The Biomolecular Technology Group (BTG) is a multidisciplinary group focused on the development of and application of novel DNA-based techniques to the identification and authentication of medicinal plants and phytomedicines.
The BTG is based at De Montfort University (DMU), Leicester and it has established collaborations with academic researchers, regulatory bodies and industrial companies on the development of authentication tests for medicinal plant material.
Compared to existing botanical and chemical assays, DNA-based methods have a number of advantages. DNA tests directly indicate genetic identity, and are not affected by the tissue, age or growth conditions of the plant, nor the harvesting and processing of the plant material. DNA methods are highly sensitive (due to signal amplification by the polymerase chain reaction – PCR) and specific (due to the base-pairing of the DNA double helix). Therefore, our DNA tests are able to directly authenticate a plant species using a pinch of material from, say, a capsule of powdered plant extract. DNA-based methods are also very fast compared to chemical methods, and less expensive.
These advantages do not mean that DNA will replace chemical testing in the future. We view DNA and chemical tests as complementary. DNA tests directly determine genetic identity, but only infer chemical composition. Chemical tests do the opposite – they are only an indirect indication of species identity, but directly measure chemical composition (including the levels of pharmaceutically active compounds). We have therefore adopted a nuanced approach to DNA testing.
Recent News
Tulsi, or not Tulsi?
We are so 
excited to announce our “Tulsi or not Tulsi” activity at the British Science Festival in Leicester this year!
Plants such as Tulsi, or Holy basil, are commonly used in Indian communities for both spiritual and medicinal purposes, like diabetes management. However, it’s easily confused with similar plants, putting people at risk.
Discover more about how ancient plants were used as medicine in the historic Trinity House herbal garden setting. Put your identification skills to the test using the latest genetic techniques AND take home your own Tulsi plant!!