At long last I can make a positive comment to a question raised on Conch-L
by my dear friend Carole Marshall.

I produced an exhibit for the London Shell Show in October 2002 entitled
'The Pholididae Saints or Sinners' which contrasted the damaged caused by
this family, with the benefits that are now derived  in the medical field
using the chemiluminescence exhibited by  The Common Piddock- Pholus
dactylus.

Two English doctors Jan and Robert Knight isolated the chemiluminescent
protein (sometimes called a photoprotein). found in this mollusc and called
it Pholasin® . They farmed the mollusc and produced  blood analysis kits,
which are now being used internationally

The photoprotein  Pholasin®  reacts in the presence of free radicals and
other oxidants from the cells, such as white blood cells.   These reactive
oxygen species (ROS), are produced by cells in the body as a way of getting
rid of foreign invaders, such as bacteria.  At sites of  inflammation, such
as in an inflamed joint,  the same kind of white blood cells accumulate in
billions and produce ROS as well as releasing enzymes that damage the body.

There are over 100 diseases in which free radicals are implicated in one way
or the other. These include diabetes, cancer, heart disease.  This
development is proving more and more useful each day, it is a harmless
method of assessing the bodies reaction to medical treatment.

Dr Jan and Robert Knight must be complimented on the enterprise that they
have shown, especially as they set out from the start  to farm and not to
harm the natural environment.  In fact they are planning to re-establish
some natural sites that have been ruined by anti-fungal paintsetc.,

Their website [log in to unmask] is well worth a visit, as there is a
lot of information and referances on this subject that can be downloaded.

Stanley Francis.
Belfast