Modulation of inflammation and apoptosis by FP7-MAREX marine natural products

The European founded FP7-MAREX project (20011–14) is a joint effort of 19 academic, research institute, and industrial partners from 13 countries. Through close co-operation between industrial and academic partners, MAREX is collecting, isolating and classifying marine organisms, such as micro- and macroalgae, cyanobacteria, sea anemones, tunicates and fish from the Atlantic, Pacific and Indian Oceans as well as from the Mediterranean, Baltic and Arabian Seas. Extracts and purified compounds of these organisms are being studied for several therapeutically and industrially significant biological activities, specially by our group for anticancer anti anti-inflammatory activities by applying micro-capillary human cell based high content screening tools. New promising extracts subjected to chromatographic separation and showing bioactivities were found. New tools for a predictive model of idiosyncratic hepatotoxicity in which extracts are administered to human HepG2 cell line within an inflammatory context have been developed as hepatotoxicity commonly results from drug-induced hypersensitivity.

Finally, MAREX is expected to offer novel marine-based lead compounds for European industries and strengthen their product portfolios related to pharmaceutical, nutraceutical, cosmetic, agrochemical, food processing, material and biosensor applications.