Story perspectives

UBC Researchers Unlock Sustainable Production of Rare Mitraphylline

11/5/2025

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Summary

Story summary

UBC Okanagan researchers led by Dr. Thu-Thuy Dang and doctoral student Tuan-Anh Nguyen identified two enzymes that build mitraphylline.
The findings offer a sustainable method to produce mitraphylline and related compounds, which occur only in trace amounts in plants.
Mitraphylline is a rare compound with potential anti-inflammatory and anti-tumor properties.
The project received support from Canadian and U.S. research organizations, and researchers plan to broaden therapeutic possibilities using these tools.

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Story summary

UBC Okanagan researchers led by Dr. Thu-Thuy Dang and doctoral student Tuan-Anh Nguyen identified two enzymes that build mitraphylline.
The findings offer a sustainable method to produce mitraphylline and related compounds, which occur only in trace amounts in plants.
Mitraphylline is a rare compound with potential anti-inflammatory and anti-tumor properties.
The project received support from Canadian and U.S. research organizations, and researchers plan to broaden therapeutic possibilities using these tools.