How is created flowers with unique colors?

Guess what? Scientists claim to have achieved a remarkable feat: crafting the world's first artificially engineered blue rose. While nature has blessed us with roses in various hues such as white, pink, yellow, and red, blue roses were missing from the spectrum. However, researchers from Tianjin University and the Chinese Academy of Sciences have made it possible by selecting two bacterial enzymes that work together to convert L-glutamine, found in rose petals, into the mystical blue pigment they call Indigo Dean.

To create the blue rose, the researchers injected these specially engineered bacteria, loaded with super pigment genes, into the petals of a plain white rose. The result? The petals started emanating an enchanting shade of blue from the injection site. But before you rush to your nearest gardening store, dreaming of your blue rose paradise, there are still some challenges to overcome. The color doesn't last long, and it is only present in certain parts of the petal. The researchers aim to engineer roses that can produce these precious enzymes on their own, without the need for injections, making them self-sufficient pigment factories.

Now, you might be thinking, "But I've seen blue roses before!" You're correct, but those roses are not naturally blue. There are a couple of tricks to achieve the blue color. One method involves introducing blue dye to the root system of roses, allowing the petals to turn a beautiful shade of blue. Alternatively, a white rose can be transformed using special, non-toxic floral spray paint designed specifically for flowers.

While nature has kept blue roses as a mystery, we can still embrace their symbolism and let our imaginations bloom. Blue roses symbolize the unattainable and the mysterious, representing our longing for the impossible and desires that seem out of reach. In some cultures, holding a blue rose is believed to grant the ability to have wishes magically fulfilled.

But why do flowers come in different colors? The genetics behind flower colors are fascinating. Flower colors are determined by tiny pigment molecules that gather in flower cells. The location, type, and quantity of these pigments are controlled by specific genes. There are two main groups of genes involved in flower color: those that produce the protein machinery responsible for creating pigment molecules, and regulatory genes that control where, what type, and how much pigment-producing machinery should be made.

The star players in this colorful extravaganza are anthocyanins and carotenoids, which give flowers their vibrant shades. Enzymes play a crucial role in the biochemical reactions that create these pigments. They catalyze the necessary chemical reactions, attaching, removing, and rearranging chemical groups to form beautiful pigment molecules. Different groups of enzymes work together to create anthocyanins and carotenoids, following specific pathways to bring their vibrant magic to life.

While floral genetics and genetic engineering open up new possibilities, nature itself has already produced extraordinary flowers that look as if they were designed in labs. Take, for example, the black bat flower (Tacca chantrieri), with its striking bat-like shape and captivating purplish-black hue. Or the white egret orchid, resembling a snowy egret bird gracefully taking flight. The corpse flower (Rafflesia arnoldi) is another eccentric creation, known for its enormous size, strong odor resembling rotting flesh, and its distinction as one of Indonesia's national flowers. Dancing girls, delicate blossoms found in East Africa, resemble dancing ladies in dresses and are treasured gems for plant enthusiasts due to their scarcity.

Flowers, with their stunning colors and intricate genetics, continue to captivate our imagination. As scientists delve into floral genetics and genetic engineering, we witness the merging of science and beauty, creating new possibilities for the world of flowers.