[Applause] by a show of hands who in the audience
by a show of hands who in the audience
by a show of hands who in the audience has been affected by cancer has been a
has been affected by cancer has been a
has been affected by cancer has been a caregiver or knows someone who has
caregiver or knows someone who has
caregiver or knows someone who has cancer Wow
cancer Wow
cancer Wow like many of you I too have someone in
like many of you I too have someone in
like many of you I too have someone in my life who’s been affected by cancer
my life who’s been affected by cancer
my life who’s been affected by cancer back in 2013
back in 2013
back in 2013 my cousin Karthik received admission
my cousin Karthik received admission
my cousin Karthik received admission into a top-flight research university in
into a top-flight research university in
into a top-flight research university in Great Britain to obtain his PhD he was
Great Britain to obtain his PhD he was
Great Britain to obtain his PhD he was so excited not knowing any friends or
so excited not knowing any friends or
so excited not knowing any friends or family he got on a plane alone to embark
family he got on a plane alone to embark
family he got on a plane alone to embark on the next step of his academic journey
on the next step of his academic journey
on the next step of his academic journey within a few weeks of Karthik settling
within a few weeks of Karthik settling
within a few weeks of Karthik settling in to his new life in Great Britain he
in to his new life in Great Britain he
in to his new life in Great Britain he noticed some weakness in his right arm
noticed some weakness in his right arm
noticed some weakness in his right arm and started having difficulties in
and started having difficulties in
and started having difficulties in simple tasks such as brushing his teeth
simple tasks such as brushing his teeth
simple tasks such as brushing his teeth and taking notes in class worried he
and taking notes in class worried he
and taking notes in class worried he sought out medical advice and soon
sought out medical advice and soon
sought out medical advice and soon enough the university physicians had
enough the university physicians had
enough the university physicians had diagnosed him with cancer
diagnosed him with cancer
diagnosed him with cancer I remember how devastated Karthik
I remember how devastated Karthik
I remember how devastated Karthik sounded when he called to tell me the
sounded when he called to tell me the
sounded when he called to tell me the bad news the only thing that crossed my
bad news the only thing that crossed my
bad news the only thing that crossed my mind was what his younger brother was
mind was what his younger brother was
mind was what his younger brother was feeling thinking about the possibility
feeling thinking about the possibility
feeling thinking about the possibility of losing his hero and best friend all
of losing his hero and best friend all
of losing his hero and best friend all alone 5,000 miles away from his family
alone 5,000 miles away from his family
alone 5,000 miles away from his family in a country that he barely knew karthik
in a country that he barely knew karthik
in a country that he barely knew karthik started his long fight against cancer
started his long fight against cancer
started his long fight against cancer beginning with an aggressive round of
beginning with an aggressive round of
beginning with an aggressive round of chemotherapy as karthik entered into his
chemotherapy as karthik entered into his
chemotherapy as karthik entered into his long battle with cancer in Great Britain
long battle with cancer in Great Britain
long battle with cancer in Great Britain I was then entering into a new phase of
I was then entering into a new phase of
I was then entering into a new phase of my life the seventh grade you know
my life the seventh grade you know
my life the seventh grade you know everyone has a favorite class and
everyone has a favorite class and
everyone has a favorite class and favorite teacher in middle school and
favorite teacher in middle school and
favorite teacher in middle school and for me that was mrs. Susan Hanbury and
for me that was mrs. Susan Hanbury and
for me that was mrs. Susan Hanbury and seventh grade biology the
seventh grade biology the
seventh grade biology the information-packed lectures and hands-on
information-packed lectures and hands-on
information-packed lectures and hands-on experiments had for the first time
experiments had for the first time
experiments had for the first time exposed me to the wonders of plant
exposed me to the wonders of plant
exposed me to the wonders of plant science and botany at the ripe age of 11
science and botany at the ripe age of 11
science and botany at the ripe age of 11 this initial exposure opened my eyes to
this initial exposure opened my eyes to
this initial exposure opened my eyes to the possibilities of nature and science
the possibilities of nature and science
the possibilities of nature and science very quickly leading to an internship at
very quickly leading to an internship at
very quickly leading to an internship at the Department of plant biotechnology at
the Department of plant biotechnology at
the Department of plant biotechnology at Fort Valley State University I was only
Fort Valley State University I was only
Fort Valley State University I was only less a shadow and
less a shadow and
