Modern medicine uses many compounds which are isolated from plants. For example, vinblastine, which is used to treat many types of cancer, is isolated from the leaves of the Madagascar periwinkle. Sarah O'Connor will talk about her work in understanding the process by which the plant makes this substance. Not only will this lead to cheaper vinblastine but also to the production of slightly modified versions of vinblastine which may have improved medicinal properties.

From hairy roots to new medicines

The Oxford Botanic Garden is a national reference collection of 7,000 different types of plant, making it the most compact yet diverse collection of plants in the World - there is even more biological diversity here than there is in tropical rain forests and other biodiversity hotspots.

Many gardeners come here to seek inspiration. In the beds and borders you may find new plants that would be perfect in your garden at home and partly for this reason we strive to label clearly every plant in the Garden.

Plants are grown in this Garden to support our teaching programmes, for research scientists in this University and elsewhere and as part of plant conservation projects.

Education

The Oxford Botanic Garden is a national reference collection of 7,000 different types of plant, making it the most compact yet diverse collection of plants in the World - there is even more biological diversity here than there is in tropical rain forests and other biodiversity hotspots. Many gardeners come here to seek inspiration. In the beds and borders you may find new plants that would be perfect in your garden at home and partly for this reason we strive to label clearly every plant in the Garden. Plants are grown in this Garden to support our teaching programmes, for research scientists in this University and elsewhere and as part of plant conservation projects.

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From hairy roots to new medicines

From hairy roots to new medicines

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