2021 PAINT THE PAPER PINK

2021 PAINT THE PAPER PINK LINCOLN DAILY NEWS Oct./Nov. 2021 Page 53 The next step will be to test the compound to ensure that it is not toxic to humans, something the researchers are optimistic about since the shrub it came from has been used as a traditional medicine in a number of cultures. Already, researchers from other entities have reached out to test the compound on the cancers they study, bringing hope for renewed therapeutics for treating the disease. “Many of our most successful cancer drugs have come from nature,” Dai said. “A lot of the low-hanging fruit, the compounds that are easy to isolate or synthesize, have already been screened and picked over. We are looking for things no one has thought about before. Once we have the chemistry, we can build the molecules we’re interested in and study their biological function.” This research was funded through grants from the National Institutes of Health and the National Science Foundation. Patent application U.S. 63/084,594 covers this finding. About Purdue University Center for Cancer Research At the Purdue University Center for Cancer Research, our mission is basic discovery — discovery that is the foundation for innovative cancer solutions. PCCR leverages Purdue’s strengths in engineering, veterinary medicine, nutrition science, chemistry, medicinal chemistry, pharmacy, structural biology and biological sciences to establish its foundational base. As a National Cancer Institute-designated cancer center, PCCR is making significant contributions to emerging technologies, such as cancer vaccines and combination chemotherapy. We specialize in translational research that saves lives by translating laboratory findings into new and innovative therapies as quickly as possible. Our mission is discovery. Our goal is to cure cancer. About Purdue University Purdue University is a top public research institution developing practical solutions to today’s toughest challenges. Ranked the No. 5 Most Innovative University in the United States by U.S. News & World Report, Purdue delivers world-changing research and out-of- this-world discovery. Committed to hands-on and online, real-world learning, Purdue offers a transformative education to all. Committed to affordability and accessibility, Purdue has frozen tuition and most fees at 2012-13 levels, enabling more students than ever to graduate debt-free. See how Purdue never stops in the persistent pursuit of the next giant leap at https://purdue.edu/. [Writer: Brittany Source: Mingji Dai]