生物多样性、生物勘探与发展杂志

Genetic resources are an invaluable treasure trove of biological diversity found in various ecosystems around the world. These resources contain the genetic information necessary for the development of new medicines, crop varieties, and industrial products. Bioprospecting, the exploration of genetic resources for commercial purposes, has emerged as a promising field in harnessing nature's potential. This article provides an overview of genetic resources, their importance, and the utilization of these resources in bioprospecting. It explores the challenges associated with accessing genetic resources and the need for fair and equitable benefit-sharing arrangements.

Bioprospecting, the search for valuable compounds in living organisms, and bio-discovery, the process of identifying and harnessing these compounds, have emerged as powerful tools for drug development and industrial applications. Natural products derived from plants, animals and microorganisms have been a significant source of bioactive compounds with therapeutic potential. Bioprospecting encompasses the systematic collection of samples from different environments, including forests, oceans and even extreme habitats like hot springs and deep-sea hydrothermal vents. These samples can be further processed to isolate and identify the active compounds. Traditional methods involve extraction, fractionation and purification techniques, coupled with bioassays to assess the biological activities of the isolated compounds. Modern techniques such as genomics, proteomics and metabolomics have revolutionized the field by enabling the rapid screening and identification of potential drug candidates.