New dinosaur discovery could hold the key to human cancer treatment
Scientists believe dinosaur fossils could hold the key to new cancer discoveries and influence future treatments for humans.
A decade-long study published in the journal Biology by researchers from Anglia Ruskin University (ARU) and Imperial College London has identified preserved red blood cell-like structures in a dinosaur fossil.
The findings raised the possibility that prehistoric creatures could be used to study ancient tumours, helping to complete the 'jigsaw' of cancer's molecular building blocks, and potentially influencing future treatments for humans.
Professor Justin Stebbing, an oncologist at ARU, said the idea for the study began in 2016 after reading an article about the discovery of a new fossil in Romania with a tumour in its jaw.
The remains were those of a Telmatosaurus transsylvanicus, a duck-billed, plant-eating 'marsh lizard', a specimen that had lived between 66-70 million years ago in the Hateg Basin in present-day Romania.
'Justin said, guys, I want to go and get this tumour and see what we can get out of it,' Dr Biancastella Cereser, a cancer specialist at Imperial, said.
'We wanted to see if this tumour in the dinosaur could give us any information about any parallel with human cancers, because the tumour that this dinosaur had was an ameloblastoma, a benign tumour in the jaw, which humans have as well.'
From 2017, a team was put together, including three scientists who traditionally work on human cancers – Professor Stebbing, Dr Cereser, and Professor Pramodh Chandrasinghe from the University of Kelaniya in Sri Lanka.
'We contacted the town in Romania, which was very excited to loan us the fossil,' Dr Cereser said.
'We went to Romania and collected the specimen. We brought it back, and we basically drilled into it with a very, very, very fine drill.
'Then we mounted it into this very sophisticated microscope and imaged it. What we saw inside – there were some structures, some forms, that looked like blood cells.'
This Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) technique enabled the researchers to identify low-density structures resembling erythrocytes, or red blood cells, in the fossilised bone.
'Up until recently, the fossil record and finding ancient things was really interesting for finding hard things like shells or skeletons to assess tissues,' Professor Stebbing said.
'But if we're trying to look at the building blocks of life or the building blocks of cancer, to understand cancer better, what we found was you can actually as well as seeing the skeleton, we can actually see soft tissue as well.
'We could actually see like the flesh of the cancer. This means we can look at cancer not only occurring in human or in animal models, but we can look at it tens and tens of millions of years ago.
'It helps us understand the role of environment on cancer.'
He continued: ' Jurassic Park isn't right, because what they said is dinosaur DNA could be recovered and cloned to resurrect dinosaurs, but we can't get DNA out of this because it's broken down by weathering and time.
'But what we have found is that we've actually found proteins in soft tissues can survive over time.
'All we're trying to understand is the molecular building blocks of cancer from a very, very ancient perspective.
'If we can understand cancer better, we can come up with better treatments. I do a lot of research in cancer, so, you know, it all comes together. It's just part of a jigsaw that you are trying to build.'
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
BBC News
a day ago
- BBC News
Somerset woman with a double mastectomy walks topless for charity
A woman who underwent a double mastectomy after having breast cancer several times has walked topless to raise money for cancer research charities. Julia James, 55, from Weare in Somerset, completed a fundraiser walk at Blenheim Palace. The 55-year-old driving instructor, was first diagnosed more than ten years ago, and has had cancer three times in total. She said: "I hope to be a campaigner for other women with cancer and continue to share my story to support others."If you have been affected by the issues raised in this story you can visit the BBC Action Line for support.
