Taxol chemotherapy drug. Molecular model of the chemotherapy drug Taxol (generic name paclitaxel). Taxol was first isolated from the bark of the Pacif

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Taxol chemotherapy drug. Molecular model of the chemotherapy drug Taxol (generic name paclitaxel). Taxol was first isolated from the bark of the Pacific yew tree (Taxus brevifolia), but is now made synthetically. The drug acts by stabilising microtubules, part of the cell cytoskeleton involved in cell division. The microtubules become unable to disassemble and so cannot move chromosomes around the cell. Taxol is used to treat ovarian, breast and non-small cell lung cancer. Atoms are represented as spheres and are colour-coded; carbon (grey), oxygen (red) and nitrogen (blue). Hydrogen atoms have been omitted.

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Size: 3795px × 4628px
Photo credit: © RAMON ANDRADE 3DCIENCIA/SCIENCE PHOTO LIBRARY / Alamy / Afripics
License: Licensed
Model Released: No

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