less a shadow and various experiments taking place during
various experiments taking place during
various experiments taking place during my first year at the lab but my desire
my first year at the lab but my desire
my first year at the lab but my desire to actually perform the experiments I
to actually perform the experiments I
to actually perform the experiments I was seeing to do the things I was
was seeing to do the things I was
was seeing to do the things I was observing led to an invitation to come
observing led to an invitation to come
observing led to an invitation to come back the following year
back the following year
back the following year it’s a pursuer research project of my
it’s a pursuer research project of my
it’s a pursuer research project of my own the following year I conducted my
own the following year I conducted my
own the following year I conducted my first official set of experiments in the
first official set of experiments in the
first official set of experiments in the plant reproductive biology field oh boy
plant reproductive biology field oh boy
plant reproductive biology field oh boy let me tell you that was a mess the
let me tell you that was a mess the
let me tell you that was a mess the number of plants I killed the number of
number of plants I killed the number of
number of plants I killed the number of glass beakers I broke and the number of
glass beakers I broke and the number of
glass beakers I broke and the number of tools I misplaced anyway so during this
tools I misplaced anyway so during this
tools I misplaced anyway so during this project I discovered why two medicinal
project I discovered why two medicinal
project I discovered why two medicinal plants are going extinct in nature which
plants are going extinct in nature which
plants are going extinct in nature which is actually a really fun project while
is actually a really fun project while
is actually a really fun project while performing these experiments I also
performing these experiments I also
performing these experiments I also learn numerous other skills and
learn numerous other skills and
learn numerous other skills and techniques such as tissue culture
techniques such as tissue culture
techniques such as tissue culture scanning electron microscopy southern
scanning electron microscopy southern
scanning electron microscopy southern blotting and PCR and not to mention the
blotting and PCR and not to mention the
blotting and PCR and not to mention the most crucial skills of picking up broken
most crucial skills of picking up broken
most crucial skills of picking up broken glassware and disposing of dead plants I
glassware and disposing of dead plants I
glassware and disposing of dead plants I thought I was the luckiest person on
thought I was the luckiest person on
thought I was the luckiest person on this earth to have at my fingertips all
this earth to have at my fingertips all
this earth to have at my fingertips all of this cutting-edge scientific
of this cutting-edge scientific
of this cutting-edge scientific instrumentation throughout all of this
instrumentation throughout all of this
instrumentation throughout all of this thoughts of Karthik’s battle with cancer
thoughts of Karthik’s battle with cancer
thoughts of Karthik’s battle with cancer and great britain constantly hovered in
and great britain constantly hovered in
and great britain constantly hovered in the back of my mind one of the plants I
the back of my mind one of the plants I
the back of my mind one of the plants I worked with at the time was known as
worked with at the time was known as
worked with at the time was known as Bukoba Maneri which is found all over
Bukoba Maneri which is found all over
Bukoba Maneri which is found all over the world it’s killed as a weed and
the world it’s killed as a weed and
the world it’s killed as a weed and regarded as a nuisance in many parts of
regarded as a nuisance in many parts of
regarded as a nuisance in many parts of the globe but do you know what else is
the globe but do you know what else is
the globe but do you know what else is regarded as a nuisance but as far
regarded as a nuisance but as far
regarded as a nuisance but as far deadlier consequences glioblastoma
deadlier consequences glioblastoma
deadlier consequences glioblastoma multiforme a also known as GBM now if
multiforme a also known as GBM now if
multiforme a also known as GBM now if you’ve heard of this deadly form of
you’ve heard of this deadly form of
you’ve heard of this deadly form of brain cancer it’s because the same
brain cancer it’s because the same
brain cancer it’s because the same disease that is taking the lives of Beau
disease that is taking the lives of Beau
disease that is taking the lives of Beau Biden former Vice President Joe Biden’s
Biden former Vice President Joe Biden’s
Biden former Vice President Joe Biden’s son as well as former senator Ted
son as well as former senator Ted
son as well as former senator Ted Kennedy GBM is also the same cancer that
Kennedy GBM is also the same cancer that
Kennedy GBM is also the same cancer that current Senator John McCain has recently
current Senator John McCain has recently
current Senator John McCain has recently been diagnosed with this disease does
been diagnosed with this disease does
been diagnosed with this disease does not discriminate between the old and the
not discriminate between the old and the
