The drug thalidomide was developed with tremendous promise in managing a variety of disorders, such as anxiety and morning sickness.  However, a few years after its common use it became linked to a suite of birth defects, primarily defects in limb development.  For almost sixty years scientists have tried to unravel the molecular basis of its action.  Dr. Katherine Donovan is a postdoctoral researcher at the Dana Farber Cancer Institute at Harvard University.  She was the primary author on recent work that describes the molecular basis of thalidomide-based disorders. Ironically, understanding its roles in developmental disorders also illuminates possible roles in disease treatment, as it is used in treatment of some cancers and may find wider application in the future.

Dr. Katherine Donovan’s website
Follow her on Twitter @kdonovan1008
The Eric Fischer Lab at Dana Farber

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The Talking Biotech podcast is distinct from Dr. Kevin Folta's teaching and research roles at the University of Florida. The views expressed on the show are those of Dr. Folta and his guests, and do not reflect the opinions of the university or Colabra.