Title: Plant-Based Anticancer Pharmaceuticals – From Discovery to Final Products
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- Date & Time: January 5, 2024 & 8:30 am
- Location: University of Science – VNUHCM
- Registration Link: https://forms.gle/jUW2kP2WoyxojpX59
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Abstract:
Plants produce myriads of nitrogen-containing heterocyclic metabolites called alkaloids. These chemicals have served numerous eco-physiological functions in the plants as well as medicines for humans for thousands of years. For instance, semi-synthetic derivatives of camptothecin, an alkaloid from happy tree (Camptotheca acuminata), are potent anticancer agents such as topotecan (Hycamtin) and irinotecan (Camptosar). The presentation will focus on recent discoveries of new enzymes that are involved in biosynthesis of anticancer alkaloids, with a specific focus on camptothecin hydroxylases and the use of combinatorial chemoenzymatic C-H functionalizations to produce a suite of anticancer drugs, including topotecan (Hycamtin®) and irinotecan (Camptosar®). Our work aims to shed new light on camptothecin metabolism and represents greener approaches for accessing clinically relevant camptothecin derivatives.
Additional Insights:
Dr. Dang Thu Thuy will delve deeper into her experiences at the University of British Columbia, offering valuable insights into her academic journey. Additionally, she will provide essential information on scholarship opportunities, offering guidance on securing funding for international studies. A special focus will be placed on the exploration of interdisciplinary research.
Speaker: Dr. Thu Thuy Dang
- Assistant Professor & Michael Smith Health Research Foundation Scholar in Biochemistry at UBC, Okanagan.
- Former postdoctoral fellow (EMBO) at John Innes Centre, UK.
- PhD in Biochemistry from the University of Calgary.
- Renowned for solving the biosynthetic pathway of the anticancer compound noscapine.
