PhD research student, Jack Robinson, was awarded $30,000 from the Rotary Foundation Global Grant Scholarship fund for a nine-month project which saw him work alongside fellow researchers at the Cairo National Research Centre (NRC) and the University of Benha (UB), Egypt.
The aim of the research was to discover at least one compound that possess the correct drug-related profile to undergo initial pre-clinical development. Jack, under the supervision of Dr Jioji Tabudravu from the School of Pharmacy and Biomedical Sciences, collected fungi, derived from Red Sea marine sponges.
A variety of methods and approaches were used to search for biologically active natural products. The methods ranged from isolation and cultivation of microorganisms, column chromatography to biological Screening. The fungi were grown in laboratory conditions as sources of chemical compounds with the potential to combat diseases such as Alzheimer's, cancer and malaria.
Speaking about his motivation to pursue this particular research area, Jack shared: “What inspired me to explore new biologically active natural products from nature was the understanding of the immense potential hidden within the Earth's biodiversity. The realisation that natural sources, such as plants, microorganisms, and marine organisms, harbour a vast array of chemical compounds with therapeutic properties fuelled my curiosity and motivation.
He continued: “Additionally, witnessing the growing challenges posed by diseases like Alzheimer's, cancer, and drug-resistant infections further underscored the urgency of discovering novel therapeutic agents. Ultimately, the desire to contribute to scientific advancement and potentially improve human health outcomes through the discovery of new natural products was a driving force behind my research.”
"Ultimately, the desire to contribute to scientific advancement and potentially improve human health outcomes through the discovery of new natural products was a driving force behind my research."
— Jack Robinson, PhD student
The funding from the Rotary Foundation enabled Jack to conduct fieldwork, collect samples from various ecological niches and perform laboratory analyses to isolate and characterise potential therapeutic compounds. Talking about the Rotary Foundation’s support, Jack said: “The generous support from the Rotary Foundation significantly enhances the scope and impact of my research, allowing me to contribute to the discovery of novel bioactive molecules with potential applications in medicine and healthcare.”
John McGill, District Foundation Team Leader, Rotary Club of Furness Peninsula, added: ”The Global scholar scheme is Rotary’s way of investing in our future leaders and philanthropists such as Jack Robinson whose exciting research will impact on those two terrible diseases Alzheimer’s and Cancer. Funding from the Rotary Foundation has enabled Jack to carry out important field work which would not have been possible without Rotary support.”
The research can potentially have a positive impact on global health as the discovery of new drugs and therapies has the potential to address global health challenges. Jack explained: “By identifying compounds effective against drug-resistant pathogens, cancer, neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer's, and other conditions, our research could contribute to improving healthcare outcomes and reducing the burden of disease worldwide.”
Reflecting on the overall impact that he hopes the research will achieve on society and academia, Jack shared: “Overall, our work has the potential to make significant contributions to both academic knowledge and societal well-being by advancing drug discovery, addressing global health challenges, promoting environmental conservation, and stimulating economic development.”
