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Uses of Sea Urchin in Medicine

Sea urchins are echinoderms that occur in every ocean depth and climate. There are more than 6,000 species of the invertebrate. Although there are many types, the purple sea urchin, or Strongleocentrotus purpuratus, has been extensively studied. The genes of purple sea urchins have been mapped by scientists, revealing that these creatures share many genes with humans. The study of sea urchins is leading to new breakthroughs in medical science.

  1. Human Fertility Research

    • The study of sea urchins is being used to further research in human reproduction. Because many of the amino acid sequences in the DNA of humans and sea urchins match, they may lead to clues about how to help with such an issue as infertility. Sea urchins can each produce 20 million eggs; the reasons for this virility may lead to new insights in infertility in humans. Scientists have discovered that sea urchins regulate their reproduction by using a special combination of carbohydrates and proteins. New understandings in sea urchin fertilization could lead to developments in human fertility interventions as well as contraception.

    Disease Research

    • Sea urchins have been used to further the research of many diseases that affect humans. Sea urchins and humans share more than 7,000 genes. By mapping sea urchin DNA, scientists have unlocked information about how human diseases may form. Some of the genes in the sea urchin are related to Parkinson's Disease, diabetes insipidus, cancer and muscular dystrophy. Understanding how these genes develop and change in sea urchins may lead to better understanding of the treatment and course of the diseases that affect humans. The successes of the sea urchin's immune system are also of interest to medical researchers.

    Pharmaceutical Research

    • Sea urchins are being studied for possible advances in medications. Sugar chains in sea urchins are similar to some forms of algae that have possible medical uses in antiviral medications and anticoagulants.

    Genetic Research

    • Sea urchins have contributed to the study of human genetics. Scientists use the urchins to study gene regulatory networks. These networks are genes that work together to control the expression of traits. This research could lead to better understanding of how to suppress diseases as well as the special properties of stem cells.

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