We talk a lot about the biofuel potential of algae around here (1 2 3 4) it seems the stuff is good for other things besides making biofuel.

Imagine a cancer drug inspired by one of nature’s simplest creations – a type of blue-green algae.
It’s not so far fetched.

Scientists at the University of Michigan – led by Life Sciences Institute research professor David Sherman and researcher Zach Beck – believe they have solved one of the stumbling blocks to realizing that vision.

After four years of work, Sherman said he’s hopeful that a pharmaceutical company will take his team’s discovery to the next step, and work with the U-M scientists to develop and test a drug prototype.

Their research was featured on the cover of the January issue of the scientific journal ACS Chemical Biology.

A compound found in blue-green algae, called cryptophycin 1, could be particularly useful in fighting some types of cancerous tumors that are resistant to other drugs.

“It’s a very, very potent anti-cancer compound,” said Sherman, 49, who lives in Ann Arbor. (via)

The scientists are attempting to find a way to extract large amounts of this compound, if they are successful it could create a potent new weapon against cancer. I wish them the best of luck.