Shark blood offer hope for new medicines
Antibodies in shark blood could potentially be a potent weapon in the fight against cancer, Australian scientists have found. Sharks have immune systems similar to humans, but their antibodies - the molecules which actually fight disease - are exceptionally resilient.
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White shark at Isla Guadalupe, Mexico
Researchers believe this quality could be harnessed to help slow the spread of diseases such as cancer.
Potentially, it could lead to a new generation of drug treatments.
The Australian team found that shark antibodies can withstand high temperatures as well as extremely acidic or alkaline conditions.
