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Researchers from the University of South Florida recently completed a six-week expedition to Antarctica, collecting samples of ascidians — marine invertebrates known as sea squirts — that harbor a bacterium capable of producing a compound that kills melanoma cells without harming healthy human cells.

Researchers from the University of South Florida recently completed a six-week expedition to Antarctica, collecting samples of ascidians — marine invertebrates known as sea squirts — that harbor a bacterium capable of producing a compound that kills melanoma cells without harming healthy human cells.

The compound, palmerolide A, was traced to a previously unstudied bacterium called Candidatus Synoicihabitans palmerolidicus, which lives within the ascidian species Synoicum adareanum, found in the waters around Antarctica's Anvers Island archipelago.

The compound, palmerolide A, was traced to a previously unstudied bacterium called Candidatus Synoicihabitans palmerolidicus, which lives within the ascidian species Synoicum adareanum, found in the waters around Antarctica's Anvers Island archipelago.

Melanoma is estimated to cause around 57,000 deaths globally each year, a figure researchers warn could climb to approximately 96,000 by 2040. The disease is most prevalent among fair-skinned populations in Australia, New Zealand and parts of Western Europe.

Melanoma is estimated to cause around 57,000 deaths globally each year, a figure researchers warn could climb to approximately 96,000 by 2040. The disease is most prevalent among fair-skinned populations in Australia, New Zealand and parts of Western Europe.

USF chemistry professor Bill Baker said toxins from the ascidians have already killed melanoma cells in mice without killing the mice themselves. Baker noted that grams of material would be needed for expanded animal studies before any human trials could begin.

USF chemistry professor Bill Baker said toxins from the ascidians have already killed melanoma cells in mice without killing the mice themselves. Baker noted that grams of material would be needed for expanded animal studies before any human trials could begin.

Divers descended to depths of up to 130 feet in dives lasting 25 to 35 minutes, facing hazards including ice, leopard seals, shifting seas and limited visibility. Two remotely operated vehicles were also used to locate and map ascidian distribution along the Antarctic Peninsula.

Divers descended to depths of up to 130 feet in dives lasting 25 to 35 minutes, facing hazards including ice, leopard seals, shifting seas and limited visibility. Two remotely operated vehicles were also used to locate and map ascidian distribution along the Antarctic Peninsula.

Baker noted that producing sufficient quantities of palmerolide A for drug development is a key challenge, as a basketball-sized collection of ascidians yields only a fraction of the material needed. Researchers say synthetically reproducing the compound in a laboratory setting is a necessary next step.

Baker noted that producing sufficient quantities of palmerolide A for drug development is a key challenge, as a basketball-sized collection of ascidians yields only a fraction of the material needed. Researchers say synthetically reproducing the compound in a laboratory setting is a necessary next step.

Antarctic Sea Squirts May Hold Melanoma Cure

Antarctic organismsSea couldSquirts helpMay treatHold Melanoma Cure

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Antarctic Sea Squirts May Hold Melanoma Cure

Antarctic organismsSea couldSquirts helpMay treatHold Melanoma Cure

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