A team of scientists claims that they have produced the world's first engineered blue rose by injecting bacteria in the petals of a white rose.
A team of scientists claim that they have produced the world's first engineered blue rose by injecting bacteria in the petals of a white rose.
New Delhi,UPDATED: Oct 13, 2018 17:55 IST
For centuries, gardeners have tried to breed blue roses but were unsuccessful every time. Now, thanks to modern biotechnology, it may soon be possible to breed blue roses in gardens.
What made the breeding possible?
Scientists found a way to express pigment-producing enzymes from bacteria in the petals of a white rose, toning the flowers blue.
According to a study published in the journal 'American Chemical Society, Synthetic Biology,' researchers chose two bacterial enzymes that together can convert L-glutamine, a common constituent of rose petals, into the blue pigment indigoidine.
Do blue roses naturally exist in nature?
No, blue roses do not exist in nature but florists can produce blue-hued flowers by placing cut roses in the dye.
In a painstaking 20-year effort, researchers with the Suntory Global Innovation Center in Japan had earlier made a blue rose in 2004 through a combination of genetic engineering and selective breeding.
The Blue Rose was developed by Suntory Flowers.(Image: suntory.com)
However, the rose seemed more mauve-coloured than blue.
Researchers from the Chinese Academy of Sciences and Tianjin University in China wanted to develop a simple process that could produce a true-blue rose.
To achieve this, the team engineered a strain of Agrobacterium tumefaciens that contains the two pigment-producing genes, which originate from a different species of bacteria.
Also read | Here's how the world's first flower looked like
What is Agrobacterium tumefaciens?
- Agrobacterium tumefaciens is a widespread naturally occurring soil bacterium that causes crown gall and has the ability to introduce new genetic material into the plant cell
- It is often used in plant biotechnology because the bacteria readily insert foreign DNA into plant genomes
- Agrobacterium is well known for its ability to transfer DNA between itself and plants, and for this reason, it has become an important tool for genetic engineering.
What did the researchers do to achieve the blue colour?
By expressing bacterial genes, white rose petals can take on a blue hue.(Image: American Chemical Society)
When the researchers injected the engineered bacteria into a white rose petal, the bacteria transferred the pigment-producing genes to the rose genome, and a blue colour spread from the injection site.
Although the colour is short-lived and spotty, the team states that the rose produced in this study is the world's first engineered blue rose.
They say that the next step is to engineer roses that produce the two enzymes themselves, without the need for injections.
Also read | Did you know there's a flower which looks like a dead human face? Here are 14 more bizarre flowers!
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Published On:
Oct 13, 2018
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FAQs
Blue Roses, which were created after roughly 14 years of researching, became the world's first genuine roses with blue pigment petals. This was accomplished by inserting genes taken from pansies into roses to make their pigment blue.
What was the first blue rose in the world? ›
The first blue roses in the world were named "SUNTORY blue rose APPLAUSE," and marketed. The applause means cheers, and the blue roses signified "dreams come true" in the language of flowers.
Are there any true blue roses? ›
Since blue roses do not exist in nature, as roses lack the specific gene that has the ability to produce a "true blue" color, blue roses are traditionally created by dyeing white roses.
What is the myth of the blue rose? ›
Myths of the Blue Rose
There are a lot of myths surrounding the blue rose. These are the most common: It's the blue rose that unites lovers who have been separated. The color of the rose represents the strength of the love that would bring the lovers together again.
When did blue roses come out? ›
The Japanese company continued with their research and in 2004 the first genetically modified rose with the blue gene was created. This is the origin of blue roses. Later, in 2009 the transgenic blue rose was exhibited at the International Exposition in Tokyo, going on sale that same year.
Which country made the blue rose? ›
there is no naturally occurring blue rose found in any country. While there have been attempts to genetically engineer a blue rose, the color blue is not naturally present in roses. The closest color to blue found in roses is a lavender or lilac hue.
What is the rarest rose color? ›
Because the Blue Rose is the rarest color of rose, you can expect the price of the flower to be higher than other colors. Due to the fact that the blue rose is a unique rare color, it is best to contact your florist well in advance when ordering a bouquet of these mysterious flowers.
What is the only true blue flower? ›
Dwarf plumbago, which only reaches 18 inches in height, has foliage that turns orange and red before dropping off in the fall. The flowers of these two plants are as true blue as any I have ever seen. Of course, you could create a garden with nothing but blue flowers.
How do florists get blue roses? ›
So, the blue roses of today are created with human intervention. One way to achieve a blue rose is to include blue dye around the root system of the roses and/or harvest the stems from the plant and place them into water containing blue dye. The stem drinks the blue water causing the petals to turn blue.
Is blue the rarest rose? ›
People have tried to find them or create them artificially, but because of the absence of a necessary gene, blue roses remain super rare. That's why these flowers have become a symbol of dreaming big and aiming for the stars.
As the general rose is associated with love, the blue rose can be commonly associated with unrequited love or true love. Possibly, true love that sadly only goes one way. Blue roses with a lighter hue symbolize sensitivity and feelings. Although, they do not represent romantic feelings.
What does the blue rose mean in the Bible? ›
Blue roses: While not naturally occurring, these could symbolize a longing for the unattainable or a sense of tranquility on your spiritual path. Yellow roses: May indicate joy and friendship but could also caution against deceit, aligning with biblical symbolism of betrayal.
What do blue roses mean in Japan? ›
Currently, the symbolism of the rose color is universal: a white rose is spiritual love, red is passion, yellow is recognition and admiration; red and white roses combined in one bouquet mean harmonious love, and a blue rose is an achievement of the impossible. More roses.
Why are blue roses so expensive? ›
Blue roses can cost more than other varieties of roses, whether they are grown naturally or artificially. This is because blue roses are more expensive due to their rarity and difficulty in production.
Do purple roses exist? ›
Purple roses, while not as common as other rose colors like red or pink, are still popular among rose enthusiasts and flower lovers. They are sought after for their unique and captivating appearance, making them a desirable choice for special occasions and floral arrangements.
What is the rarest rose in the world? ›
Juliet Rose – Rarest Rose
The Juliet Rose is not only considered to be one of the rarest flowers in the world, but it's also the rarest rose in the world because it took 15 years for rose breeder David Austin to cultivate the flower in England. Additionally, it cost him a whopping $4.3 million to do so.
What is the blue rose in the order? ›
The Order follows college student Jack Morton (Jake Manley) as he joins the Hermetic Order of the Blue Rose, a secret society that teaches and practices magic.
Which is the rarest rose in the world? ›
The Juliet Rose is not only considered to be one of the rarest flowers in the world, but it's also the rarest rose in the world because it took 15 years for rose breeder David Austin to cultivate the flower in England.
What is the oldest rose? ›
2. The world's oldest living rose is believed to be 1,000 years old. It grows on the wall of the Cathedral of Hildesheim in Germany and its presence is documented since A.D. 815.
