Ideas worth spreading

The deep sea's medicinal secrets

1,968,209 views |

Sam Afoullouss |

TEDxGalway

• November 2021

Under the sea, untold wonders await in the form of untapped medicinal potential. Chemist Sam Afoullouss dives into the science behind natural remedies, explaining why the ocean's great (and still largely unexplored) biodiversity is ideal for deriving and inspiring future treatments -- if we protect its waters and the marine life within them.

Under the sea, untold wonders await in the form of untapped medicinal potential. Chemist Sam Afoullouss dives into the science behind natural remedies, explaining why the ocean's great (and still largely unexplored) biodiversity is ideal for deriving and inspiring future treatments -- if we protect its waters and the marine life within them.

This talk was presented to a local audience at TEDxGalway, an independent event. TED's editors chose to feature it for you.

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About the speaker

Sam Afoullouss

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From the creepy crawly critters in the back garden to the curious creatures in rock pools along the shoreline, Sam Afoullouss has always had a curiosity to explore and understand the natural world.

| Explore

Exploiting and conserving deep-sea genetic resources

This is the official website for the deep-sea research project I am a part of. We will be updating this webpage to include all publications, posters, presentations and educational videos.

Bill J. Baker | CRC Press, 2016 | Book

Marine Biomedicine: From Beach to Bedside

This book covers the whole process of searching and collecting marine organisms, isolating the potential medicines, testing them against diseases and finally manufacturing them as a pharmaceutical product.

| Explore

Irish West Coast Sea Life

A website run by myself and two colleagues where we publish photos of the various creatures found in Irish waters and their associated dive sites.

Sam Afoullouss , Anthony R. Sanchez, Laurence K. Jennings, Younghoon Kee, A. Louise Allcock and Olivier P. Thomas | Marine Drugs, 2022 | Article

"Unveiling the Chemical Diversity of the Deep-Sea Sponge Characella pachastrelloides"

Danielle Skropeta and Liangqian Weid | Natural Product Reports, 2014 | Article

"Recent advances in deep-sea natural products."

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This talk was presented to a local audience at TEDxGalway, an independent event. TED's editors chose to feature it for you.

Read more about TEDx.

Join Seasearch, volunteer divers and snorkellers working together for marine conservation.