Young Pupil Finds Potential Cancer-Treating Substance in Geese Feces in School Grounds
Chicago Middle Schooler Discovers Cancer-Fighting Compound in Goose Poop
Camarria Williams, a 13-year-old middle school student from Chicago, has made a groundbreaking discovery: a potentially cancer-fighting compound found in goose feces. Scientists at the University of Illinois Chicago observed this new compound's toxic properties against human skin and ovarian cancer cells.
STEM Program Empowers Local Students
Williams made the discovery while participating in the Chicago Antibiotic Discovery Lab, a 14-week STEM outreach program in partnership with the University of Illinois Chicago and the Boys and Girls Club. The program provides underserved middle and high school students with hands-on experiences in biomedical sciences.
Dr. Brian Murphy, a pharmaceutical sciences researcher, runs the program to inspire the next generation of scientists by teaching students about the drug discovery process. Students analyze data, make decisions in the initial stages of this process, and apply these findings to determine whether samples have useful antibiotic properties.
An Unexpected Source of Breakthrough
After the program, participants collected samples for analysis. While others chose options like lake water, leaves, insects, and flowers, Williams opted for a unique approach – goose droppings near a pond in Chicago. Analyzing her sample, she discovered a bacterium, Pseudomonas idahoensis, capable of inhibiting the growth of certain pathogenic bacteria.
During further testing, researchers found a novel compound in Camarria's sample demonstrating cytotoxic activity against cancer cell lines. This compound, which was named in a paper published in the American Chemical Society's Omega Journal in October, offers hope for new cancer treatment possibilities.
The Future Aims High
Although the compound's likelihood of becoming a drug is minimal, Dr. Murphy emphasized the significance of future research. This study encourages researchers to explore broader natural sources for biomedical innovation, potentially leading to new treatments for diseases like cancer.
Furthermore, the program's impact on the participation and motivation of underserved students signals a promising future for STEM education and biomedical research. The project has shown the benefits of accessible and inclusive STEM initiatives, with the potential to inspire a new generation of scientists.
Camarria Williams, now co-author of the published paper, is already looking forward to her future career in science and plans to contribute more to this innovative field.
- Camarria Williams, a budding scientist at a Chicago middle school, discovered a potential cancer-fighting compound in an unexpected source – goose feces.
- With the help of the Chicago Antibiotic Discovery Lab, a STEM program affiliated with the University of Illinois Chicago and the Boys and Girls Club, Williams made this groundbreaking discovery.
- Participating in the program's 14-week beginnings in biomedical science, she learned about the drug discovery process and applied her knowledge to analyzing various samples.
- Instead of choosing traditional samples like lake water or flowers, Williams decided to analyze goose droppings near a pond in Chicago and discovered a bacteria, Pseudomonas idahoensis, with antibiotic properties.
- Further testing on her sample revealed a novel compound with cytotoxic activity against cancer cell lines, offering hope for new cancer treatment possibilities.
- Now a co-author of a published paper in the American Chemical Society's Omega Journal, Williams looks forward to a future career in science and contributing more to health-and-wellness through education-and-self-development, online-education, and lifelong-learning in the world of science and medical-conditions.
