After decades of focusing on synthetic drugs, scientists are finally turning back to the plants, fungi and soil from which most modern medicines are derived
Wading through the swamp made my prosthetic leg chafe, but I gritted through the discomfort. It was this past July, and I was leading a team of 11 students and scientists through a steamy nature preserve in southwest Georgia to hunt for plants. The muck was thick, but the swamp was beautiful: Knobby-kneed cypress trees stood like wizened sentries over clusters of lush green ferns.
My team moved in unison to clip bits of plants, press them into sheets of paper and stuff them into large collection bags. Later, in my research lab at Emory University, we would test their chemical compounds against antibiotic-resistant pathogens. The possibility of developing new drugs from elements of nature such as our leaf clippings is important for everyone, but it’s personal for me; after losing my leg as a child, I nearly died as a result of postsurgical infection.
South Africa Latest News, South Africa Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
The 4 Biggest Surprises Hidden in This Mind-Blowing DollhouseThe 4 Biggest Surprises Hidden in This Mind-Blowing Dollhouse
Read more »
Promising Data on New COVID-19 TherapeuticsWhat do we need to know about drugs that treat COVID and how accessible they are to people who may need them? WebMD Chief Medical Officer drjohnwhyte speaks with Dr. William Schaffner of VUmedicine.
Read more »
3 Indigenous chefs share their favorite fall recipes and their cultural significance'By utilizing these ingredients, we honor ourselves with the traditional medicine they bring to our bodies and spirits,' said Kimberly Tilsen-Brave Heart.
Read more »
18 plant and gardening activities in L.A. that'll get you in the holiday spiritA listing of plant-related events and activities in the L.A. area from mid-November through January.
Read more »
Robert Plant and Alison Krauss Announce Summer 2022 TourRobert Plant and Alison Krauss will be on tour together for the first time in 13 years next summer when they team up for a joint outing in the U.S. and Europe behind a new album that comes out toda…
Read more »