What is the process called for searching for useful natural compounds in the living reef ecosystem?
Bioprospecting
The systematic search conducted in environments rich in undiscovered biological resources, such as a healthy coral reef, for compounds that hold potential for medicinal application is termed bioprospecting. This scientific endeavor focuses on identifying and isolating the complex biochemicals produced by marine organisms—including corals, algae, and associated fauna—which they utilize for defense, communication, or structural integrity. These unique compounds serve as valuable starting points, or scaffolds, for medicinal chemists developing new drugs targeting areas like infection, inflammation, or oncology. The success of bioprospecting is directly tied to the biodiversity of the ecosystem being studied, meaning that the potential for discovering future antibiotics or novel pain relievers is locked within the viability of the living reef structure itself.
