Cancer Cell Laboratory

Plants are an invaluable resource from which to discover new compounds for industrial or medical use, since there are excellent reasons to believe plants contain beneficial chemicals. The Cancer Cell Laboratory at the University of Lethbridge is one of the first laboratories to study the industrial and medical properties of native prairie plants. Our laboratory is ideally located in the prairie zone, and our researchers have the expertise to explore plants for novel biological activities.  We have a plant extract library that is unique in the world.

We believe that prairie plants contain important compounds because they need to protect themselves from insects, grazing animals and a harsh climate. A common source of protection is the synthesis of interesting chemicals.  In other countries, life-saving drugs have been discovered from plants. We expect to find life-saving anti-cancer drugs here in Canada by applying a methodical scientific approach under our Prairie to Pharmacy Research Program.