When you hear the words ‘brown seaweed’, you may have an image of a slimy and not particularly attractive plant in your mind. Perhaps you’ve heard of the usefulness of this marine plant as a dietary supplement. For University of Tampa organic chemist Dr. Richard Squitieri, padina gymnospora, found right here in Tampa Bay, may have the ability to combat the growth of cancerous cells.
Dr. Squitieri, alongside other UTampa faculty and students, conducted an experiment that showed that the seaweed was able to kill a significant percentage of the most treatment-resistant type of breast cancer cells, a promising finding to be sure.
Dr. Squitieri shared his team’s important findings with our Honors students so perhaps now, when students think of brown seaweed, they will see it through Dr. Squitieri’s eyes: as a plant full of cancer-fighting potential.