Summers in Australia are associated with an increased risk of skin cancer, but researchers from the Melbourne University are now looking into a revolutionary new way to fight the problem, with the belief that discovering the way kangaroos repaid their DNA might just be the key to effectively fight and prevent skin cancer, in addition to many other skin related issues.

Melbourne University researchers Dr Linda Feketeova and Dr Uta Wille have joined hands with Austrian scientists from the University of Innsbruck to look into a "DNA repair enzyme" which is found mainly in kangaroos, and various other organisms, but not humans. The enzyme reportedly repairs DNA damage that is directly linked to skin cancer.

"As summer approaches, excessive exposure to the sun's harmful UV light will see more than 400,000 Australians diagnosed with skin cancer. Other research teams have proposed a 'dream cream' containing the DNA repair enzyme which you could slap on your skin after a day in the sun. We are now examining whether this would be feasible by looking at the chemistry behind the (kangaroo) DNA system", shared Dr. Feketeova.

Although kangaroos are not immune to skin cancer, the special enzyme they possess gives their skin an added protection that humans lack.