From starfish slime to medical treatment
Lurking in the seas of Scotland is an unlikely candidate for a medical breakthrough - the starfish.
Scientists believe the creatures could be vital in finding new treatments for inflammatory conditions such as asthma, hay fever and arthritis.
The species they are interested in is the spiny starfish (Marthasterias glacialis) because of the slimy goo that covers its body.
Dr Charlie Bavington, from Glycomar, a marine biotechnology company based at the Scottish Association for Marine Science, told Rebecca Morelle how this slime is produced.
09 Dec 2010
- From the section Science & Environment