Exploring the chemical potential of archived corals for new medicines

Natural Product Mining of Archived Corals

NIH-funded research University of South Florida · NIH-11139749

This study is looking at old coral samples in museums to find natural chemicals that could help create new medicines, especially for patients who might benefit from new treatments.

Quick facts

Grant typeR21 grant
Study typeNIH-funded research
Funding institutionUniversity of South Florida NIH-funded
Lab location1 site (Tampa, United States)
Project IDNIH-11139749 on NIH RePORTER

What this research studies

This research investigates the chemical compounds found in archived coral specimens stored in natural history museums. By utilizing advanced analytical techniques, the project aims to identify and characterize bioactive natural products that could lead to new medical treatments. The study focuses on underrepresented marine organisms, particularly octocorals, which have not been extensively analyzed for their chemical properties. Patients may benefit from potential new therapies derived from these natural products if successful.

Who could benefit from this research

Good fit: Ideal candidates for participation or benefit from this research include individuals with conditions that could be treated by novel bioactive compounds, such as cancers or cardiovascular diseases.

Not a fit: Patients with conditions unrelated to the potential therapeutic applications of marine natural products may not receive any benefit from this research.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to the discovery of new medications derived from marine natural products that may treat various diseases.

How similar studies have performed: Other research has shown promise in discovering new medications from marine organisms, indicating that this approach could yield significant results.

Where this research is happening

Tampa, United States

Researchers

About this research

  1. This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
  2. Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
  3. For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.
Last reviewed 2026-06-13 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.