A Chicago high school student has helped discover a surprising ingredient that could protect against cancer.
Camarria Williams collected goose droppings near a pond in Chicago’s Garfield Park as part of a scientific project in collaboration with the University of Illinois at Chicago.
Surprisingly, laboratory tests revealed that guano contained a never-before-seen compound that slowed the growth of human and ovarian melanoma cancer cells.
As a result of her findings, Camarria has been included as a co-author of an article published in the scientific journal ACS Omega.
She was one of a few high school students enrolled in a 14-week science program focused on growing antibiotics from bacteria discovered in natural sources.
The children, ages 11 to 14, chose several things in their environment to sample bacteria, including lake water, insects, flowers, a playground slide, and even an air conditioning filter.
In total, they collected 40 samples and performed more than 5,500 tests.
Of these, some were chosen for further analysis and the most promising were ultimately selected by UIC graduate students and postdoctoral mentors.
Camarria Williams collected goose droppings near a pond in Chicago’s Garfield Park as part of a scientific project in collaboration with the University of Illinois at Chicago.
The successful sampling of Camarria goose droppings revealed a new compound that scientists had not seen before.
More efforts are now being made to determine how the compound works to kill cancer cells.
Other compounds are also being tested in goose droppings for their antibiotic activities.
Jin Yi Tan, a UIC graduate student who helped develop the program to engage youth from underserved neighborhoods in STEM education, said the results were exciting.
She explained: “Some of the samples had antibiotic properties that were already known; they had been discovered previously.”
“Children are still very excited when we tell them that we have found an active antibiotic molecule in their sample.”
The scientist said it was also rewarding to see the students gain confidence throughout the program.
“I think the most rewarding part for me is seeing the progress as the kids gain self-confidence over time,” she said.
Laboratory tests revealed that the guano contained a never-before-seen compound that slowed the growth of human melanoma and ovarian cancer cells.
‘Yes, I can program things. I can do this. I chose these samples.’
In the study, the UIC researchers write that the discovery demonstrates that “it is possible to integrate educational awareness programs with the discovery of high-quality natural products.”
While Camarria safely collected the goose droppings as part of his science project, the CDC recommends avoiding touching bird guano as a precaution against bird flu.
It warns: ‘As a general precaution, people should avoid direct contact with wild birds and observe them only from a distance, where possible.
‘Do not touch sick or dead birds, their feces or droppings, or any surface or water source (e.g., ponds, waterers, buckets, pans, waterers) that may be contaminated with their saliva, feces, or any other unused body fluids. personal protective equipment (PPE).’