Benzylisoquinoline alkaloids (BIAs) are a structurally diverse group of plant specialized
metabolites with a long history of investigation. Although the ecophysiological functions of …

Metabolomics now plays a significant role in fundamental plant biology and applied
biotechnology. Plants collectively produce a huge array of chemicals, far more than are …

The Chilean soapbark tree (Quillaja saponaria) produces soap-like molecules called QS
saponins that are important vaccine adjuvants. These highly valuable compounds are …

Medicinal plants are a rich source of highly diverse specialized metabolites with important
pharmacological properties. Until recently, plant biologists were limited in their ability to …

Alkaloids represent a highly diverse group of compounds that are related only by the
occurrence of a nitrogen atom in a heterocyclic ring. Plants are estimated to produce …

Noscapine is an antitumor alkaloid from opium poppy that binds tubulin, arrests metaphase,
and induces apoptosis in dividing human cells. Elucidation of the biosynthetic pathway will …

Opium poppy (Papaver somniferum) is one of the world's oldest medicinal plants and
remains the only commercial source for the narcotic analgesics morphine, codeine and semi …

Opiates such as morphine and codeine are mainly obtained by extraction from opium
poppies. Fermentative opiate production in microbes has also been investigated, and …

Triterpenoid saponins are a diverse group of natural products in plants and are considered
defensive compounds against pathogenic microbes and herbivores. Because of their …

The benzylisoquinoline alkaloids (BIAs) are a diverse class of metabolites that exhibit a
broad range of pharmacological activities and are synthesized through plant biosynthetic …