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Scientists have modified a plant’s genetic sequence to make it produce high levels of a key malaria drug, potentially helping meet the large global demand.
- Paul Rincon
- BBC
The team identified genes involved in making artemisinin, altering their activity to produce three times more of the drug than “normal” plants make.
The plant-based production of the drug sometimes fails to meet demand.
The shrubs don’t produce enough of the chemical in their leaves.
The work appears in the journal Molecular Plant.
“Nearly half of the world’s population is at risk of malaria,” said co…
