'Sea squirt' on ocean's bottom may help cure melanoma

A “sea squirt” living at the bottom of the ocean may help scientists find a cure for melanoma, the most dangerous type of skin cancer, researchers at the Desert Research Institute in Reno, Nevada, said.

A compound made from a marine invertebrate called Synoicum adareanum has promising anti-melanoma properties, scientists led by Alison Murray of the Desert Research Institute believe, the National Science Foundation reported.

Primitive, sac-like marine mammals, the sea squirts feed on plankton while living attached to ocean bottoms around the world.

This particular Antarctic ascidian contains “palmerolide A.” Scientists told the National Science Foundation they’ve found anti-melanoma properties in this bioactive compound and believe bacteria associated with Synoicum adareanum.

"Our longer-term goal is to figure out which of the many bacteria in this species are producing palmerolide, but to do this, there is a lot we need to learn about the microbiome of S. adareanum," Murray told the National Science Foundation. "Our new study describes the many advances we've made toward that goal."