Cannabis - Cannabinoid and Terpenoid Biosynthesis

Project Goals:..............Unraveling the Genetics and Biochemistry of Cannabinoid, Terpene, and Non-Terpene Aroma Volatile Formation in Cannabis
Collaborators: ............Science Team at Dewey Scientific
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Executive Summary

Since the original structural elucidation of tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) as a psychoactive principle in cannabis in the 1960s, the structures of 130 biogenic cannabinoids have been reported, some of which have shown promise in preclinical investigations. A second class of metabolites with high abundance in cannabis are monoterpenes and sesquiterpenes, which impart the distinctive aromas of different strains. Non-Terpene Volatiles, including short chain esters and sulfur-containing metabolites, are also important contributors to unique cannabis aromas across cultivars.  Our genetic and biochemical research identifies the properties of genes and enzymes responsible for the formation of cannabinoids and terpenes, and non-terpene volatiles in cannabis.

Popular Press Coverage

MjBizDaily (2022)

Cannabis Monthly Playbook (2022)

Cannabis Industry Journal (2022)

The Cannabis Scientist (2021)

Lab Manager Magazine (2020)

Cannabis Science Podcast on Spotify (2020)

Forbes.com (2019)

National Geographic (2019)

Spokesman Review (2019)

WSU Insider (2019)

Selected Recent Publications

Polito J.T., Lange B.M (2023) Standard operating procedures for the comprehensive and reliable analysis of cannabis terpenes. Methods Enzymol. . 680, 381-419.

Fleming H., Chamberlain Z., Zager J.J., Lange B.M. (2023) Controlled environments for cannabis cultivation to support 'omics' research studies and production.  Methods Enzymol.  680, 353-380.

Lange B.M., Zager J.J. (2022) Comprehensive inventory of cannabinoids in Cannabis sativa L.: Can we connect genotype and chemotype? Phytochem. Rev . 22, 449-465. Link

Zager J.J., Lange I., Srividya N., Smith A., Lange B.M. (2019) Gene networks underlying cannabinoid and terpenoid accumulation in cannabis. Plant Physiol. 180, 1877-1897.

Zager J.J., Lange B.M. (2018) Assessing flux distribution associated with metabolic specialization of glandular trichomes. Trends Plant Sci. 23, 638-647.