The Smolke lab at Stanford University used this transformation in yeast to express the genes of 21 different enzymes derived from plants, mammals, bacteria and yeast; when these genes are expressed and translated to protein, yeast were able to break down the sugar thebaine into opiod drugs like hydrocodone and morphine. This discovery will get rid of the need for poppy plants for the production of the opioid drugs and will speed up production time drastically. The researchers published their exciting work in the prestigious journal of Science [30]. 

1. DeLoache WC, Russ ZN, Narcross L, et al. An enzyme-coupled biosensor enables (S)-reticuline production in yeast from glucose. Nat Chem Biol. 2015. 11(7):465-71

2. Galanie S, Thodey K,  Trenchard I, et al. Complete biosynthesis of opioids in yeast. Science.2015;349 (6252):1095-1100.

 

link to Smolke lab website: http://smolkelab.weebly.com/