Associate Program 1: Sample Collection and Culture of Microorganisms

Associate Program Leaders: Thomas A. Kursar and Phyllis D. Coley
Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute (STRI) and University of Utah

Collaborators: Elizabeth Arnold (University of Arizona)

AP1 is responsible for the collection, culture and chemical extraction of fungi and other microorganisms found in tropical plants and marine algae. AP1 provides crude extracts to the other APs for drug discovery efforts in the areas of cancer, CNS diseases, tropical parasitic diseases, and agriculture needs. AP1 provides critical coordination with the other components of this ICBG drug discovery effort, and engages in outreach and training of an international biomedical workforce.

Aims:

1. To collect, culture, extract and inventory microorganisms with potentially relevant medicinal and agricultural uses.
2. To coordinate the distribution of samples to ICBG APs, as well as industrial and university collaborators.
3. To use microorganism extracts for analysis in a panel of bioassays.
4. To maintain a central database of collections, bioassay and chemistry results.
5. To conduct outreach activities to disseminate information about Panamanian biodiversity.
6. To provide training and technology transfer to Panamanians.

Personnel:

* Thomas A. Kursar (Plant Physiologist, STRI and University of Utah)
* Phyllis D. Coley (Plant Ecologist, STRI and University of Utah)
* Elizabeth Arnold (Mycologist, University of Arizona)
* Sarah Higginbotham (STRI)

Indira Martinez (microbiologist)
Liliana Iturrado (biologist)
Larissa Segundo (chemist)