not discriminate between the old and the young or anywhere in between so let me
young or anywhere in between so let me
young or anywhere in between so let me tell you a little bit more about GBM it
tell you a little bit more about GBM it
tell you a little bit more about GBM it is the most aggressive and deadliest
is the most aggressive and deadliest
is the most aggressive and deadliest form of cancer found in the brain
form of cancer found in the brain
form of cancer found in the brain g.b.m patients have an average survival
g.b.m patients have an average survival
g.b.m patients have an average survival time range from 7 to 15 months and
time range from 7 to 15 months and
time range from 7 to 15 months and they’re very limited effective
they’re very limited effective
they’re very limited effective treatments available imagine someone
treatments available imagine someone
treatments available imagine someone being told by their doctor that they
being told by their doctor that they
being told by their doctor that they have GBM and even with the best
have GBM and even with the best
have GBM and even with the best treatments available they only have 15
treatments available they only have 15
treatments available they only have 15 months to live
months to live
months to live imagine that long ride home telling
imagine that long ride home telling
imagine that long ride home telling their parents telling their spouse
their parents telling their spouse
their parents telling their spouse telling their kids now imagine that
telling their kids now imagine that
telling their kids now imagine that there’s a plant out there a simple weed
there’s a plant out there a simple weed
there’s a plant out there a simple weed that could potentially be used to treat
that could potentially be used to treat
that could potentially be used to treat this lethal disease and that is exactly
this lethal disease and that is exactly
this lethal disease and that is exactly where Bukoba Maneri comes back into play
how did I draw a relationship between
how did I draw a relationship between GBM and Bukoba the answer lies in my
GBM and Bukoba the answer lies in my
GBM and Bukoba the answer lies in my plant research days at Fort Valley State
plant research days at Fort Valley State
plant research days at Fort Valley State it was there that I learned about
it was there that I learned about
it was there that I learned about terpenoids a group of organic compounds
terpenoids a group of organic compounds
terpenoids a group of organic compounds found in the plants I was researching at
found in the plants I was researching at
found in the plants I was researching at the lab many of these compounds have
the lab many of these compounds have
the lab many of these compounds have been shown to have beneficial effects on
been shown to have beneficial effects on
been shown to have beneficial effects on human ailments
human ailments
human ailments for example numerous terpenoids have
for example numerous terpenoids have
for example numerous terpenoids have been shown to have anti-cancer
been shown to have anti-cancer
been shown to have anti-cancer properties on a host of various cancer
properties on a host of various cancer
properties on a host of various cancer cell types specifically a terpenoid
cell types specifically a terpenoid
cell types specifically a terpenoid known as back aside a has been shown to
known as back aside a has been shown to
known as back aside a has been shown to be present in bukoba Maneri the plant
be present in bukoba Maneri the plant
be present in bukoba Maneri the plant which i’ve been working with over the
which i’ve been working with over the
which i’ve been working with over the past few years then it clicked so I had
past few years then it clicked so I had
past few years then it clicked so I had to actually perform this experiment so
to actually perform this experiment so
to actually perform this experiment so to do this I discussed an experimental
to do this I discussed an experimental
to do this I discussed an experimental framework with my mentors and the
framework with my mentors and the
framework with my mentors and the hypothesis I reached to was that since
hypothesis I reached to was that since
hypothesis I reached to was that since mokuba Maneri contains terpenoids such
mokuba Maneri contains terpenoids such
mokuba Maneri contains terpenoids such as back aside a and such terpenoids
as back aside a and such terpenoids
as back aside a and such terpenoids have been shown in time anti-tumor
have been shown in time anti-tumor
have been shown in time anti-tumor properties perhaps Bokova Maneri
properties perhaps Bokova Maneri
properties perhaps Bokova Maneri could also exhibit anti-tumor properties
could also exhibit anti-tumor properties
could also exhibit anti-tumor properties on GBM brain tumor cells to test the
on GBM brain tumor cells to test the
on GBM brain tumor cells to test the experiment after discussing this
experiment after discussing this
experiment after discussing this experimental framework with my mentors
experimental framework with my mentors
experimental framework with my mentors at Fort Valley State and karmanís
at Fort Valley State and karmanís
at Fort Valley State and karmanís Cancer Institute I developed a project
Cancer Institute I developed a project
Cancer Institute I developed a project procedure the actual experimentation was
procedure the actual experimentation was
procedure the actual experimentation was done in two major series of steps step
