A young marine scientist has discovered never before seen sea sponges off the coast of Tauranga that could signal a new era in the fight against cancer.
The research is one of many projects being unveiled at the biggest marine science gathering this country has ever hosted.
More than 400 scientists, iwi, environmental stakeholders, and Crown research institutes will attend the University of Waikato conference.
Researcher Emma Donald, 22, will present her paper on a remarkable discovery 50 metres below the surface off the Bay of Plenty coastline.
She's found colourful new sponge gardens unlike any other in New Zealand.
"We dropped a camera on a string not knowing if we'd find anything at all and found possibly a dozen new species of sponges," she says.
Compounds found in sea sponges are well known for their healing properties. They've been used in HIV/AIDS treatment, cancer drugs, and are now being investigated in the fight against COVID-19.
"To find these outcrops is a major coup," says Professor Chris Battershill, who was part of an international team of scientists in 1986 who discovered a rare sponge off Kaikoura. It's since been used to create the late-phase breast cancer drug halaven.
"The vast number of sponges Emma found was rare, and I think there's a strong chance [they could help fight cancer] because their siblings in other areas have anti-tumour, antiviral immune suppressant compounds."
Donald says her findings also have implications for the fishing and aquaculture industries.
"We had species from the north coming down on the East Ak current and species from the south coming up from Wairarapa which previously we assumed was happening, but this is the first evidence of that."
The University of Waikato conference will explore the potential to create jobs and a high-value biotech industry in New Zealand but Battershill says "the race is on" to also protect our marine ecosystems from threats, including land runoff, pollutants, sea temperature rise, and ocean acidification.
Samples of Donald's new sea sponges, one which resembles a floating mushroom and the other a yellow spider's legs, will now be carefully collected and analysed.
Any potential for them to be used in the fight against cancer is both personal and poignant because Donald's father Malcolm died of brain cancer two years ago.
