California Poppy, Rat, Goldthread, Bacteria, and Opium Poppy (IMAGE)

American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS)

California Poppy, Rat, Goldthread, Bacteria, and Opium Poppy

Caption

A team of researchers succeeded in finding more than 20 genes from five different organisms and engineering them into the genome of baker's yeast. In so doing they create two different microbial assembly lines, each of which that took less than five days to convert sugar into one of two medicinal compounds: either thebaine, which can be refined into painkillers, or hydrocodone which is a prescription painkiller. The circles on the left represent the organisms that contributed genes to the bioengineered yeast. From the top: California poppy, rat, goldthread, bacteria, and opium poppy.

Credit

[Credit: Stephanie Galanie and Christina Smolke]

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