Researchers think they have solved the mysterious deaths of a string of archaeologists who helped to excavate Tutankhamun’s tomb – and the answer could revolutionise modern science. For decades, the uncanny deaths of the excavation team who uncovered the Egyptian king’s resting place in 1922 were linked to a supernatural “pharaoh’s curse”. Scientists now believe the mystifying illness that killed them off was a toxic fungus known as Aspergillus flavus, which can lie dormant in a sealed environment – such as a tomb – for thousands of years.
It is known for its resilience in harsh environments, and, once disturbed, can unleash deadly spores, potentially triggering serious breathing problems in those with weakened immune systems. However, researchers at the University of Pennsylvania believe the fungus could be a game-changer in the global fight against cancer.
The research team discovered that the fungus produces compounds called asperigimycins, which can be as effective as cytarabine and daunorubicin – two FCDA-approved drugs that have been used in leukaemia chemotherapy for decades.
The asperigimycins appear to work by disrupting the process of cancer cell division through blocking the formation of microtubules – but the cancer-fighting properties only applied to leukaemia, rather than other variants of the disease.
Nonetheless, it’s an impressive redemption story for the toxic mould, traces of which were also found during investigations into the deaths of scientists who entered the tomb of 15th-century Polish king Casimir IV in the 1970s.
The scientists who made the discovery also identified similar clusters of genes in other fungi, sparking hope that other natural remedies to cancer could already exist in nature.
“Fungi have us penicillin,” Sherry Gao, senior author of the paper on the findings, said. “These results show that many more medicines derived from natural products remain to be found.”
“Nature has given us this incredible pharmacy,” she added. “It’s up to us to uncover its secrets. As engineers, we’re excited to keep exploring, learning from nature and using that knowledge to design better solutions.”