Mysterious Origins of the Nicotine Molecule Are Finally Revealed

Researchers in the UK and Denmark mapped how tobacco makes nicotine, identifying key genes and enzymes such as NaGR and NicGS.

They showed the pathway works through a glucose-dependent process in plants and test systems.

The discovery could help breed or engineer low-nicotine tobacco for molecular farming.

It may also improve tobacco-based production of medicines, vaccines, and other pharmaceutical compounds.