Deadly blooms offer a genetic blueprint for making hard-to-synthesize medicinal compounds
Two plants that cause neurotoxicity and paralysis in the tiniest doses are also known to counter pain, malaria, cancer and pests. For the first time, researchers discovered a way to recreate these powerful compounds in the lab, helping lead the way to improved, naturally sourced therapeutics.
Two toxic plants, wolfsbane and larkspur, have been discovered to produce powerful medicinal compounds that counter pain, malaria, cancer and pests. Researchers at Michigan State University and the Czech Academy of Sciences have unraveled the genetic blueprint for synthesizing these compounds in the lab. These plants have been used in traditional medicine for centuries, and understanding their molecular structures can lead to new, sustainable ways of producing therapeutics.
The discovery was made possible through a collaboration between scientists from both institutions, and the findings were published in the journal Molecular Plant.
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