In a groundbreaking discovery, Filipino scientists have identified a new species of marine bacteria with potential antibacterial and anti-cancer properties. Named Streptomyces tubbatahanensis after its discovery site, the Tubbataha Reefs in the Sulu Sea, this discovery opens new avenues in the fight against intractable diseases.
The team from the University of San Agustin (USA) in Iloilo province, led by Dr. Doralyn Dalisay and including Balik Scientists Dr. Emmanuel Lorenzo de los Santos and Dr. Jonel Saludes, made this discovery, which was published in the American Society for Microbiology Journal. Their study marks the first exploration of the pharmaceutical potential of microorganisms in Tubbataha, a UNESCO World Heritage Site renowned for its rich marine biodiversity.
The species Streptomyces tubbatahanensis showed remarkable ability in laboratory tests to kill wound-infecting bacteria and inhibit the growth of colon and ovarian cancer cell lines. This discovery is particularly significant as it was inspired by the discovery of erythromycin, a vital antibiotic, from a soil sample in Iloilo in the 1950s.
The bacteria contain a compound known as Chlocarbazomycin A, which possesses both antibiotic and anticancer properties. This compound represents a new hope in the development of treatments against drug-resistant pathogens and cancer. The research team is focused on further studies to harness the bacteria’s potential, acknowledging that the journey to develop these compounds into drugs is long but promising.
The Department of Science and Technology (DOST) has been instrumental in supporting this groundbreaking research. Through Grants-In-Aid funds, the DOST has established advanced laboratories at USA, including the Tuklas Lunas NMR Laboratory Visayas and the Mass Spectrometry Imaging Laboratory, to facilitate cutting-edge drug discovery research. The USA also boasts a biobank with over 3,000 samples of beneficial bacteria, collected from various parts of the Philippines, aiming to develop locally sourced and developed antibiotics.
This discovery reflects the vast potential of the Philippines’ marine biodiversity in drug development, a focus emphasized by Dr. Dalisay in her presentation at the National R&D Conference in Manila. She highlighted the critical need for research and drug discovery based on the country’s rich biodiversity, drawing inspiration from the discovery of erythromycin in marine soil off Iloilo City.
This research exemplifies the power of bioprospecting and the untapped potential of marine ecosystems in developing novel medical treatments. The discovery of Streptomyces tubbatahanensis is a beacon of hope in the global fight against antibiotic-resistant bacteria and cancer, showcasing the invaluable contributions of marine biodiversity to medical science.