Healing Oceans opened on 30 September at the Iziko South African Museum

The majority of medicines come from natural resources and usually from land-dwelling organisms. However, as the demand grows for discovery of novel industrial enzymes and new medicines, researchers are increasingly looking towards the ocean. The marine environment is an excellent resource that comprises a diversity of aquatic plants and animals from which some organisms are still unknown. These organisms are known to have concealed therapeutic potential and are known for antibiotic, antiviral, anti-inflammatory, anticancer, anti-fungal, anti-obesity, Immuno-protective activities. Marine invertebrate groups that have shown potential include groups such as sponges, tunicates, ascidians, bryozoans, octocorals, and some molluscs, annelids, and echinoderms. This exhibition concept builds on our knowledge of examples of local marine invertebrates that contain medicinal compounds that are effective in the treatment of diseases such as cancer. The exhibition will highlight these organisms and form part of our Marine Week activities for 2022. The exhibition will also highlight some of the lesser-known groups of marine invertebrates in the Marine Biology collections at the Iziko South African Museum.