Could ancient salt-loving microbes found only in salt flats herald a new kind of biomedicine? Could their sun-protective antioxidative reactions be harnessed in the development of new treatment options for hard-to-treat cancers like triple-negative breast cancer?
In today’s episode, we are transported to Spain to delve into the fascinating world of haloarchaeal carotenoids.
Join our Host Rachael Babin in conversation with Professor Rosa María Martínez-Espinosa, whose research group recently discovered the potent antioxidant activity of haloarchaeal carotenoids found in the Santa Pola salt flats, just outside of Alicante.
Papers & Resources:
Giani, M., G. et al. Haloarchaeal carotenoids exert an in vitro antiproliferative effect on human breast cancer cell lines. Sci Rep 13, 7148 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-023-34419-x. Access online here.
Moopantakath J, et al. Bioactive molecules from haloarchaea: Scope and prospects for industrial and therapeutic applications. Front Microbiol. 2023 Mar 31;14:1113540. doi: 10.3389/fmicb.2023.1113540. PMID: 37065149; PMCID: PMC10102575. Access online here.
Martínez-Espinosa RM, et al. Editorial: Environmental omics and their biotechnological applications. Front Microbiol. 2023 Mar 9;14:1165558. doi: 10.3389/fmicb.2023.1165558. PMID: 36970666; PMCID: PMC10034361. Access online here.
Professor Rosa María Martínez-Espinosa’s PubMed Profile
A/Prof Mike Dyall-Smith’s University of Melbourne Profile
Guest + Host:
Professor Rosa María Martínez-Espinosa
Rosa María Martínez-Espinosa
Rosa María Martínez is a Professor of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, and Director of the Applied Biochemistry Research Group at the University of Alicante, in Spain.
Her interests lie in the characterisation of the molecular biology and biochemistry of enzymes involved in N cycle in haloarchaea and other extreme microbes as well as in the study of biomolecules that can be used as biomarkers for diagnosis or monitoring of diseases.
Rachael Babin
Rachael Babin
Rachael Babin is Host of The Oncology Podcast, Editor-in-Chief of The Oncology Newsletter, and Publisher of Oncology News Australia and The Oncology Network.
With a background in oncology communications and academic publishing, Rachael is happiest sitting behind the mic chatting to interesting people about the impact their work makes in oncology.
Connect with us on Twitter here: @OncologyNewsAus
