date:Aug 21, 2017
plants red beet (Beta vulgaris) and four oclock flowers (Mirabilis jalapa) in their analysis. Using next-generation RNA sequencing and other advanced technologies, the researchers identified a previously unknown gene involved in betalain synthesis and revealed which biochemical reactions plants use to convert the amino acid tyrosine into betalains.
To test their findings they genetically engineered yeast to produce betalains. They then tackled the ultimate challenge: reproducing betalain synt