{"id":3046,"date":"2024-11-28T14:28:15","date_gmt":"2024-11-28T14:28:15","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/blog.uantwerpen.be\/fbd\/?p=3046"},"modified":"2024-11-29T10:54:20","modified_gmt":"2024-11-29T10:54:20","slug":"exploring-thalassia-a-seagrass-with-anti-cancer-potential","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blog.uantwerpen.be\/fbd\/exploring-thalassia-a-seagrass-with-anti-cancer-potential\/","title":{"rendered":"Exploring Thalassia: A Seagrass with Anti-Cancer Potential"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Seas and oceans harbor countless undiscovered treasures. One of these is the seagrass Thalassia<\/em>, specifically the species Thalassia testudinum<\/em>. Long recognized for its ecological importance, this marine plant serves as a vital food source for creatures like sea turtles and plays a key role in protecting vulnerable Caribbean coastal ecosystems. Recently, scientists have discovered that Thalassia<\/em> contains significant anti-carcinogenic compounds, capturing the attention of researchers and marine science biomedical institutes. Currently, the plants are harvested from their natural habitats for laboratory processing. However, this practice could cause tremendous pressure on the species, leading to biodiversity loss and potential ecological disasters.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n

\n
\"\"<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

Professor Wim Vanden Berghe\u2019s lab in Cell Death Signaling<\/a>, in collaboration with Prof. Emmy Tuenter<\/a>\u2019s pharmacognosy lab<\/a>, UGent colleagues of Plant<\/a>\u00a0and Blue biotechnology<\/a>, together with partners at the VLIZ-Innovocean<\/a> campus in Ostend, University of Havana and the ICIMAR Institute of Marine Research<\/a> in Cuba, are investigating sustainable ways of in vitro<\/em> cultivation of these plants, enabling the extraction of the seagrass\u2019 anti-cancer compounds without harming the environment.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In Vitro Cultivation<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n

\n
\"\"<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

\u2018With this North-South VLIR-UOS supported TEAM project, the international research consortium focuses on isolating bioactive compounds from Thalassia<\/em> that function as new anti-cancer agents\u2019, explains Professor Wim Vanden Berghe of the University of Antwerp. For Cuban partners, Thalassia<\/em> initially posed a logistical issue: large amounts of the seagrass wash ashore annually, rot, and starts smelling, deterring tourists. \u2018Instead of destroying it all, our colleagues investigated whether the plants contained any recyclable medicinal bioactive compounds. They managed to isolate and identify a new biomedical component\u2019, says Vanden Berghe.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n
\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\"\"<\/figure>\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Currently, the plants are harvested in their natural environment and further processed in laboratories. While this offers potential for cancer treatment, large-scale harvesting risks biodiversity loss and ecological crises.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n

To address these challenges, Vanden Berghe, his UGent and Cuban collaborators and VLIZ-researchers in Ostend are developing innovative in vitro cultivation techniques for Thalassia<\/em>, ensuring the sustainable extraction of its anti-cancer compounds.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n


Beyond its scientific significance, the project has economic implications for Cuba. Medicines are often too expensive with limited availability, while climate change increases sun exposure and the prevalence of skin cancer. Locally producing a treatment provides an affordable and accessible solution.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n

Thalassia is a vital food source for creatures like sea turtles and plays a key role in protecting vulnerable Caribbean coastal ecosystems.<\/em><\/p>\n<\/div>