Bhopal: A Chhattisgarh-based scientist Dr Mamata Tripathy has claimed to have discovered a drug-like molecule that would effectively combat dreaded disease like cancer. The “wonder” molecule, Hydroxamic acid-Metal complexes, designed by her in the laboratory has been found to effectively kill cancer cells at very small concentration. Its parent molecule is Phenylbenzohydroxamic acid (PBHA).
“The chemical complexes have potency of binding to DNA and RNA and have pharmacophoric functionality of CO and NO. The properties of the newly developed molecule help killing cancer cells effectively”, Dr Tripathy, whose four-year-long research has led to discovery of the chemical complexes, told this newspaper on Saturday.
Work on the project had started in 2001 by research scholars and professors of Chemistry department of Pt. Ravishankar Shukla University at Raipur in Chhattisgarh in collaboration with Bhaba Atomic Research Centre (BARC). The project had however slowed down for various reasons.
