A common spice may hold the secret to battling a certain type of cancer, according to recent findings by researchers in the Redenti Lab at Lehman College. Results of the yearslong study were published in the scientific journal Viruses on Dec. 31, 2024.
"Plant Compounds Inhibit the Growth of W12 Cervical Precancer Cells Containing Episomal or Integrant HPV DNA; Tanshinone IIA Synergizes with Curcumin in Cervical Cancer Cells" demonstrated how compounds in turmeric can keep precancerous cells, with mutations caused by Human Papilloma Virus (HPV), from proliferating.
Professor of Biological Sciences Stephen Redenti worked with a team that included doctoral students in Lehman's flagship Plant Sciences program, visiting faculty member Linda Einbond, and Lehman undergrad Emeka Mbazor '21 to gather and analyze the data. The project is one of many made possible by the longstanding partnership between Lehman and the New York Botanical Garden (NYBG).
Redenti credited Einbond, who was affiliated with the NYBG during the project and the primary author, for her work leading the research. "She is a brilliant scientist that has mentored a number of Lehman undergraduate and graduate students while serving as a role model and colleague as part of our team," he said.
Other authors on the paper have since gone on to graduate studies and research positions at prestigious regional institutions. Mbazor, a computer science major who helped crunch the numbers, notably came in 4th place in the nationwide 2019 Lyft Data Challenge, and was hired by Apple after he graduated.
