Young students from the James R Jordan Boys and Girls Club in Chicago made a groundbreaking discovery while studying goose poop in a local park. The students, under the supervision of researchers from the University of Illinois and Professor Brian Murphy in Chicago, identified a potential anti-cancer drug. The students participated in a STEM program that turned them into bona fide biomedical scientists before they even entered high school. Students carefully isolated a bacterium from goose droppings that showed antibiotic activity. The findings were published in the journal ACS Omega, with student Camarria Williams as co-author.
Professor Murphy's research laboratory is focused on discovering antibiotics from natural sources, and the cohort of young scientists participated by providing environmental samples from their local communities.
According to one press release by the American Chemical Society, one of 14 samples of goose poop collected from the Garfield Park Lagoon contained a strain of bacteria called Pseudomonas idahoensis. The students interpreted the bacteria's bioassay data and concluded that it had antibiotic activity and produced a never-before-seen compound.
The university researchers then determined the molecular structure of the compound using nuclear magnetic resonance and mass spectrometry, named it orfamide N after the family of molecules to which it belongs, and examined its biological activity.
Although orfamide N was not responsible for the antibiotic activity the team initially observed in P idahoensis, in culture tests the compound inhibited the growth of human melanoma and ovarian cancer cells. Further studies could reveal other beneficial properties of this newly characterized molecule, as evidenced by ACS release.
The researchers say this work proves that it is possible to combine educational activities with natural product discovery research, and it highlights the importance of a strong relationship between universities and their local communities.
The work of these students is an inspiring example of how curiosity and learning can lead to important breakthroughs, even in unexpected places. Camarria Williams, a student, was listed as a co-author on the findings, which were published in the journal ACS Omega.