A team of UNBC researchers has received a boost to continue their work studying local mushrooms as potential sources of cancer treatment.
A contract research agreement with Genome British Columbia provides $52,000 to support the work of biochemistry professor Dr. Chow Lee and his group as they search for and catalogue the properties of local mushroom species.
As a part of the more-than-two-year-old project, researchers harvest a variety of wild mushroom species found across northern B.C. and then use different solvents to extract specific mushroom compounds and generate something called fractions. Those fractions are tested to see if they have any cancer-fighting properties.
Specifically, researchers are looking for mushroom fractions that can either block cancer cell growth on their own or can help stimulate the immune system and act as a catalyst to help the body fight cancer.
"History has taught us that there are many useful medicinal compounds from mushrooms," said Lee, in a press release.
"Yet, it is estimated that only 10 per cent of mushroom species on Earth on known. This means that mushrooms are a major untapped source of new, potentially powerful and natural pharmaceutical products."
Genome British Columbia's Strategic Opportunities Fund supports projects that are competitive, peer-reviewed and include additional funding partners. UNBC is providing matching funds - for a total of $104,172 - through a seed grant form the Office of Research and research project awards from the Office of Graduate Programs.
