Current Research projects
The Biomolecular Technology Group is engaged in different research projects. Here is a brief summary of the projects currently underway.
From recreation to education: Plants for feeding body and mind
DMU research has highlighted that some Leicester’s South Asian communities unintentionally use the wrong plant species for culinary or medicinal purposes. This project aims to put the DMU community back in touch with the plant world by making connections with their academic disciplines and their cultural backgrounds with the use of spices and herbal medicines. The setting for this project is the old Leicester Trinity Hospital’s herbal garden where we will create a link between ancient plant medicine practice and modern genetic tests to authenticate plants species.
The aims are to restore this garden to enhance public awareness around potential beneficial and dangerous plants species, to use the plants for research purpose in different DMU schools, to use the plants also for food preparation in our campus food village to reduce the food miles and packaging of imported goods.
On-site field DNA testing for detection of poisonous plants in herbal products.
The market for herbal medicines has increased rapidly over the last few decades, but this has in turn increased the opportunities for malpractice. Several cases of ill health have been linked to consumption of low-grade products containing undeclared ingredients.
This project addresses this problem by designing on-site DNA-based tests to detect contamination of herbal drugs by toxic plant materials. One of the most infamous examples was the outbreak of numerous cases of kidney failure urinary tract cancer linked to herbal slimming pills adulterated with Aristolochia. Aristolochia is the target plant for this study.
Tulsi tea – cancer risk or diabetic cure?
This project aims to compare the levels of compounds in Ocimum tenuiflorum (tulsi) and O. gratissimum which is grown as a substitute for tulsi by South Asian families in the UK. The genetic basis of this difference will be determined and health implications explored. A method to identify Ocimum species will be explored.
Genetic and molecular analysis of essential oil production in Lamiaceae glandular trichomes
The study aims to characterize genes involved in the glandular trichomes (GTs) genetic control in Ocimum species. After identification of potential genes involved in the Ocimum regulatory pathway of GTs, binary vectors would be used to make constructs for the relevant genes and mutant lines of A. thaliana will be used as host and model plants for the characterization of the function of the selected genes. The construct will be introduced in the model mutant plant using Agrobacterium-mediated transformation. Phenotypic and molecular tests will be conducted to verify the function of the genes and gene expression analysis will also be conducted. Sequence analysis of the relevant genes, using phylogenetic software, will investigate trichome evolutionary development in different Ocimum species. The study will characterize genes related to the production of secondary metabolites and their regulation. The results could then be used in breeding programs to produce Ocimum chemotypes with higher essential oil composition.
DNA testing of Tradescantia
To determine the species ancestors of a collection of Tradescantia cultivars labelled commercially as T. albiflora using DNA-based identification techniques. Publicly available DNA barcodes plus those obtained de novo from Tradescantia species types will be used to determine the species identity of cultivars within the collection, with T. fluminensis being the most likely target. Discrepancies between the plastid and nuclear barcodes chosen may also indicate the hybrid nature of some cultivars.
Previous research projects:
An Investigation into The Viability of DNA Barcoding and 1H NMR in the Authentication of Echinacea Herbal products
Investigating the adulteration and/or contamination of Stephania tetrandra in Traditional Chinese Medicines
The development of DNA based methods for the identification and authentication of Hypericum perforatum (St John’s Wort).
Authentication and investigation of potential hepatoxicity of Black Cohosh products.
Development of Networks for the DNA barcoding of National Plant Collections. With Brooksby College, Melton, UK.
DNA tests for industrial quality assurance: Development of DNA authentication tests for Rhodiola rosea and other Schwabe products.
Second laboratory testing of DNA methods and standards for the British Pharmacopoeia, MHRA, 2014-15