THE UNIVERSITY DAILY KANSAN
MONDAY, AUGUST 17, 2009
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SCIENCE
Components of fungi may help fight cancer
BY HANNAH DECLERK
hdeclerk@kansan.com
Berli Oakley, professor of molecular biology, has developed a process to activate genes of the fungus aspergillus nidulans that may yield compounds effective in treating diseases and cancer. Some of these compounds, such as penicilline, lovastatin and terrequinone, are already used for medicinal benefit.
A research team at the University has discovered a potential cancerfighting mechanism in fungi compounds.
Fungi have been a long-time component of finding cures for disease.
Chance Dibben/KANSAN
A team of researchers, including Berl Oakley, the Irving S. Johnson distinguished professor of molecular biology, is studying a chemical reaction known as secondary metabolism. Oakley said secondary metabolism
tion in fungi that allowed the fungi to eliminate surrounding organisms. For example, if the fungi in soil is surrounded by other organisms, then the fungi naturally compete with the organisms and
"It is clear that fungi do make anti-cancer compunds."
become larger and stronger. Oakley said that because of the secondary metabolism, fungi had become medically useful, allowing the fungi to adapt and eliminate harmful surrounding bacteria.
Oakley and his research team have taken the method a step further by taking out certain genes in the fungi allowing the team to study the products of secondary metabolism in a lab setting.
"What we are studying may seem incredibly boring, but it is not," Oakley said. "Fungi kill cells naturally. In doing so, these cells have compounds that kill dividing cells, then they could selectively kill cancer cells."
Oakley and his research team did just that by discovering ways to manipulate the genes in a lab setting.
BERL OAKLEY
Professor of molecular biology
Chromatin, which consists of various proteins, is packed tightly around the DNA, Oakley said, making it difficult to genetically study the fungi in a lab setting. By removing the tight compact, the researchers can control the genes in the DNA to study how the products of secondary metabolism are made.
Tetsuya Horio, associate research professor, returned to the University from Japan to be a part of Oakley's research team. He said the team could analyze proteins because it found a sequence in the genome migration.
Oakley said that past researchers thought there was nothing more to
discover about secondary fungi, but that the way the genes were sequenced made it clear to the team that there was much more to learn.
A recent discovery involved medical compounds found in terrequinone, a component
found in the studied fungi that has strong anti-tumor activity.
The potential cancer-fighting components in the fungi have a very high potential of becoming a useful agent, especially in chemotherapy. Oakley said.
"It is clear that fungi do make anti-cancer compounds. By using our genetic approach we have an advantage to studying different paths." Oakley said.
Former chancellor Robert Hemenway said he had high expectations for the University's cancer research.
"I am excited about the medicinal and chemical research that happens at the University," Hemenway said. "I think our effort is going to be one of the strongest in the country for cancer-fighting."
The project was initiated by Oakley at Ohio State University, his former employer, but is now run at a lab in Hayworth Hall. Oakley's research is part of a $4 million, 5-year project funded by the National Institute of Health. Nancy Keller of the University of Wisconsin and Clay Wang of the University of Southern California also collaborated on the project.
As of now, the University just pays the team regular professor fees, Oakley said.
- Edited by Justin Hilley
"The research is a good deal for the University," Oakley said. "If our research continues to become promising, then they receive extra money plus very positive recognition."
Chance Dibben/KANSAN
According to Berl Oakley, professor of molecular biology, fungi, such as aspergillus nidulans shown here, may be manipulated to produce potentially beneficial compounds called fungal secondary metabolites.
JOBS (CONTINUED FROM 13)
application, she would look at it soon afterward.
"I figure if they called and asked, I'll go in and at least look at them," Hartley said.
Greg Weseloh, Liberty, Mo., senior, had a productive job search. He turned in five to 10 applications at the beginning of the summer and was offered three jobs. He said persistence, showing up to every interview and sending cover letters set him apart from other applicants.
"I have a lot of friends who have
been looking for jobs since the start of summer and are just now finding them." Weseloh said.
He said the more enthusiasm employers saw, the more interested they would be.
Employees of businesses on Massachusetts Street had divided opinions on whether they saw more application requests.
Sarina Geist, manager of Java Break, 17 E. Seventh St., said that she had seen an increase in application requests, but that it was normal
"Footwork is really important," Geist said. "You can't look for a job lazily."
for this time of the year. She said students needed to get out there and stop making phone calls about open positions.
Hartley said one of the difficulties with working off campus was that employers didn't always work around students' academic schedules.
"Here on campus if you have finals, depending on the office you're with, there's usually some flexibility with
your work schedule," Hartley said.
Jacque Lumsden, 2009 graduate, said she had been looking for part-time jobs for a few months, and after applying to five different jobs, started working at the KU Bookstore. She said making connections with people helped her get the job.
"Whenever I was a student I was involved with Student Union Activities and I got to know a lot of people in the Union," Lumsden said.
Hartley said a good habit was to check back at job sites for new postings frequently because they could change daily. She said there were usually more on-campus jobs posted in August because that was when most offices started hiring.
"What I'm afraid of is some people will try for a while and they're not getting any results so they just kind of quit trying," Hartley said. "Whereas, I think if you stick with it at least you'll have a better shot of finally getting something."
— Edited by Justin Hilley