http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-north-east-orkney-shetland-21352836
6 February 2013
BBC SCIENCE & ENVIRONMENT
Sharks are one of the most ancient species on the planet.
Researchers, who are investigating and finding a medical cure for cancer are now developing a new drug. Their findings are based on the shark's immune system. They found structures called variable novel antigen receptors (VNARs) which are able to help cure cancer.
The University of Aberdeen, which is working on this drug, has received financial support and backing from the Scottish Enterprise and the Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council. They awarded them the money, 1.5 m pound, to develop man-made proteins, which are very closely related and similar to the structures found in sharks.
By now, the investigating team has created more than 10bn of the before named molecules and that their drug library is very very useful. The amount of molecules, which they produced, can be compared with the structures of 10,000 sharks. So basically, they have access to all of these molecules without having to keep on single shark in an aquarium.
Professor Andy Porter said : " We are excited and delighted with the support we have received from Scottish Enterprise and BBSRC for our research."
Professor Stephen Logan, senior vice principal of the University of Aberdeen, believes that this is a very useful and exciting research, which will help the drug discovery and of course on Aberdeen's reputation.
All of the researchers believe that the invented molecules and technology have huge potential and the only challenge which they are left with is, to create a company out of this located in Scotland
I personally believe that this is a huge development. Finding a drug which helps fight against cancer is awesome. And doing this, by not needing to keep the sharks in a small tank is even better. They can help cure cancer and at the same time they do not expose the sharks to any harm, they just had to find the molecule.
I once read some article which said that the cure for cancer should be found by 2030 and I was pretty skeptical, but seeing this made me doubt it less. I really hope what they found is actually 100% useful, and it's great that the way they're dealing with the sharks is ethical as well!
ReplyDeleteAnother article that I have read in the past, was also about the shark's powers to fight cancer. They actually sell shark cartilage on the market which is given to cancer patients. I brought a bunch from the states for our friends mom and she took that and it helped her to feel a bit better.
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