Topic: Chemists at times look to plants, sea life and other natural sources for the bas

[sam]

Chemists at times look to plants, sea life and other natural sources for the basic ingredients needed to develop the next breakthrough medicine. Unfortunately, nature is not always willing to easily part with its secrets, forcing scientists to rely on sophisticated imaging technology—nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy or mass spectrometry, for example—to decipher the molecular formula of newly discovered organic compounds so they can be replicated in the lab.

http://www.scientificamerican.com/article.cfm?id=compound-conundrum-chemists-turn-to-modified-microscope-to-fathom-deep-sea-mystery-molecule

[Simon]

As these molecules are unknown, and unidentified, I wonder what makes them think they would do us any good?

[sam]

you never know, that's why.

[Clive]

Indeed.  It's very exciting to explore the chemistry of Nature as it can lead to many beneficial synthetic chemicals which may not otherwise have been thought of.  

[Simon]

If they've not thought of it, how do they know what they're looking for? 

[sam]

that's what I do everyday...

[Clive]

If they've not thought of it, how do they know what they're looking for? 

That's what scientists are paid to do.     I reckon Sam earns his keep.