Natural Product Reports, Issue 1, of 2004 is a special issue on marine natural products published in memory of Professor John Faulkner, recognising his outstanding contribution both to the field of marine natural products and the journal. Since 1984, each year John's review of marine natural products was the most highly cited article in Natural Product Reports.

Marine organisms, such as phytoplankton, algae, sponges and molluscs, exhibit a broad range of defence mechanisms, facilitated by a wealth of marine natural products. These chemicals have provoked significant interest in the biomedical research community, in particular, those in pursuit of HIV-inhibitors and new anti-cancer, anti-fungal and anti-bacterial agents. Growth has been rapid - John's first review included just under 200 marine natural products, known at that time. In contrast, the most recent article by John Blunt et al. in this special issue (covering research published in 2002 alone) reports a staggering 677 new compounds.

The special issue contains the last review by John Faulkner, begun before his death and completed by David Newman and Gordon Cragg. It focuses on the wealth of marine natural products from a single tiny atoll in the central South Pacific Ocean, the Island of Palau, a biodiversity hotspot. His colleagues, collaborators and those working in similar areas of research have contributed reviews on topics such as marine chemical ecology, biosynthesis, symbiosis and the implications of marine natural products research on drug discovery.

This excellent issue is available for individual purchase, priced at £25/$35.