Singaporean scientists have cracked the genome of Singapore's national flower

A*STAR's Singapore Genome Institute (GIS) and the Institute of Biodiversity Medicine (BD-MED) of Singapore Health Duke-National University of Singapore have deciphered the entire genetic blueprint of Singapore's national flower: the orchid (Papilionanthe Miss Joaquim, also known as Vanda Miss Joaquim, VMJ).

Through genomic analysis, chemical analysis further revealed natural products such as flavonols and anthocyanins, with their remarkable antioxidant properties and unique color patterns
.

VMJ was declared Singapore's national flower in 1981 and has since attracted locals and tourists
alike.
For the first time, the GIS and BD-MED teams assembled the entire VMJ genome using various gene sequencing techniques, revealing a total of 19 chromosomes spanning 2.
4 billion nucleic acid base pairs and about 32,000 genes
.
These genes influence the production of proteins that influence the traits and cellular processes of orchids and demonstrate the presence of natural products in our national flower that are responsible for their unique color, pigment, smell and other naturally bioactive compounds
.

Knowledge of the VMJ genome allowed the team to perform chemical analyses to reveal the antioxidant properties and unique color patterns of VMJs – flavonols and anthocyanins
.
Orchids have also been found to contain vandaterosides, a bioactive compound capable of slowing down the skin aging process of Papilionanthe's cylindrical VMJ seed parent
.

Professor Teh Bin Tean, Director of the Faculty of Medicine at Duke University of Health Singapore and Senior Group Head of the A*STAR GIS Biodiversity Genomics Laboratory, said: "We are delighted to have been able to construct and decipher the genetic blueprint of our national flower and hope that this achievement will make a significant contribution
to our national heritage.
VMJ is a gorgeous orchid hybrid that is widely used as a breeding stalk
for more than 400 orchid hybrids.
Studying its genome composition helps us better understand how to enhance genomic resources and paves the way
for future research into gene and metabolite engineering.
Deciphering the genetic code of plant group species like VMJ also allows us to discover naturally occurring bioactive compounds that can be used for healthcare purposes and to understand, prevent, and fight disease
.
”

Professor Tan Chi Keung, Executive Director of GIS, said: "Singapore's biodiversity is very representative, with more than 4,000 native plant species threatened by global climate abnormalities and problems
.
Thanks to advances in sequencing technology, we are able to preserve the genomes
of plant groups by preserving the genetic code through sequencing.
We are very honored to start our journey
of studying Singapore's plant biodiversity with our national flower.
”