Name: Open-source cancer research
Uploaded: 2011-10-27T15:24:40Z
Duration: 12 min 30 s
Description: How does cancer know it's cancer? At Jay Bradner's lab, they found a molecule that might hold the answer, JQ1. But instead of patenting it and reaping the profits (as many other labs have done) -- they published their findings and mailed samples to 40 other labs to work on. An inspiring look at the open-source future of medical research.

How does cancer know it's cancer? At Jay Bradner's lab, they found a molecule that might hold the answer, JQ1. But instead of patenting it and reaping the profits (as many other labs have done) -- they published their findings and mailed samples to 40 other labs to work on. An inspiring look at the open-source future of medical research.

Open-source cancer research

Academic researchers found a molecule, JQ1, that can reprogram cancer cells to behave like normal cells. Instead of keeping it secret, they shared it freely with over 70 labs worldwide, leading to rapid progress and surprising insights. Cancer cells, like normal cells, use molecular 'bookmarks' to remember their identity—a process JQ1 can disrupt. By embracing openness, they ignited a global race to develop new treatments for previously untreatable cancers.