Potential opioid painkiller replacement from fungus

Play
Stop
 
 
Source: Unsplash. Photographer: Bankim Desai

A mud sample taken 16 years ago by a boat ramp in Tasmania, is to thank for a new potential opioid replacement.

The sample contained marine fungus that yielded a new type of molecule that researchers from The University of Queensland and the University of Sydney have developed to provide similar levels of pain relief as opioids but with none of the side-effects.

This replacement drug has the potential to significantly reduce the risk of death by overdose from opioid medications, which is the leading cause of accidental death in the United States and an increasing issue in Australia.

 

 

(Visited 17 times, 1 visits today)
Download Audio
Friday, October 18 2019
Produced By
Featured in storyProfessor Rob Capon, The University of Queensland's Institute for Molecular BioscienceProfessor Macdonald Christie, pharmacologist with the University of Sydney's School of Medical Sciences and Associate Dean Research
Category

The Wire is produced in partnership by

Contributor Stations

Supporters and Program Distribution