Volume 25 Number 5 2008

This Highlight covers the chemical and biological studies regarding a set of polyketide inhibitors of eukaryotic protein synthesis related to the marine-derived cytotoxic agent tedanolide.
DOI: 10.1039/B805700c

Volume 25 Number 4 2008

Marine benthic organisms from coral reefs that use chemical defenses against predators and competitors. Clockwise from top left: the benthic cyanobacterium Lyngbya confervoides; the tube worms Spirobranchus sp. living on Diploria strigosa; the sponge Niphates amorpha overgrowing the stony coral Siderastrea siderea; juveniles of the nudibranch Phyllidiella granulatus feeding on the sponge Acanthella cavernosa. This article reviews many recent examples of marine benthic organisms that use natural products for defense. Images by Raphael Ritson-Williams.
DOI: 10.1039/B702742G

Volume 25 Number 3 2008

Sponges have the unique property of being able to synthesize silica enzymatically. They use this product for the formation of their spicules, which form solid constructions as in the glass sponge Euplectella illustrated here.
DOI: 10.1039/b612515h

Volume 25 Number 2 2008

A schematic representation of the macrocyclic marine natural product diazonamide A overlaid on a typical tropical seascape. Credit for the background image: Office of Oceanic and Atmospheric Research(OAR)/National Undersea Research Program (NURP).
DOI: 10.1039/b705663j

Volume 25 Number 1 2008

Didemnum molle from the Great Barrier Reef, Australia. Photograph taken by Marcel Jaspars.
DOI: 10.1039/b800827m