Marine Niche: Applications in Pharmaceutical Sciences (eBook)

This book offers a comprehensive study of biological molecules acquired from marine organisms, which have been exploited for drug discovery with the aim to treat human diseases. Biomolecules have potential impacts on a diverse range of fields, including medical and pharmaceutical science, industrial science, biotechnology, basic research, molecular science, environmental science and climate change, etc. To understand and effectively apply medicinally important biomolecules, multidisciplinary approaches are called for.

The ocean remains a rich biological resource, and the vast untapped potential of novel molecules from marine bio-resources has caught the interest of more and more researchers. These novel biological compounds have never been found in terrestrial or other ecosystems, but only in this rich niche. Advances in sampling techniques and technologies, along with increased funding for research and nature conservation, have now encouraged scientists to look deeper in the waters. Aquaculture supports both tremendous seafood production and the bulk production of marine-derived drugs. Furthermore, molecular methods are now being extensively employed to explore the untapped marine microbial diversity. With the help of molecular and biotech tools, the ability of marine organisms to produce new biosynthetic drugs can be greatly enhanced. This book provides an extensive compilation of the latest information on marine resources and their undisputedly vital role in the treatment of diverse ailments.

 

Dr. Neelam M. Nathani,  Ph.D., is a Post-Doctoral Researcher and visiting faculty at the Department of Life Sciences, Maharaja Krishnakumarsinhji Bhavnagar University. She received the CHARUSAT Gold Medal, presented to her by the former President of India, Dr. A. P. J. Abdul Kalam.  She completed her Ph.D. in Microbiology at Saurashtra University in 2016 and has received fellowships including a Department of Science & Technology INSPIRE fellowship, SERB-DST National Post-Doctoral Fellowship and UGC DS Kothari Fellowship.

Dr. Chandrashekar Mootapally, Ph.D., is a Post-Doctoral researcher and has successfully completed SERB-DST funded project as PI (National Post-Doctoral Fellow scheme) at the Department of Marine Science, Maharaja Krishnakumarsinhji Bhavnagar University. Holding a doctorate in Marine Biotechnology from Annamalai University, he has extensive research experience in microbial gene mining from molecular data, and is actively engaged in exploring the pelagic microbial community in the Gulf of Kutch. In his early career, he was involved in the molecular characterization of indigenous livestock from Karnataka, Tamil Nadu and the northeastern states of India.

Prof. I. R. Gadhvi, Dean of the Faculty of Science and Head of the  Department of Marine Science, Maharaja  Krishnakumarsinhji Bhavnagar University,  is a prominent naturalist and  ornithologist in Gujarat, and has trained thousands of students in the field of wildlife and motivated them to practice nature conservation. He has also been associated with grassland conservation activities and wildlife research in the region including Blackbuck National Park, Velavadar, Gujarat, India.

Prof. Bharat Maitreya, Professor of Botany at Gujarat University, completed his undergraduate and graduate degrees at Gujarat University with a specialization in Botany. He has 23 years of teaching experience and is actively engaged in exploring aquatic flora in the region. He has also worked as a Nodal Officer for the All India Survey of Higher Education.

Prof. Chaitanya G. Joshi is currently serving as Director, Gujarat Biotechnology Research Centre (GBRC) and formerly Head of Department of Animal Biotechnology, College of Veterinary Sciences & A.H., Anand Agricultural University. He has been involved in extensive research using advanced molecular techniques like next-generation omics for more than a decade and actively engaged in inculcating research aptitude and zeal in the young minds by means of several successful training programs. He has published more than 200 research papers and 2 books, and has contributed significantly to global public scientific databases on molecular biology.

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This book offers a comprehensive study of biological molecules acquired from marine organisms, which have been exploited for drug discovery with the aim to treat human diseases. Biomolecules have potential impacts on a diverse range of fields, including medical and pharmaceutical science, industrial science, biotechnology, basic research, molecular science, environmental science and climate change, etc. To understand and effectively apply medicinally important biomolecules, multidisciplinary approaches are called for.The ocean remains a rich biological resource, and the vast untapped potential of novel molecules from marine bio-resources has caught the interest of more and more researchers. These novel biological compounds have never been found in terrestrial or other ecosystems, but only in this rich niche. Advances in sampling techniques and technologies, along with increased funding for research and nature conservation, have now encouraged scientists to look deeper in the waters. Aquaculture supports both tremendous seafood production and the bulk production of marine-derived drugs. Furthermore, molecular methods are now being extensively employed to explore the untapped marine microbial diversity. With the help of molecular and biotech tools, the ability of marine organisms to produce new biosynthetic drugs can be greatly enhanced. This book provides an extensive compilation of the latest information on marine resources and their undisputedly vital role in the treatment of diverse ailments.