Cancer Cure
Among medical researchers it has been thought for some time that the toxic chemicals that sponges emit as a form of protection against predators, c--Type Title Here--ould also be used in humans as a form of chemotherapy. Well, a scientist, Dr. Jef De Brabander at UT Southwestern was the first person to identify a chemical in the sponge which could be used to fight cancer.
In nature there are many toxic chemicals that different plants and animals produce, but many of these chemical do not have a desired effect on cancer cells. Many have no effect on the cancer cells, or they may kill all cells they come in contact with, even the desired cells. But, the chemical found in a marine sponge off the coast of Australia seems to be exactly what cancer researchers have been looking for.
But, there's a problem! This particular sponge is extremely rare and there is very little natural supply to be found. Therefore, Dr. De Brabander must be able to synthetically (man-made) make the chemical in a lab, so that there will be enough of a supply to help cancer patients throughout the world. Also, be making the chemical in the lab he will be able to study the chemical thoroughly to determine all the effects of the chemical on patients.
So, don't get to excited and think that a cancer cure is right around the corner. This is still being experimented with and there are many regulations which must be followed before the drug could be available for doctors to administer to chemotherapy patients. But, hopefully, help is on the way.
Good luck Dr. De Bradander!!!
|