Cytoclonal: Ask the begging question . . .

In research, asking questions that are not directly related to the goal of a project often opens up alternate avenues of study. A case in point is Cytoclonal Pharmaceutics Inc., which discovered the genetic basis for resistance to Bristol-Myers Squibb Co.'s Taxol paclitaxel while working on a microbial fermentation production system for the chemotherapeutic.

"In isolating genes involved in the Taxol biosysthesis pathway for the fermentation system project, we noted that some strains of fungi were sensitive to Taxol and others were resistant," said CYPH Chairman and CEO Arthur Bollon. "We asked 'why is this the case?' and proceeded to isolate beta tubulin genes from both types of fungi."...