Mexican Biologist Discovers Drug in Marine Sponges
Updates | August 9, 2022
Mexican talent is once again present and this time in the field of Biology. Mexican biologist Darwin Pech recently made important discoveries in marine sponges off the coast of the Yucatan Peninsula.
Marine biologist Darwin Pech discovered that the molecules in these animals can be used against Alzheimer's disease and COVID-19. He said that groups of mollusks and seaweed are already being studied in Yucatan, but that very few is known about marine sponges, which is why he decided to focus his research on this species.
The expert was born in the state of Yucatan, Mexico and is currently a postdoctoral student at the Autonomous University of Yucatan. He also explained that his research is focused on findings in different marine species and discovered that, in addition to helping to combat diseases such as COVID-19, they can also be used to fight cancer cells and multidrug-resistant bacteria which are found in hospitals.
He also pointed out that there is no documentation that quantifies the species of sponges, but he assured us that he had worked with 65 species on the coasts of Yucatan, Quintana Roo and Belize. During his study, molecules of several types of sponges that have anti-inflammatory properties to treat Alzheimer's disease were isolated, and two that have antiviral properties against COVID-19.
Mexico has a rich biodiversity and the coasts of the Yucatan Peninsula have a very special feature, since, being surrounded by the waters of the Gulf of Mexico and the Caribbean Sea, these organisms develop special abilities and strategies to survive.
Darwin Pech also explained that there are currently nine natural products of marine origin that are directly used in drugs, including one that was isolated from a mollusk; this drug is considered to be 20 to 25 times more potent than morphine.