In their research article -- De novo synthesis of a sunscreen compound in vertebrates-- Osborn, Almabruk, Holzwarth et al. found that zebrafish are able to produce a chemical called gadusol that protects against UV radiation. They successfully reproduced the method that zebrafish use by expressing the relevant genes in yeast. The findings open the door to large-scale production of gadusol for sunscreen and as an antioxidant in pharmaceuticals.
“The fact that the compound is produced by fish, as well as by other animals including birds, makes it a safe prospect to ingest in pill form,” says Professor Taifo Mahmud, lead author of the study.
Examples of media coverage written about the study can be found below;
- This Fish Can Make Its Own Sunscreen (TIME)
- Why Would A Fish Make Its Own Sunscreen? (NPR)
- Maybe someday, sunscreen you can take in a pill (Washington Post)
- Study finds many animals naturally produce their own sunscreen (Fox News)
- Fish Make Their Own Sun Protection (The Scientist)
- Fish Can Make Their Own Sunscreen (IFLScience)
- Natural sunscreen that works from the inside out? (CBS News)
