This project is funded under the Organic and Macromolecular Program in support of the Minority Research Initiative (MRI) effort of the NSF. This project is making use of the rich natural resources near Puerto Rico to serve as a source of potentially novel and useful chemicals. Sponges are being collected and extracted, and the biologically active compounds are being purified and characterized. New chemicals isolated in this work will be evaluated as to their biological activity. A systematic study will be undertaken of the phospholipid fatty acids from the burrowing sponges Anthosigmella varians, Chondrilla nucula, Cliona caribboea, Clinoa delitrix, Cliona lampa, Siphonodictyon coralliphagum, and Spheciospongia vesparium in search of biomedically important metabilites. This work represents the first systematic study of isoprenoid phospholipid fatty acids from marine sponges. The origin of these isoprenoid fatty acids is to be determined, i.e., whether the sponge is synthesizing the acids from isoprene units or if they are derived from planktonic or bacterial origin. Parallel to the above mentioned work, a program aimed at isolating other biologically active compounds i.e. cytotoxic agents, from these burrowing sponges is to be initiated. Other tests, as for example, antimicrobial, antitumor, etc., will be performed accordingly. The sponge collection and classification program is being carried out in collaboration with other biologists from the University.
