A PROFESSOR from the University of the Philippines Marine Science Institute was awarded the 2022 Golden Goose Award, a United States honor celebrating the initially dubious research ventures that have turned out to be major breakthroughs.

UP MSI Scientist Dr. Lourdes Cruz and fellow researchers were recognized for their study on conotoxins, a class of neurotoxic compounds isolated from cone snail venom.

The award was presented by the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS) during the 11th annual Golden Goose Award ceremony earlier this month.

“Intrigued by how the sting selectively affects neuromuscular activity, Dr. Cruz and her colleagues explored its biochemical applications,” UP MSI said on its website.

“The work began in the 70s when Dr. Cruz was Assistant Professor in the University of the Philippines Manila. Together with Dr. William Gray and Dr. Olivera, Dr. Cruz published a paper on the biochemical characterization of ɑ-conotoxin GI isolated from Conus geographus venom,” it added.

The 1978 paper succeeded by publications describing the μ-conotoxins, which block the sodium channels of our tissues.

Since then, research has expanded to include the ω-conotoxins that impede synaptic transmissions, and the conotoxins have been established as reliable regents for neuroscience and medicine.

Conotoxin research efforts have been funded by the US Department of Defense and National Institutes of Health, according to UP MSI.

The Golden Goose Awards was conceived as a response to the Golden Fleece Award, which was US Senator William Proxmire’s approach to calling attention to what was deemed ‘superfluous’ or ‘reckless’ spending of government money.

It was given 168 times from 1975–1988, subjecting many misunderstood federally-funded scientific projects to undue ridicule.

Nine organizations, including the AAAS, came together in 2012 to present the first set of Golden Goose Awards.

Since then, it has recognized 33 major projects in medicine, psychology, physical sciences, computing, and biology.

Meanwhile, internationally renowned Filipino biochemist, Dr. Baldomero ‘Toto’ Olivera received the award alongside Dr. Cruz.