Dutch scientists from the center for Plant Breeding and Reproduction research in Wageningen have genetically modified plants so that honey made from their nectar contains medically useful proteins. The work is based on the discovery of a gene promoter that is specific for the nectary, the nectar-producing organ of the plant. By expressing proteins under the control of this promoter, specific proteins are produced in the nectar, which is then collected by bees and concentrated into honey. As the other component of honey is just sugar, it is very easy to purify the expressed proteins. Patents have been filed for the process in Europe, Japan and Korea.

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This is a Nature Biotechnology DNTF-USA joint Press Release for the PBASIO Network