Lessons from the plant kingdom

Abstract

Plants may provide cheap and simple alternatives to animals for screening experimental drugs. While, at first sight, agrochemicals and pharmaceuticals have little in common, a closer look shows that similarities exist between the handling of agents such as pesticides by plants and the way the human body deals with drugs. In addition, the experimental techniques employed for new agent development are often identical. A meeting held in London recently provided an opportunity for scientists from both the agrochemical and pharmaceutical fields to come together and exchange ideas.