Developing new antifungal compounds from a New Zealand marine sponge to fight fungal infections

Fungal infections are an underappreciated threat to human health globally, killing more people each year than either tuberculosis, breast cancer, or malaria – many times over. Worryingly, fungal-infection rates are rising as climate change makes it easier for fungi to spread around the globe. At the same time, more fungi are developing resistance to commonly used antifungal compounds, preventing effective treatment. Finding new ways to fight invasive fungi is therefore becoming a top priority in biomedical research.

Compounds made by the ear sponge, Aciculites pulchra, were recently discovered to have strong antifungal activity. In this Marsden Fund Standard grant, Associate Professor Keyzers will study how these peptides inhibit fungal growth, and whether they might be effective against treatment-resistant fungi. Professor Keyzer’s team will also test if their structures can be reproduced in the laboratory, a critical step towards commercialisation and clinical use. Finally, the team aims to continue building relationships with iwi and hapū from Te-Moana-a-Toitehuatahi the Bay of Plenty, where the ear sponges were collected, to ensure that their role as kaitiaki of these taonga is respected as research progresses.

Team photo (left to right): Assoc. Prof. Rob Keyzers, Dr A. Jonathan Singh, Ms. Ruth Pay, Dr. Andrew Munkacsi, Dr. V. Helen Woolner, Distinguished Prof. Dame Margaret Brimble (photos supplied)

From this amazing natural discovery, this research aims to unlock a whole new class of medicines, bringing both economic prosperity and life-saving treatments to Aotearoa New Zealand and beyond. Move over, cartoon character SpongeBob Tarau Porowhā (Square Pants) – Aotearoa might have a new homegrown favourite.