Ideas change everything

Open-source cancer research

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Jay Bradner |

TEDxBoston 2011

• May 2011

How does cancer know it's cancer? At Jay Bradner's lab, they found a molecule that might hold the answer, JQ1. But instead of patenting it and reaping the profits (as many other labs have done) -- they published their findings and mailed samples to 40 other labs to work on. An inspiring look at the open-source future of medical research.

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Want to use TED Talks in your organization?

How does cancer know it's cancer? At Jay Bradner's lab, they found a molecule that might hold the answer, JQ1. But instead of patenting it and reaping the profits (as many other labs have done) -- they published their findings and mailed samples to 40 other labs to work on. An inspiring look at the open-source future of medical research.

Want to use TED Talks in your organization?

This talk was presented to a local audience at TEDxBoston 2011, an independent event. TED's editors chose to feature it for you.

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About the speaker

Research scientist

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In his lab, Jay Bradner, a researcher at Harvard and Dana Farber in Boston, works on a breakthrough approach for subverting cancer .. and he’s giving the secret away.

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This talk was presented to a local audience at TEDxBoston 2011, an independent event. TED's editors chose to feature it for you.

Read more about TEDx.