UVISION 1.1

Mycosporine-like amino acids (MAAs) are formed and/or utilized by a variety of organisms, including microorganisms, algae, and invertebrates, living primarily in marine environments. In particular, MAAs are synthesized upon exposure to solar radiation and are characterized by exceptionally strong absorption of ultraviolet (UV) radiation. They are believed to act as sunscreens, although their function is not limited to this. The knowledge about the properties of these unique natural substances is still very limited, even though their activity profiles have aroused the interest of pharmaceutical and biomedical research already. However, more detailed studies have been hampered by the limited availability of MAAs. In the UVISION project, we aim to investigate the natural chemical diversity of marine MAAs with respect to their potential to protect sensitive tissues such as the human cornea from UV-induced damage. Based on the methodological experience and developments from two previous FWF projects, this proposal uniquely combines the expertise of scientists from different fields. The interdisciplinary project team, involving researchers from the Medical University of Innsbruck, the University of Innsbruck, the University of Rostock, the Leibniz Institute for Catalysis and the Paderborn University, benefits from a unique expertise in different fields: marine biology and phycology, pharmacognosy and phytochemistry, medical biochemistry and toxicology, as well as chemical synthesis. The goals are to expand the knowledge of the chemical diversity of MAAs in previously unexplored marine sources, to decipher the action profile of these potent natural UV filters using human cell lines, and to provide a guide for their chemical synthesis and purification.