done in two major series of steps step
done in two major series of steps step one was to actually produce a leaf
one was to actually produce a leaf
one was to actually produce a leaf extract from Bukka women re at Fort
extract from Bukka women re at Fort
extract from Bukka women re at Fort Valley State essentially I walked over
Valley State essentially I walked over
Valley State essentially I walked over to the greenhouse harvested leaves from
to the greenhouse harvested leaves from
to the greenhouse harvested leaves from the plants of Baca women re and produced
the plants of Baca women re and produced
the plants of Baca women re and produced a crude leaf extract
a crude leaf extract
a crude leaf extract step two was to actually apply this
step two was to actually apply this
step two was to actually apply this extract on to the GBM brain tumor cells
extract on to the GBM brain tumor cells
extract on to the GBM brain tumor cells now I couldn’t just a sprinkle some
now I couldn’t just a sprinkle some
now I couldn’t just a sprinkle some bacopa powder onto some GBM cells rather
bacopa powder onto some GBM cells rather
bacopa powder onto some GBM cells rather there was a complex application process
there was a complex application process
there was a complex application process which involved culturing GBM cells
which involved culturing GBM cells
which involved culturing GBM cells creating and diluting working solutions
creating and diluting working solutions
creating and diluting working solutions of Bukoba applying diluted solutions of
of Bukoba applying diluted solutions of
of Bukoba applying diluted solutions of bukoba onto GBM cells and finally
bukoba onto GBM cells and finally
bukoba onto GBM cells and finally obtaining results three WS t1 tetras or
obtaining results three WS t1 tetras or
obtaining results three WS t1 tetras or reduction assay microplate photometry
reduction assay microplate photometry
reduction assay microplate photometry reading now I know that may have sounded
reading now I know that may have sounded
reading now I know that may have sounded like quite the mouthful but in reality
like quite the mouthful but in reality
like quite the mouthful but in reality there’s a logic with sequence of steps
there’s a logic with sequence of steps
there’s a logic with sequence of steps that optimize applying such an extract
that optimize applying such an extract
that optimize applying such an extract onto tumor cells during all of this
onto tumor cells during all of this
onto tumor cells during all of this I had no foresight or expectations going
I had no foresight or expectations going
I had no foresight or expectations going into the project and to be completely
into the project and to be completely
into the project and to be completely honest with you the whole process was
honest with you the whole process was
honest with you the whole process was extremely tiring
extremely tiring
extremely tiring there are many long days and nights
there are many long days and nights
there are many long days and nights spent with the full understanding that
spent with the full understanding that
spent with the full understanding that all of this work could he owed no
all of this work could he owed no
all of this work could he owed no results but on that sunny summer day on
results but on that sunny summer day on
results but on that sunny summer day on that moment when I viewed the results of
that moment when I viewed the results of
that moment when I viewed the results of the experiment under the plate reader
the experiment under the plate reader
the experiment under the plate reader machine I saw that the extract of this
machine I saw that the extract of this
machine I saw that the extract of this plant bacopa Maneri that nuisance weed
plant bacopa Maneri that nuisance weed
plant bacopa Maneri that nuisance weed we kill all over the world actually
we kill all over the world actually
we kill all over the world actually inhibited the proliferation of these
inhibited the proliferation of these
inhibited the proliferation of these deadly GBM brain tumor cells
[Applause]
[Applause] [Music]
this was a finding that has never before
this was a finding that has never before been reported or published in previous
been reported or published in previous
been reported or published in previous scientific literature I couldn’t believe
scientific literature I couldn’t believe
scientific literature I couldn’t believe it I remember standing there in pure
it I remember standing there in pure
it I remember standing there in pure disbelief staring at the computer screen
disbelief staring at the computer screen
disbelief staring at the computer screen in front of me is this real am i
in front of me is this real am i
in front of me is this real am i imagining this were the first two
imagining this were the first two
imagining this were the first two thoughts to cross my mind and I had an
thoughts to cross my mind and I had an
thoughts to cross my mind and I had an immediate urge to share this good news
immediate urge to share this good news
immediate urge to share this good news with my research mentors and my family
with my research mentors and my family
with my research mentors and my family so I picked up the phone and called my
so I picked up the phone and called my
so I picked up the phone and called my dad yeah I know okay what sane teenager
dad yeah I know okay what sane teenager
