Red Sea Deep Corals Shine a Light on Cancer Treatment

Red Sea Deep Water Corals Expedition and Southampton Univesrsity "Under the Microscope"

A group of scientists deep diving the Red Sea have not only discovered that deep water corals can glow but that these can contribute to the human health sector and be of potential value in new cancer treatment developments. 

Nature communicated on June 24th on the findings of the study presented by experts of the UK University of Southampton, Tel Aviv University and the Interuniversity Institute for Marine Sciences  IUI, Israel. The findings of the team were published in PLos ONE.

Scientists discovered corals emitting yellow, orange and red in fluorescent tones. 

“The study is the first to find such an array of fluorescent colours in deep-water corals,” Jörg Wiedenmann -molecular biologist at the University of Southampton stated. 

Wiedenmann hinted that corals at different depths may change colours because they use fluorescent proteins for different purposes. 

IB Times reported that the team specifically took to the study of corals found 50 metres below surface waters. 

Scientists were shocked to find a wide range of bioluminescent color emissions since the same reed closer to the surface only emits green fluorescent. Deep water corals nourishing in a different environment have adapted to glow and genetically combine different elements than those that surface corals combine to produce the glows. 

Coral glowing is still a mystery to science. Different theories have been put forward on why certain corals glow. Relationship with UV, ecological adaptation, symbiotic algae relationships, inter-specie differentiation and ecological protection are some of the theories put forward. 

In another interesting light-coral relationship corals are also stricken with beaming rays to study element absorption rate related to climate change. 

But the glowing deep-sea corals of the Red Sea are being eyed for another potential. 

Phys Org reported that the researchers are studying the findings “as they identify potential for coral pigments to be developed into new imaging tools for medical applications”. 

"These fluorescent pigments are proteins. When they are illuminated with blue or ultraviolet light, they give back light of longer wavelengths, such as reds or greens,” Jörg Wiedenmann acting as Head of the University of Southampton's Coral Reef Laboratory explained.

“They could also be applied to track cancer cells or as tools to screen for new drugs...Their optical properties potentially make them important tools for biomedical imaging applications...their fluorescent glow can be used to highlight living cells or cellular structures...under the microscope," Wiedenmann added. 

Express UK reported that “rainbow corals” could help in the fight against cancer, the development of new drugs and the tracking of cancer cells. 

On an non-directly connected investigation Southampton University communicated on new cancer treatment methods. On June 23rd the University reported that empowering the body's immune system is proving to be of potential use in the search for a cancer cure. 

“We’re beginning to treat cancer in a whole new way. Rather than killing cancer cells directly with chemo or radiotherapy, the latest treatments are designed to promote the body’s natural immune control over the disease,” Southampton University stated. 

The University recognizes that many challenges are found in the new way of treatment but that some cases are showing promise and some even dare to say “cures”. 

Immunotherapy details listed by the University call the attention in this line of thought. Words such as “mobility of the immune system”, “ability to patrol the whole body”, “recognition ability of cancer cells wherever they are”, “evolve and adaptation capabilities”, “tracking and blocking cancer cells downs” and “memory protection” are some of the concepts tied to the new treatment.  

The Southampton University Professor Wiedenmann speaking on the findings made in the deep-water corals of the Red Sea assured that the potential of the discovery shines bright under the microscope. 

"They (the proteins pigments of the deep-water corals) could also be applied to track cancer cells or as tools to screen for new drugs,”  Wiedenmann concluded. 

Earth Justice reported that deep-sea corals in the Mid-Atlantic Coast are also gaining momentum. The Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council voted to protect, manage and conserve the deep-sea coral environment. 

Bans for destructive trawl, dredge, and longline fishing in a 38,000 square mile swath of ocean off the Mid-Atlantic coast were issued. Within the protected environment rare deep-sea corals have been discovered. 

“This action protects an estimated 95% of documented deep sea corals and other habitat identified by scientists as places corals are likely to exist in the Mid-Atlantic region,” Earth Justice one of the organizations among a coalition of groups that included Pew Charitable Trusts, NRDC, and Wild Oceans, who fought for these protections stated.

Gal Eyal, PhD candidate at the IUI who participated in the Red Sea expedition spoke about the importance of diving developments and new diving technology in the efforts of studying deep water environments. 

“Corals from these so-called mesophotic reefs are less well studied since they are beyond the depth limits of standard scuba diving techniques. Advances in technical diving have enabled us to explore coral communities from these deeper waters,” Eyal stated- 

"We were not expecting to see any red colouration around. To our surprise, we found a number of corals showing an intense green or orange glow,” the amazed diver stated.