Dive Into Your Imagination

Dr. Anthony D. Wright is a marine Pharmaceutical Biologist, which means he researches ways to cure diseases using natural ocean products. Find out how sponges, seashells, and sea squirts may help cure illnesses, like cancer!

What is Pharmaceutical Biology, and why did you decide to study this subject?

Pharmaceutical biology is the study of anything to do with the natural world that might apply to drugs (pharmaceuticals). More than half of the drugs available today are related to our natural world. I became interested in this area because it allows me to combine my love of the natural world with my scientific interests!

What do you look for when developing new drugs?

I am searching for natural chemicals that might be useful for the treatment of a variety of diseases, including: cancer, infection, and malaria. This type of research is important because of “multidrug resistance.” Certain diseases are now very difficult to treat with only a few drug choices on the market. Over time, these drugs no longer affect certain diseases.

So it becomes necessary to look for new solutions! How do marine resources fit into all of this?

Marine plants and animals all make interesting chemicals for a variety of different reasons. The most common reason is to protect themselves from being eaten or having their homes invaded. Some chemicals also allow them to “talk” to each other. These chemicals are being investigated for their potential to become useful drugs. To date, there are about 3 drugs on the market that come from the chemistry produced by marine organisms; two from a sponge (Ara-A and Ara-C), one from a tunicate or sea squirt (Yondelis- used in the treatment of cancer), and one from a seashell, known as a cone shell (ziconotide – used in the treatment of pain).

Wow! It is amazing that these underwater creatures have the potential to save many human lives! Why is it important to continue studying natural products?

Natural products are a reflection of millions of years of chemical progress, and pretty much every one of them has a useful function; nature does everything for a reason! This evolution has created so many chemicals that there is probably a chemical available to help us with many problems that we have, especially in health care. If we study these chemicals carefully, we might discover new uses and take advantage of them for the good of everyone!

How does protecting the ocean help protect these products?

To protect natural products means to protect our natural environment. Anything that protects our world and its resources, also protects our natural products.

The more products we protect, the better our chances are of making new discoveries in health care! What do you think is the single most important action someone can do to help protect the ocean, and our planet?

Our world is under an immense amount of pressure from the activities of the human race. Some people believe the consequences of these actions are not going to be reversible, and that we are on a path to an unknown future. It would help if people started to think more about the world and less about themselves. In this way, we will do more for our planet and fellow humans than anyone can imagine!

The ocean plays a huge role in your life – and not just in the lab. Why do you love the ocean?

Pretty much everyone loves the beach, and it is not far from the beach into the water. And it is not far from the water to under the water! Once you realize what there is to see under the water, you never want to come out; it is a world within a world. Here on Hawaii, I go snorkeling at least twice a week with friends and/or colleagues and cannot ever imagine tiring of this chance to look at what is going on under the sea. Around the Big Island, on a daily basis, we have the opportunity to swim with dolphins and sea turtles. After nudibranchs (beautifully colorful sea slugs), these wonderful, playful, and intelligent critters are my favorite ocean animals.

As a scientist, why is it important to use creativity and your imagination?

Your creativity and imagination set your boundaries for what you would like to achieve. The more you let your imagination and creativity run wild, the more innovations you are likely to make. It is also great to think outside the box.

What advice would you give to a budding scientist?

The world is your oyster! There are still great challenges to overcome and great discoveries to be made. So if you are interested in science in any way, do your bit to help make our world a better place for yourselves and the coming generations.

Thank you so much, Dr. Wright! We wish you the best in all of your endeavors. Keep snorkeling!

Biography:

Dr. Anthony D. Wright is an Associate Professor and Chair of the Department of Pharmaceutical Science in the College of Pharmacy, at the University of Hawaii at Hilo. He works with students in the classroom and lab, is responsible for funding research programs, hiring and mentoring faculty, managing research facilities, and supervises lectures and classroom content. Most recently, he was Head of Natural Products Research at the Australian Institute of Marine Science, and for the last 20 years, he has conducted research at numerous universities and authored over 200 publications. He earned his Ph.D. at the James Cook University, in Queensland, Australia, and now calls Hawaii his home.

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