Researchers unlock gene secrets of opium poppy

Scientists at the University of Calgary announced Sunday they have unlocked one of the genetic secrets of the opium poppy - a discovery that may open the door to cheaper and more readily available pain relief.

Biological sciences professor Peter Facchini said they have traced the unique genes that allow the opium poppy to make codeine and morphine...

Using high-tech scanning equipment, she sorted through up to 23,000 different genes contained on one tiny slide.

More than a year ago, on Feb. 4, 2009, she ultimately located a gene called codeine /O/-dementhylase, which produces the plant enzyme that converts codeine into morphine.

"It was finding the needle in a haystack," said Facchini.

[Thanks Thomas!]