Professor Anna Herman-Antosiewicz, head of the Department of Biology and Medical Genetics, Faculty of Biology, University of Gdańsk, has won the Polish Intelligent Development Award 2020 in the category “Scientist of the future”. She was awarded for the implementation of the project: “New derivatives of usninic acid as anti-cancer drugs”.

As part of the project, the laureate in cooperation with scientists from the Australian University of Sydney dealt with the synthesis of new derivatives of usninic acid in order to improve its physico-chemical and biological properties. Her studies indicate that the substance and some of its derivatives can induce a very characteristic response in cancer cells, consisting in a strong vacuolation of their cytoplasm, which ultimately leads to their death.

The Polish Intelligent Development Award promotes and appreciates the authors of technological and social innovations, as well as investments in a direct or indirect way raising the standard of living.