The Sun
2 days ago
- The Sun
Doctors said my baby boy had colic – now he lives with a lifelong seizure disorder and too many brain tumours to count
WHEN five-month-old Thomas Ward began screaming inconsolably on Valentine's Day in 2012, doctors told his mum Philippa that he likely had colic and might be teething. Nine days later, 'the bottom fell out' of Philippa's world when her son was diagnosed with a genetic disorder that causes tumours to form on numerous organs, including the brain. 6 Thomas is now 13 and has "more tumours than doctors can count". His devastating condition impacts nearly every aspect of his life, causing developmental delays, terrifying three-hour seizures, and the need for a wheelchair. Here, Philippa, 47, a communications professional from York, tells their story… 'YOU can't possibly think Thomas is having seizures, can you?' I will never forget the response from the out-of-hours doctor when I took my then-five-month-old son to the hospital one weekend in February 2012 after he began behaving unusually, crying incessantly and making strange, jerky movements. We were dismissed and told it was likely a simple case of colic - when a baby cries a lot but there is no obvious cause - or that he might be teething. Unhappy with this outcome, and as the symptoms continued, a few days later I took Thomas to see our local GP. She agreed he was behaving unusually and wrote to the paediatrician at the local hospital. There was no indication that Thomas had a medical problem that needed to be urgently addressed, but my instincts told me otherwise. The following day, I packed a bag, took my older son Ben to nursery and walked to A&E with Thomas. As soon as the doctor saw him, he diagnosed Thomas with infantile spasms - a rare and damaging form of epilepsy. He then revealed my wonderful little boy might have tuberous sclerosis complex (TSC), but he would have to be transferred to a larger hospital for an MRI scan to confirm the diagnosis. It was a terrifying time. February 29 is recognised around the world as Rare Disease Day, and it also happens to be the day Thomas was officially diagnosed with TSC, which causes tumours to form on the eyes, heart, kidneys, skin, lungs and brain. My legs gave way when we found out. It felt as though the bottom had fallen out of my world. My husband David and I learned that our son had numerous tumours on his brain and that they could cause cognitive impairment, developmental delays, behavioural problems, autism spectrum disorder, and seizures, which often cannot be adequately controlled using standard medications. We were also told that there are no approved therapies that address the root cause of TSC, so our only care options for Thomas were various therapies, symptom-based medications and possibly surgery. The days that followed were a blur. 6 6 Despite an estimated one million people living with it worldwide, TSC is classified as a rare disease. If Thomas hadn't been diagnosed with it, I'd probably never have heard of it myself. Thomas underwent a few more tests before being discharged from hospital. As we were leaving, the neurologist handed us a leaflet from the Tuberous Sclerosis Association (TSA) - the UK charity dedicated to helping families affected by TSC. It felt like a strange consolation prize after receiving such a massive, life-changing diagnosis, but it became a lifeline, signposting to many of the resources and support available to us. We also joined a newly-formed Facebook group for other parents of children with TSC, and through that met some people who have gone on to become friends. But TSC continues to affect us every single day. Thomas is now 13, and like many people with TSC, he experiences seizures most days. At one point, Thomas was having up to eight seizures a day. Today, he typically still has at least one, usually right after waking up. They can last up to three hours at a time. He is not able to verbally communicate and has delayed motor skills. He often uses a wheelchair for outings to ensure his safety. Thomas requires regular medical scans and monitoring to track his tumours - there are now too many on his brain to count. He has been on numerous anti-epileptic medications, but none have fully relieved him from the exhausting seizures. TSC has put our entire family on a rollercoaster ride. As parents, there has been so much to learn about having a child with complex medical and developmental needs. FAMILY IMPACT It is especially difficult for us to witness the effect on our elder son, Ben. By age three, he could recognise a seizure and learned to alert us if Thomas was having one. There is nothing more heartbreaking than hearing a toddler shout: 'Seizure, seizure!' Ben, now 15, is very aware of his brother's needs. He understands the importance of being quiet in the evenings so Thomas can sleep. There are many activities we can't do as a family due to safety and accessibility issues. As a young carer, Carers UK provides him with support and resources when needed. 