Scientists Identify Plant Barcode Gene
February 8, 2008| |
Scientists from London’s Imperial College and the Royal Botanic Gardens have identified a “barcode” gene that can distinguish the majority of plant species on Earth. Barcode genes contain DNA sequences that vary greatly among different species but not at all within them. These genes can be used in cataloging different plant species in an area, identifying plant ingredients in powdered substances, such as in traditional Chinese medicine, and can help monitor illegal trading of endangered plants.
The scientists tested more than 80 plant species from South Africa and Costa Rica using eight barcode genes. A particular gene, matK, has been shown to correctly classify over 90 percent of the species. Vincent Savolainen , who led the group, said that the discovery may prompt the development of a portable device which can quickly and easily analyze any plant sample’s matK DNA and compare it to a vast database of information, allowing almost instantaneous identification.
Read more at http://www.defra.gov.uk/news/latest/2008/plant-0502.htm The abstract of the paper published by PNAS is available at http://www.pnas.org/papbysection.shtml#PLANT_BIOLOGY
| |
Biotech Updates is a weekly newsletter of ISAAA, a not-for-profit organization. It is distributed for free to over 22,000 subscribers worldwide to inform them about the key developments in biosciences, especially in biotechnology. Your support will help us in our mission to feed the world with knowledge. You can help by donating as little as $10.
-
See more articles:
-
News from Around the World
- Biofortified Foods and Bioavailability
- Paper Discusses "Drivers of Change in Global Agriculture"
- Transforming Biofuels through Biotechnology
- Field Evidence of Bt Corn and Mytotoxin Reduction
- Uganda Can Take Lead in Biotech Says ABSP II EA Coordinator
- Early Detection of Diseases Using Plant Reflections
- Onion Without the Tears
- Nitrogen Pollution Increases Plant Growth in the Tropics
- Research Seeks to Identify More Productive Banana
- GM Bananas Expressing Increased Nutrient Contents
- Indian BT Cotton Ouput Reaches 66 per cent
- IPRs as an Option to Promote Excellence in Agriculture
- Monsanto's GM Soybean Receives Approvals in Asian Countries
- Oman Sets Up Plant Genetic Resources Committees
- Germany Amends Gene-Food Law
- Scientists Identify Plant Barcode Gene
-
Research Highlights
- Genome Responses Involved in Transitory Thermotolerance
- Increasing the Expression of Anticancer Alkaloids in Perwinkle
- Complete Cassava Chloroplast Genome Sequenced
- GM Tobacco Expressing Aprotinin
-
Announcements
- Tissue Culture Conference in Dhaka
- Ravello Conference on Biotechnology
-
Resources
- India's MOEF Highlights Applications of GM Crops
-
Read the latest: - Biotech Updates (April 30, 2025)
- Gene Editing Supplement (April 30, 2025)
- Gene Drive Supplement (February 22, 2023)
-
Subscribe to BU: - Share
- Tweet