Could pond scum hold the key to curing cancer?
Once biological materials have been extracted from the algae, Steve Swanson, associate professor and assistant head for research in medicinal chemistry and pharmacognosy, will lead a team to investigate for cellular targets like proteasome, an organelle that breaks down proteins within cells. Swanson explained, “Cancer cells are known to be particularly sensitive to proteasome inhibitors. Another assay is designed to discover agents that inhibit the enzyme histone deacetylase, which plays a key role in gene expression and is often dysregulated in cancer cells.” Simply put, the researchers hope to either find proteasome organelles within the algae that will break down cancerous cells, or an agent that will stop cancer cells from multiplying. In addition to pond scum, plants from tropical countries will be collected and analyzed by Doel Soejarto, a professor of pharmacognosy, to see if they can unlock new therapies for cancer. While there is no way of knowing if the research will be met
