Investigating the genetic basis of plant bioactives
As part of our celebrations to mark 300 years since the appointment of the first Professor of Botany, some of our current academics have written short research stories to help give you an insight into current areas of interest and future research challenges.
If you are interested in finding out more, including how you might be able to support our academics in their future research endeavours, please get in touch with them directly.
Mining Meadows: Investigating the genetic basis of plant bioactives
Nicola Patron, Head of Plant Molecular Engineering Group
For thousands of years, plant extracts have been used in medicine and industry. These extracts are valued for their useful chemicals, produced by plants which cannot get up and run away when faced with a predator, so must protect themselves with an incredible array of defensive compounds. Remarkably, as these chemicals often evolved to target cellular processes in insects and other animals, they often possess medicinal properties.
The richness of bioactive molecules found in plants provides a wealth of potential pharmaceuticals, insecticides, and molecules of medicinal and industrial value. Over the past half-century, chemistry and biology have identified several bioactive plant compounds providing drugs to treat diseases like malaria and cancer, as well as molecules that are used as flavours and fragrances.
The problem
Despite these advances, much of plant chemistry remains a mystery. The active compounds in many plants used in traditional medicine are still unidentified. Even when a specific molecule is linked to a beneficial effect, it is often found in minuscule quantities or in species that are rare and difficult to cultivate. While chemical synthesis has made some plant molecules more accessible and affordable, it remains a huge and often costly challenge for many others. In some cases, harvesting plants to obtain valuable molecules has pushed species to the brink of extinction. The quest to fully unlock the secrets of plant chemistry is a daunting but exciting frontier, promising benefits for medicine and industry.
The solution
In our lab, we harness the power of omics technologies to sequence plant genomes and to quantify which genes are being expressed and which metabolites are accumulating in each tissue. We then integrate these large datasets to unravel the genetic blueprints of plant natural products. This integrative approach allows us to decode the mechanisms of metabolic diversification and pioneer innovative manufacturing techniques - we are at the forefront of developing plants as efficient photosynthetic biomanufacturing platforms. We do this by programming plant cells to make molecules that are useful in medicine, industry and heath, using cutting-edge engineering strategies to enhance the purity and yield of these valuable compounds. Our work not only deepens our understanding of plant biology but also paves the way for sustainable production of essential medicines and industrial materials.
Why Cambridge, why now?
This work demands expertise in plant diversity and evolution, genomics, biochemistry, as well as the emerging field of synthetic biology, which merges engineering principles with biological research. Cambridge has a rich tradition in botany, plant evolution, and a renowned botanical garden that serves as a hub of inspiration for studying plants and their historical significance to humanity. Additionally, the university is a focal point for synthetic biology, featuring an interdisciplinary research centre that unites researchers from engineering, computer science, chemistry, biology, and pharmacology. This collaborative environment fosters innovation and offers invaluable inspiration for cutting-edge research.
What we have achieved
In the last few years, we have reconstructed several complex biosynthetic pathways in plants and developed new tools and technologies for tailoring plants to optimise the production of molecules for medicine and agriculture.
What happens next?
We are currently focused on identifying bioactive molecules from European wildflowers historically used in traditional medicine, where the specific compounds responsible remain unknown. Collaborating with pharmacologists, we aim to link the bioactivity of these medicinal plant extracts to distinct molecules. By integrating various datasets, we are uncovering the genetic basis of these compounds. This research not only helps us understand the genetic changes that enable specific plants to produce these molecules but also allows us to reconstruct their biosynthesis pathways, paving the way for sustainable production of these valuable compounds.
If we solve the problem, what can we expect?
We hope that our work will unlock the potential of plant diversity, providing new sources of molecules for health and industry. Additionally, we aim to develop low-cost, sustainable manufacturing methods to make rare compounds accessible in low-resource regions. By leveraging synthetic biology, we aspire to use our precious biodiversity sustainably, avoiding past mistakes that damaged sensitive habitats and pushed valuable species to the brink of extinction.