaffolds were loaded with growth factors (IGF-1 and BMP-2), checked for quasi-dynamic in vitro release kinetics and finally implanted into femoral bone defects in rabbits for up to 90 days, by keeping an empty defect as a control. The in vivo bone healing process was evaluated and compared using chronological radiology, histology, SEM and fluorochrome labeling studies. SEM revealed that the sponge skeleton possesses a collagenous fibrous network consisting of highly internetworked porosity in the size range of 10-220 mu m. XRD and FTIR analysis showed a cristobalite phase with acicular crystals of high aspect ratio, and crystallinity was found to increase from 725 to 1190 degrees C. MTT assay demonstrated the non-cytotoxicity of the samples. A combination of burst and sustained release profile was noticed for both the growth factors and about 74.3% and 83% total release at day 28. In the radiological, histological, scanning electron microscopy and fluorochrome labeling analysis, the IGF-1 impregnated converted sponge scaffold promoted excellent osseous tissue formation followed by the BMP-2 loaded and bare one. These observations suggest that the marine sponge alone and in combination with growth factors is a promising biomaterial for bone repair and bone augmentation

Marine organisms as a source of natural matrix for bone tissue engineering

It is a huge challenge to develop an effective regenerative approach which can be employed to restore diseased or defective part of the bone to its original anatomical and physiological function. Exploration of rich biodiversity in marine ecosystem is one of the most exciting prospects for development of biomaterial for bone tissue engineering. Due to their organic nature, the materials which are fabricated from natural environment are usually safe, biocompatible, biodegradable and osteoconductive which stimulates osteogenesis. Furthermore, marine derived biomaterials are superior to the current available materials which are employed for either in vitro or in vivo grafts or scaffolds as there are some limitations with the present strategies. Regardless of their immense potential, the natural marine resources are enormously unexploited. This review recounts various biomaterials which can be extracted from marine organism for future medical application