Annotated Taxol 2D Structure (3D Structure in Project Page)

PDB Citation: Bank, RCSB Protein Data. "TAXOL." RCSB PDB. N.p., n.d. Web. 27 Sept. 2016.

The lack of chemotherapy drugs risks patients' lives. Taxol is a famous and effective cancer drug whose production rests on the steady supply of Pacific Yew Trees. However, as more people develop cancer, Pacific Yew Trees are being overharvested and endangered.

In the forseeable future, there will be fewer Yew Trees. Taxol will become less affordable for patients. Worse, when Yew Trees become extinct, Taxol will lose its most essential ingredient. What can we do?

At Duke iGEM, we have already begun the process of sequentially arranging these genes and growing bacteria with these new powers.

We believe our idea is implementable and has a revolutionary positive impact on future treatments of cancer, saving more lives at a lower cost.