Mingji Dai (horizontal) (IMAGE) Purdue University Caption Mingji Dai, professor of chemistry and a scientist at the Purdue University Center for Cancer Research, studied the compound found naturally in the roots of a shrub and discovered a cost-effective and efficient way to synthesize it in the lab. The compound â€" curcusone D â€" has the potential to help combat a protein found in many cancers, including some forms of breast, brain, colorectal, prostate, lung and liver cancers, among others. Credit Purdue University photo/Charles Jischke Usage Restrictions None License Licensed content Disclaimer: AAAS and EurekAlert! are not responsible for the accuracy of news releases posted to EurekAlert! by contributing institutions or for the use of any information through the EurekAlert system.