Ocean Health: Human Health

Sustaining Our Seas

海洋中充满了生命，有可能为人类面临的一些最具破坏性的疾病提供治疗方法. 海洋生物医学和生物技术研究是FAU海港分校的标志，拥有持续的联邦资助和国际声誉. 我们的科学家仔细研究了在珊瑚礁内和周围发现的来自动植物的天然化学物质和化合物, resulting in promising drugs and therapeutics for the future. 虽然水生环境是治疗的来源，但它也可能是疾病的来源. 对于不断变化的环境条件和有害藻华(HABs)如何影响生态系统和人类健康，目前还没有充分的了解. FAU港口分部对这个问题进行了研究，评估了真正的风险.

To improve human health, we must protect ocean health. Since 1984, KU体育官网APP海港分校海洋生物医学和生物技术研究(MBBR)项目的研究人员仔细检查了深海珊瑚和海绵中的天然化学物质, as well as the microorganisms that live within them, for treatments to antibiotic resistant infections and aggressive cancers. 通过这项重要工作确定的有前途的药物和治疗方法使FAU港口分部MBBR计划及其主要标本收集得到了国际认可.

虽然水生环境是治疗的来源，但它也可能是疾病的来源. 对于不断变化的环境条件、污染(如.g., 营养物质和塑料)以及有害藻华(HABs)等事件会影响生态系统和人类健康.

The Issue

For centuries, 人们指望大自然来治疗人类面临的一些最具毁灭性的疾病. It’s imperative that we not only continue exploring potential cures, but also protect these species and ecosystems, and with them, the potential cure for multiple cancers, before they are lost.

Today, 市场上近70%的药品来源于天然产品, 大多数海洋天然产物都是通过研究海绵发现的.

People have only investigated a small fraction of the nearly 9,000 described species of sponges for their therapeutic potential, 这意味着我们还没有在海底发现许多潜在的药物.

• 15,000 waterbodies in the U.S. have nutrient-related problems
• 50 out of 50 states are impacted by nutrient pollution
• Reported drinking water violations for nitrates have nearly doubled in the last decade
• Only a small fraction of the nearly 9,000 sponges have been investigated
• Many of the pharmaceuticals on the market are derived from sea sponges

FAU Harbor Branch Taking Action

FAU港口处的工作结合了多年的专业知识，以解决两个突出问题: 了解日益恶化的环境状况对人类健康的威胁 and discovering and safeguarding potential therapeutics from the oceans.

Discovering and Safeguarding Potential Cures

FAU港口分部的研究人员收集了不同寻常的海洋生物，其中许多来自深水栖息地，它们是新型天然产品的来源. 我们关注的是海洋植物、无脊椎动物和与它们生活在一起的微生物. 我们的药物发现项目主要寻找癌症和传染病的治疗方法, but we also collaborate with scientists working on malaria, tuberculosis, neurodegenerative disease and inflammation. Additionally, we look for compounds to combat antibacterial resistance, one of the most pressing problems for future generations.

Understanding Threats of Declining Environmental Conditions to Human Health

FAU港口分部成立了佛罗里达海岸和人类健康中心(FCCHH)，以满足尚未满足的科学需求，增加对我们环境中有害藻华和其他毒素和污染物的认识, with the goal of improved mitigation and informed policy. fchh结合领先的专业知识和多学科研究来处理这一复杂问题. 科学家们正试图通过分析藻华期间存在的藻类化学物质来确定它们是如何产生的，并评估它们的毒性，从而了解导致赤潮等事件导致水质退化的动力学. 他们的研究还集中在有毒化合物如何在沿海食物网中转移，从而影响大型动物, like sharks, rays and sea turtles, and ultimately have direct impacts on human health.

Decades of rapid population growth, 自然区域的丧失和水流的改变已经造成了该州有记录的生态变化. Our coastal regions face challenges like warming temperatures, 海平面上升和有害藻华(HABs)的增加以及其他重大健康威胁. HABs can impact the health of people who breathe air near, consume seafood, work and recreate in waters from affected areas. According to the United States EPA:

• 50 out of 50 states are impacted by nutrient pollution
• 美国各州已经确定了大约15000个与营养有关的水体
• 据报道，在过去十年中，饮用水硝酸盐超标的数量几乎翻了一番

Our Outcomes

• Continue to test and discover drugs to treat cancer and other illnesses, as well as combat antibiotic resistance
• 增加我们对有毒藻华的认识，目标是缓解并为政策提供信息

Why Give Today?

KU体育官网APP海港分校海洋学研究所正在迅速发展. Now is the time to expand our impact through private philanthropic support. 该研究所正在增加对核心项目的资助，这些项目将对佛罗里达州及其他地区的关键海洋问题产生重大而及时的影响. FAU Harbor Branch has strong partnerships with government officials, 国防部和世界各地领先的研究机构. 这些关键的联系和伙伴关系确保我们向决策者通报科学以及如何最终减轻对海洋和沿海环境的影响.

How You Can Help

With your help, 我们可以解决未来最紧迫的问题之一——保护脆弱的生态系统和野生动物. With your support, 我们可以进一步开展研究工作，提高我们对野生动物及其威胁的认识, as well as develop new methods and technologies for research.

Thank you for considering supporting this critical research area. FAU海港分部将我们的捐助者视为帮助我们实现愿景的重要合作伙伴: “Ocean Science for a Better World.^®”

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