Skip to content
- IIT Madras and IIT Mandi researchers modified plant cells to increase the production of anti-cancer drug camptothecin.
- The anti-cancer drug camptothecin (CPT) is produced from an endangered plant named Nathapodytes nimmoniana.
- Around 1,000 tonnes of plant material is required to produce 1 tonne of CPT.
- The plant population has declined by 20% and it is on the red list of IUCN.
- Researchers from the Plant Cell Technology Lab of IIT Madras have developed a genome-scale metabolic model for N. nimmoniana plant cells.
- This research has been funded by the Science and Engineering Board (SERB) and the Department of Science and Technology.
- This research could pave the way for the drug’s effective and efficient commercial production and reduce the need to cut down this endangered plant.
error: Content is protected !!
