Chemistry is everywhere and it helps us to understand the world around us. From materials, over biological processes to energy conversion. New breakthroughs in chemical research can have an impact on how we see the wold in the fundamental or derive new application for our everyday lives. In this podcast I talk to scientists and about their innovations in chemistry and the reactions behind them.
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Chemistry is everywhere and it helps us to understand the world around us. From materials, over biological processes to energy conversion. New breakthroughs in chemical research can have an impact on how we see the wold in the fundamental or derive new application for our everyday lives. In this podcast I talk to scientists and about their innovations in chemistry and the reactions behind them.
The beginning and challenges of Natural Products in cancer treatments
Innovate and React
25 minutes 31 seconds
1 week ago
The beginning and challenges of Natural Products in cancer treatments
This episode of Innovate and React explores the fascinating history of natural product research and its pivotal role in developing life-saving cancer treatments. The journey begins in the 1950s and 60s with the National Cancer Institute's efforts to screen thousands of plant extracts for biological activity. Through the stories of landmark compounds like camptothecin and Taxol, Kevin illustrates the complex collaboration required between botanists and chemists to isolate active ingredients from nature and transform them into viable medical therapies.
The episode delves into the origins of Taxol, originally discovered in the bark of the Pacific Yew tree. You will learn about the significant hurdles researchers faced. From the tedious workup to supply chain restrictions caused by harvesting bark from slow-growing trees. Find out how chemists made Taxol a marketable drug and overcame these problems.
Innovate and React
Chemistry is everywhere and it helps us to understand the world around us. From materials, over biological processes to energy conversion. New breakthroughs in chemical research can have an impact on how we see the wold in the fundamental or derive new application for our everyday lives. In this podcast I talk to scientists and about their innovations in chemistry and the reactions behind them.