6 6 Despite the challenges Thomas has faced throughout his life, he remains a lovely young man with a vibrant personality and clear passions. He is a remarkable problem solver and even though he cannot speak, he is able to communicate very effectively when he wants something. He's a gentle and affectionate soul and a joy to be around. Thomas' favourite foods are chips, toast and avocado - he also loves ketchup and mayonnaise. He enjoys going on train rides, car journeys, watching YouTube videos and listening to music. His favourite person in the world is his big brother. One of the most important things we've learned since Thomas' diagnosis is the importance of community, especially one that understands your unique circumstances. What is tuberous sclerosis complex? ABOUT one million people worldwide are living with tuberous sclerosis complex, and up to 11,000 are diagnosed in the UK. It causes non-cancerous tumours to grow on the brain, as well as the eyes, heart, skin, kidneys and lungs. These tumours, which impact the central nervous system, can result in cognitive impairment, developmental delays, behavioural problems, autism, and seizures, which often can't be controlled by standard medicines. The condition can also cause skin abnormalities (such as patches of light-coloured or thickened skin, or red acne-like spots on the face), breathing difficulties, hyperactivity, kidney issues and a build-up of fluid on the brain. TSC is present from birth, although it may not cause obvious problems immediately. It is caused by changes in either the TSC1 or TSC2 gene, which are involved in regulating cell growth. There is no cure, but medicine, surgery and educational support can help. Many people with TSC will have a normal lifespan, although a number of life-threatening complications can develop. These include a loss of kidney function, a serious lung infection called bronchopneumonia and a severe type of epileptic seizure called status epilepticus. Patients may also have an increased risk of developing certain types of cancer, such as kidney cancer, but this is rare. Source: NHS Families impacted by serious conditions, especially rare diseases, often find themselves feeling isolated and alone in the weeks and months following a diagnosis. We are hugely fortunate to have our own family close by, and they are a great support to us, as is the wider TSC community around the UK and beyond. Since Thomas' diagnosis, I have done everything in my power to advocate for TSC awareness. I took part in the Great North Run to raise money for the TSA, have spoken at conferences and awareness events, shared our family's story with my workplace, and advocated for the TSC community within the NHS. There are a number of messages that I hope people take away from our family's story. Firstly, research for rare diseases like TSC is critical. While only between 3,700 and 11,000 people in the UK are diagnosed with TSC, each of these diagnoses impacts everyone in the patient's life. 'On constant alert' Having a treatment for TSC would be amazing. Thomas' frequent seizures require everyone in our house to be on constant alert. It's not easy, but Thomas is a wonderful young man, and he makes it all worthwhile. We remain hopeful that there will one day be a treatment that can improve Thomas' quality of life - and ours. I also want to remind parents of children with TSC, or any rare disease, of the importance of living in the present. When your child is diagnosed with a condition like TSC, it's understandable to ask: Why does my child have this disease? What will our future look like? We immediately begin grieving the child we thought we would have. I still don't fully understand why Thomas has TSC, but David and I are able to find tremendous joy in our lives with our son every day. The best things we can do are keep him safe, meet him where he is, help him enjoy life, and love every part of who he is. I look forward to the day when Thomas and others with TSC can access safe and effective treatment options. Until then, I am committed to making the world more inclusive and understanding. When it might not be colic ALL babies cry, but one may have colic if they cry for more than three hours a day, three days a week for at least one week. It may also be colic if, while they are crying: It's hard to soothe or settle your baby They clench their fists They go red in the face They bring their knees up to their tummy or arch their back Their tummy rumbles or they're very windy Colic is common, affecting up to 40 per cent of babies, and it usually stops by the time babies turn three or four months old. But there are other reasons your baby may be crying. These include: hunger, a dirty nappy, wind, reflux and constipation. Call NHS 111 or see a GP if: You're worried about your baby's crying Your baby has colic and nothing seems to be working You're finding it hard to cope Your baby is not growing or putting on weight as expected Your baby still has symptoms of colic after 4 months of age Go to A&E or call 999 if: Your baby has a weak or high-pitched cry Your baby's cry does not sound like their normal cry You know better than anyone else what your child is usually like. Trust your instincts if you think something is seriously wrong, particularly if they have other worrying symptoms. Source: NHS
Telegraph
