From flower fields to deep space
How a common backyard daisy is helping to fight cancer
In a world racing towards the future, the South Australian immunoGENomics Cancer Institute (SAiGENCI) is re-engineering a millennia-old natural remedy to solve uniquely modern problems.
The ‘Daisy Project’, led by Professor Christopher Sweeney, is harnessing the power of nature to revolutionise cancer treatment and protect human health in extreme conditions, from high-tech defence scenarios to deep space.
The project explores the potential of parthenolide – a natural compound extracted from the feverfew daisy, Tanacetum parthenium – to develop life-changing treatments for patients with cancer. Parthenolide, known for its anti-inflammatory properties, is being used to shield healthy human tissues from the damaging effects of radiation and to treat established cancers.