Words by Abi Scaife
A new type of cancer treatment, dubbed ‘click chemistry’ is having great success.
Amazing! Tell me more.
This new weapon against cancer was previously only possible through protein engineering, which is an incredibly complicated process.
Alternatively, ‘click chemistry’ - called that because the molecules click together like LEGO bricks - is a much simpler approach and will help target cancer much quicker.
What else should I know?
The research was a collaboration between University College London and Stanford University, and bodes well for treating cancer in the future.
Dr Peter Szijj from UCL Chemistry said: “Click chemistry is a quicker and more adaptable way to build these multifunctional anti-cancer agents than protein engineering. It’s relatively easy to attach click ‘handles’ to proteins so you can try lots of combinations quickly to test what might work best. Using protein engineering, you need a separate mechanism for each component.”
Charity check-in
At Smiley Movement, we like to elevate the work of charities across the world. Here are three charities whose causes align with the themes in this article.
Macmillan Cancer Support. They provide specialist health care, information and financial support to people affected by cancer. Learn more here.
Cancer Research UK. This charity provides information for anyone affected by any kind of cancer. Support them here.
Maggie’s. Offers free practical, emotional and social support to people with cancer and the people important to them. Find out more here.
This article aligns with the UN SDG Good Health and Wellbeing.
