Scientists Sequence Genome of Lavender

   A team of scientists at Brock University and the University of British Columbia has sequenced the genome of English lavender (Lavandula angustifolia), a plant that is widely grown around the world.

   Creating the first draft genome assembly for English lavender, the researchers found that lavender has a moderately repeated (over 48% repeated elements) genome of 870 million base pairs. This comes out to 62,141 protein-coding genes and 2,003 RNA-coding genes.

   “Researchers now have access to the lavender genome sequence and from here, they can discover more about the plant,” said Dr. Ping Liang of Brock University. “Given the economic status of lavender and its applications of essential oils in many industries, the lavender draft genome sequence serves as a significant genetic resource for continued lavender research.”

   Used widely throughout the world in various products such as perfumes, pharmaceutical preparations, cosmetics and antiseptics, lavender and its hybrid counterparts are valued for their essential oils. With production rates reaching over 1,500 metric tons annually, lavender plays a large role in the multi-billion-dollar flavour and fragrance industry worldwide.

Read more about this fascinating story at: http://www.sci-news.com/genetics/lavender-genome-06501.html

Or read the scientific study here: https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007%2Fs00425-018-3012-9

Image credit: Rebekka D.