A study published in the journal Nature Chemical Biology announced a breakthrough in cancer treatment. Scientists from the University of Utah Health have succeeded in producing a chemical found in soft corals that shows promise in the treatment of cancer. Soft coral’s DNA was decoded so scientists could produce this chemical.
MADE IN A LABORATORY ENVIRONMENT
With the decoding of the DNA code, the production of the anti-cancer chemical in the laboratory was achieved. Research by the second research group by the Scripps Institution of Oceanography at the University of California San Diego also showed, independently, that corals synthesize related molecules. Both studies were published May 23 in the journal Nature Chemical Biology.
THE MIRACLE IN CORALS
Anti-inflammatory, antibiotic, etc. in soft corals. There are many drug components. Associate Professor at the University of Utah. Dr. Eric Schmidt notes that thanks to this new method, these compounds in coral are now accessible. Corals are not the only harbor for potential treatments. Some chemicals carried by animals such as snakes and spiders can also have healing properties.
But compounds in corals have their own advantages, says Schmidt. Unlike toxic chemicals in predators, chemicals in corals are meant to keep other animals away from them. The chemicals in soft corals are easily eaten and digested. Medicines made from these compounds can be easily taken into pills and swallowed.
IT WILL BE USED IN CANCER TREATMENT
Their work will now focus on missing steps to describe the compound, identifying the best route needed to produce this potential drug in large quantities. Researchers think that this drug will one day cure the problems of cancer patients. (Real Science)