Research Interests Organic Chemistry, Marine Chemistry, Natural Products A primary goal of Phillip Crews' marine natural products research is to understand the chemistry of tropical marine sponges. Using bioassay-guided isolation assists us in the discovery of natural products potent against human diseases such as cancer or viruses. Our search for novel active compounds incorporates elements of structure elucidation but there are other dimensions to this research, including questions in the areas of chemical ecology, marine natural products biosynthesis, and the relationship between secondary metabolite chemistry and taxonomy. Added to these interests are emerging projects which examine sponges as a source of new cultured marine microorganisms. We are also interested in examining sponges that are rich with cyanobacterial symbionts.