enzymes

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Figuring out the evolved chemistry of fig trees

Furanocoumarins are small organic molecules produced by plants and known to play defense roles against pathogens and herbivores. Interestingly, some of them are also potential treatments for cancer or vitiligo. These compounds are found in specific but surprisingly distantly related plant families, such as in... click to read more

Kaouthar Eljounaidi | Postdoctoral Research Fellow at University of York, Heslington, UK

enzymes

fig tree

phytochemicals

convergent evolution

cytochrome P450

Reading time 3.5 min

published on May 20, 2022

How a mint turned into catmint

The plant catmint, also known as catnip, is named after its notorious effect on cats. When cats sniff or rub against catmint, it drives them to act strangely: rolling over, pawing and rubbing. Its scientific name is also feline-inspired: Nepeta cataria. The cause of the cats'... click to read more

Benjamin R. Lichman | Lecturer at Centre for Novel Agricultural Products, Department of Biology, University of York, York, UK

genomics

Catmint

molecular evolution

biosynthesis

enzymes

Reading time 3.5 min

published on Feb 17, 2021