dad yeah I know okay what sane teenager actually calls and talks to their dad
actually calls and talks to their dad
actually calls and talks to their dad anyway so I told my dad that it worked
anyway so I told my dad that it worked
anyway so I told my dad that it worked and jumping up and down in sheer joy
and jumping up and down in sheer joy
and jumping up and down in sheer joy calm down calm down what worked he asked
calm down calm down what worked he asked
calm down calm down what worked he asked completely confused both by my words and
completely confused both by my words and
completely confused both by my words and by the mere fact that I had called him
by the mere fact that I had called him
by the mere fact that I had called him the extract the extract from the plant
the extract the extract from the plant
the extract the extract from the plant bacopa Maneri I said it actually shrunk
bacopa Maneri I said it actually shrunk
bacopa Maneri I said it actually shrunk and stopped the growth of these deadly
and stopped the growth of these deadly
and stopped the growth of these deadly GBM brain tumor cells but I knew that
GBM brain tumor cells but I knew that
GBM brain tumor cells but I knew that even though this news was truly exciting
even though this news was truly exciting
even though this news was truly exciting there was only the first step of many
there was only the first step of many
there was only the first step of many that would be needed to take this
that would be needed to take this
that would be needed to take this initial research into clinical testing
initial research into clinical testing
initial research into clinical testing this was only the beginning
this was only the beginning
this was only the beginning although many more hours and tests in
although many more hours and tests in
although many more hours and tests in the lab are needed I’m truly optimistic
the lab are needed I’m truly optimistic
the lab are needed I’m truly optimistic that with further research but Koba
that with further research but Koba
that with further research but Koba Maneri has a potential to be developed
Maneri has a potential to be developed
Maneri has a potential to be developed into a novel treatment option targeting
into a novel treatment option targeting
into a novel treatment option targeting GBM this brings me back to my cousin
GBM this brings me back to my cousin
GBM this brings me back to my cousin Karthik he received conventional
Karthik he received conventional
Karthik he received conventional chemotherapy for many months but I’m
chemotherapy for many months but I’m
chemotherapy for many months but I’m happy to share that he successfully won
happy to share that he successfully won
happy to share that he successfully won his battle and is now
his battle and is now
his battle and is now a cancer survivor
like Bukoba there’s many other hidden
like Bukoba there’s many other hidden gifts out there in nature that we as a
gifts out there in nature that we as a
gifts out there in nature that we as a human society can harness in order to
human society can harness in order to
human society can harness in order to fight many of our diseases for example
fight many of our diseases for example
fight many of our diseases for example we’ve already taken the willow tree and
we’ve already taken the willow tree and
we’ve already taken the willow tree and produced a crucial everyday medication
produced a crucial everyday medication
produced a crucial everyday medication known as aspirin or the foxglove plant
known as aspirin or the foxglove plant
known as aspirin or the foxglove plant from which we produced digoxin a crucial
from which we produced digoxin a crucial
from which we produced digoxin a crucial heart medication nature’s so graciously
heart medication nature’s so graciously
heart medication nature’s so graciously offers a plethora of compounds that can
offers a plethora of compounds that can
offers a plethora of compounds that can be used in treating our diseases and all
be used in treating our diseases and all
be used in treating our diseases and all we have to do is look it’s truly
we have to do is look it’s truly
we have to do is look it’s truly unbelievable how some of the things that
unbelievable how some of the things that
unbelievable how some of the things that can be found in our own backyards things
can be found in our own backyards things
can be found in our own backyards things that we disregard on a daily basis have
that we disregard on a daily basis have
that we disregard on a daily basis have the power to change lives around the
the power to change lives around the
the power to change lives around the world
world
world and maybe just maybe one day deadly
and maybe just maybe one day deadly
and maybe just maybe one day deadly diseases such as glioblastoma multiforme
diseases such as glioblastoma multiforme
diseases such as glioblastoma multiforme a can be treated using a simple weed
a can be treated using a simple weed
a can be treated using a simple weed like Paco Bowman re and as a mili a bar
like Paco Bowman re and as a mili a bar
like Paco Bowman re and as a mili a bar a British novelist once said it is
a British novelist once said it is
a British novelist once said it is always a simple that produces the
always a simple that produces the
always a simple that produces the marvelous thank you
”
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