In an extraordinary twist of scientific discovery, two Chicago middle school students found a potentially groundbreaking cancer-fighting compound in an unlikely place - goose droppings from a local park.
As part of the Chicago Antibiotic Discovery Lab program at the University of Illinois at Chicago, students were tasked with collecting environmental samples to search for antibiotic-producing organisms. While most kids might avoid animal waste, this unconventional choice led to remarkable results.
The students isolated a bacterium called Pseudomonas idahonensis from the goose feces. Working alongside university scientists, they discovered this strain produced a previously unknown compound, now named orfamide N.
"This finding demonstrates how scientific breakthroughs can come from unexpected places," says Jonathon Rodriguez, Technology Program Manager at Boys and Girls Clubs of Chicago, who co-authored the research paper with student Camarria Williams.
Laboratory analysis revealed that orfamide N exhibits promising anti-cancer properties, specifically slowing the growth of melanoma and ovarian cancer cells. While the compound requires extensive additional research before potential medical use, the initial results point to exciting possibilities for new cancer treatments.
The discovery emerged through a unique partnership between UoIC and the Boys and Girls Clubs of Chicago, designed to inspire young people toward scientific careers while advancing genuine biomedical research. The program addresses the growing challenge of antibiotic resistance while nurturing the next generation of scientists.
Using sophisticated techniques like nuclear magnetic resonance and mass spectrometry, university researchers confirmed that orfamide N was entirely new to science. Though not responsible for the initial observed antibiotic activity, its cancer-fighting properties opened an unexpected avenue for investigation.
This remarkable story proves that groundbreaking science can spring from simple curiosity and unconventional choices - even when those choices involve collecting goose droppings from a neighborhood park.
The young researchers have already earned their place in scientific literature before entering high school, demonstrating how fresh perspectives and bold approaches can lead to transformative discoveries in medical research.