2 days ago
- Telegraph
Inside Israel's ‘scientific crown jewels' bombed by Iran
Prof Eldad Tzahor can just about make out the remains of his office, high on the top floor of the life sciences and cancer research building. Or at least, half of it. The other half is lying in a heap of rubble and twisted metal at our feet. We are standing in the grounds of the Weizmann Institute in Rehovot, south of Tel Aviv, one of the pre-eminent research centres in the world and commonly referred to as Israel's scientific 'crown jewels'. The sprawling campus set among manicured lawns and colourful flower beds suffered two direct hits from Iranian ballistic missiles, in the early hours on Sunday. In the blink of an eye, years of cutting-edge research into human ageing, cancer prevention and regenerative medicine went up in smoke. Thousands of vital tissue and DNA samples were lost. At least one affected academic has since said they were on the cusp of a major breakthrough. Prof Tzahor, who was working on heart regeneration treatments, points to a sample freezer with a door hanging off, which is standing somewhat upright in the rubble. It stands near two enormous nitrogen tanks, which started a major fire when punctured in the blast. They now lie mangled on their sides. Mutilated extractor fans flop uselessly out of the side of the building, where they were ripped apart by the structure's collapse. 'Some of the studies we were doing take years and years of samples to build up,' he said. 'You can't restart them just like that. 'I suppose, just as we are trying to do with human tissue, we will have to regrow and regenerate.' For Prof Roee Ozeri, a quantum physicist who has given nearly 30 years of his life to the institute, the Iranian strikes were 'ironic'. 'We're fighting cancer and heart disease here, which helps all humanity – and they go and do this.' He points out that even Yahya Sinwar, the former Hamas leader and architect of October 7, benefitted from Israeli medicine when he had brain cancer while in prison. But although the cost to science is undeniable, the narrative of mindless, or indeed accidental, Iranian destruction is potentially misleading. Military sources believe the hit was a deliberate retaliation against Israel's campaign of assassination against Iranian nuclear scientists. This is because of the Weizmann Institute's connections with the defence industry, as well as its alleged historical links to Israel's own shadowy nuclear weapons programme. Israel has never formally admitted that it possesses nuclear weapons – some estimates put its stockpile of warheads into the hundreds – although the programme is often referred to as the worst-kept secret in the Jewish state. Prof Ozeri, who is also the institute's vice-president for communication, smiles wryly as he denies any institutional involvement in nuclear weapons. It is as if he gets the question a lot. 'We are a basic research institute,' he said. 'We do fundamental science for the future of humanity. There is no equivalence [with Israel's actions against Iranian scientists].' As Israel knows better than most, facts on the ground are often swiftly obscured in the war of misinformation. Sunday's strikes swiftly gave rise to online discussions across the Middle East as to their military legitimacy. Ernst Bergmann, the father of Israel's nuclear programme, was the former head of the Weizmann Institute, whose scientists learnt how to extract uranium from the phosphate of the Negev desert during the 1950s. But that is a far cry from current involvement in any Israeli nuclear weapons programme. Even if links did exist, Israelis dismiss any argument of moral equivalence between the assassination of Iranian nuclear scientists and Sunday's missile strike on the basis that Israel, unlike Iran, has never declared its intention to wipe a sovereign state off the map. Nevertheless, this is not the first time that Iran has been accused of targeting Weizmann scientists. Last year, Israeli authorities said they disrupted an Iranian spy ring in East Jerusalem that was plotting to assassinate a nuclear scientist who worked and lived at the institute. Much more straightforward is the Weizmann's links with various defence manufacturers, such as Elbit Systems, to collaborate on bio-materials and other tech, which are openly stated on both organisations' websites. But Weizmann, named after Israel's first president, is not the only university to have such links, nor to operate under a veil of visible security. Although some students live on campus, no one was injured in the missile attack, thanks to the time of night and strict adherence to the shelter protocol. But dozens of Israeli civilians have been killed in the attacks – even those sheltering in approved bunkers. It has left Israelis in no doubt about the missiles' destructive force. At Weizmann alone, some 45 labs were wrecked, at a potential cost of $100 million (£74 million) to replace. Within hours of the strike, a young researcher, wearing a helmet, was filmed playing the piano amid the ruins. It was a symbol of hope in a time of war. But no one is pretending that the loss to science here is anything short of tragic.
