Discodermia dissoluta is a species of deep-water sea sponge found in the Eastern, Southern, and Southwestern Caribbean, as well as in the Greater Antilles.

This sponge is of particular interest to bio and organic chemists due to its production of a potent chemical compound called (+)-discodermolide, which has potential therapeutic applications for cancer treatment.

[2][3] (+)-Discodermolide was first isolated and characterized in 1990 by researchers at Harbor Branch Oceanographic Institution, who noted its remarkable structural complexity and unique mechanism of action.

The discovery of (+)-discodermolide sparked significant interest in the potential therapeutic applications of natural products derived from marine organisms, and led to extensive research into the biochemical properties and pharmacological effects of this compound.

Studies have demonstrated that (+)-discodermolide exhibits potent cytotoxicity against a wide range of cancer cell lines, including those resistant to other chemotherapeutic agents.