Middle Schooler Discovers New Compound in Goose Poop
2024-12-12
A middle school student, participating in a research program with a local university, discovered a novel compound, orfamide N, in a goose poop sample collected from a park. While not responsible for the initial observed antibiotic activity of the bacteria, orfamide N inhibited the growth of human melanoma and ovarian cancer cells in lab tests. This research demonstrates the success of combining educational outreach with natural product discovery, highlighting the importance of university-community partnerships. The project provided invaluable hands-on experience for the student, showcasing the potential of young scientists.
(phys.org)