Calendar opium poppy

Scientists in our region have found a chemical in opium poppies which is currently being considered as a potential anti-cancer drug.

Biologists at the University of York have discovered the genes that produce a chemical called Noscapine, which in the future could be used to treat patients with tumours.

Professor Ian Graham is leading the team at York University which has discovered the key to mass-producing a chemical called Noscapine. It's extracted from poppies, and is currently being tested as a potential anti-cancer drug.

Researchers discovered a bundle of five genes which tell the poppy plant how to produce the chemical.

Poppies, like these ones in Tasmania, have helped scientists in York discover how a chemical is produced that is used for anti-cancer drugs. It could mean they can mass produce the chemical in the future.

Researchers in York have discovered how poppies make a chemical, which could help in the mass production of anti-cancer drugs.