FROGS (No not the French!)

Pete's Points

I always knew it was a good idea to protect frog habitat - now I am convinced.

The government of Trinidad should immdiately pass legislation to protect this frog species and of course claim them as a national treasure and put a patent on their heads. That way the drug companies would probably have to pay the government of Trinidad royalties or come to some other arrangement that would benefit the citizenry.

Frog froth to treat wounds

Robin McKie, science editor
Sunday August 20, 2006
The Observer

The Tungara frog of Trinidad is an amphibian of unusual habits. When females lay eggs in ponds, their mates build huge balls of froth around them. These act as nests that protect their delicate, developing offspring. But those froth balls are proving to be very special.

Scientists have found that they contain a new type of detergent, as well as anti-microbial agents. Researchers are trying to isolate and develop this chemical to make new drugs and medicines.

'This material is amazing,' said Professor Malcolm Kennedy, of Glasgow University's biology department. 'You could imagine using this stuff as an emergency spray on soldiers injured by shell blasts or on burns victims. It could provide immediate protection for the wound and stop infections spreading.

'These frogs lay their eggs in stinking pools bursting with microbes. Yet none of their eggs gets infected, thanks to the froth that the frogs create. This not only prevents microbial growth, but holds its structure for many days. It is astonishing stuff.'