Discussion

Identification of natural products from marine fungi with anti-cancer properties
This study covers the isolation, testing and identification of natural products with anti-cancer properties. Secondary metabolites were isolated from fungal strains originating from a variety of marine habitats. Strain culture protocols were optimized with respect to growth media composition and fermentation conditions. From these producers, isolated compounds were screened for their effect on the viability and proliferation of a subset of the NCI60 panel of cancer cell lines. Active compounds of interest were identified and selected for detailed assessments and structural elucidation using NMR. This revealed the majority of fungal derived compounds represented known anti-cancer chemotypes, confirming the integrity of the process and the ability to identify suitable compounds. Examination of effects of selected compounds on cancer associated cell signaling pathways used phospho flow cytometry in combination with 3D fluorescent cell barcoding. In parallel, the study addressed the logistical aspects of maintaining multiple cancer cell-lines in culture simultaneously. A potential solution involving Microbead based cell culture was investigated (Bio-levitator, Hamilton). Selected cell lines were cultured in Microbead and 2-D methods and cell viability tests showed comparable compound inhibition in both methods (R2 = 0.95). In a further technology assessment an image based assay system was investigated for its utility as a possible complement to ATP-based detection for quantifying cell growth and viability in a label-free manner.

Ellinger, B.1; Landskron, J.2; Prashar, A.3; Silber, J.4; Wrigley, S.3; Tasken, K.2; Labes, A.4; Gribbon, P.1
1European ScreeningPort GmbH, Schnackenburgallee 114, 22525 Hamburg, Germany. 2Biotechnology Centre of Oslo, Oslo, Norway. 3Hypha Discovery Ltd., Uxbridge, United Kingdom. 4Kieler Wirkstoff-Zentrum am GEOMAR, Kiel, Germany.