|
 |
Eleutherobia - Soft-Bodied Coral Species
Caption:
This underwater photograph of the Eleutherobia species of coral was taken in a remote part of Western Australia near the town of Exmouth. This soft-bodied coral (suborder Octocorallia) has developed a powerful chemical defense system to aid in its survival. Researchers conducting chemical studies have defined the major defense agent as "eleutherobin," a chemical compound of an unusual type. In subsequent studies, they found that eleutherobin is a powerful inhibitor of cancer cell growth. Even more significant -- the compound shows selective effects against breast, ovarian, and melanoma cancers in preliminary testing. Eleutherobin is an important lead compound in the development of new treatments for these forms of cancer.
(Preview Only)
|
| Credit: |
Photo provided by Paul Schleyer |
| Decade of Image: |
1990 - 1999 |
|
Categories:
OCEAN SCIENCE / General
Formats Available:
Restrictions:
No additional restrictions--beyond NSF's general restrictions--have been placed on this image. For a list of general restrictions that apply to this and all images in the NSF Image Library, see the section "Conditions".
|
