Genetically Modified <I>E. coli</I> Pump Out Morphine Precursor (IMAGE)

Kyoto University

Genetically Modified <I>E. coli</I> Pump Out Morphine Precursor

Caption

Japanese bioengineers have tweaked Escherichia coli genes so that they pump out thebaine, a morphine precursor that can be modified to make painkillers. The genetically modified E. coli produces 300 times more thebaine with minimal risk of unregulated use compared to a recently developed method involving yeast.

Credit

Eiri Ono/Kyoto University

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Please credit Eiri Ono/Kyoto University

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