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Could 'hairy roots' become biofactories?

Rice University bioengineers have reported an advance in tapping the immense potential of 'hairy roots' as natural factories to produce medicines, food flavorings and other commercial products. The study, published in next month's Biotechnology Progress, focuses on a species of periwinkle that produces the anti-cancer drugs vincristine and vinblastine. Scientists hope to use the findings to boost production of the drugs.

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Keywords: hairy, roots, biofactories, root, biofactory

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