Genetics Might Help Grow the Perfect Cup of Coffee

           Coffee is the second most traded commodity on the planet, only being trumped by oil. There are myriad strains of coffee from different parts of the world. African coffees are renowned for being bright and vibrant, whereas Latin American strains are known for their delicate and intricate flavor. The science behind these strains is the science of genetics and how different breeding methods and crosses yield certain coffee types. Recent research has shown that these coffee attributes are significantly affected by gene expression between coffee grown at different altitudes.

         The modern coffee plant is under siege across the world. A fungus colloquially known as "rust" is killing coffee trees in droves in Central America, and coffee crops in Brazil are suffering from intense drought conditions. Therefore, the genetic understanding of coffee crops are essential to take steps forward in solving this unprecedented global problem.
         Farmers at Good Land Organics situated in Santa Barbara, California, are working in conjunction with researchers at the University of California to figured out a genetic solution to maximize immunity and crop yield simultaneously. Juan Medrano, at UC Davis, is specifically studying the effects of altitude on gene expression as a potential solution to the coffee epidemic.
         Regardless of possible solutions, what is agreed upon amongst scientists that the sakes are extremely high. London's Royal Botanical Gardens estimates that two thirds of coffee growing regions in Africa could be destroyed by 2080, and wild Arabica, the best selling coffee species, could be extinct by 2020. The future of coffee hinges on the genetic analysis of the beloved crops.

Main Article: http://www.geneticliteracyproject.org/2014/11/18/genetics-might-help-grow-the-perfect-cup-of-coffee/

Related Information: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Coffea_arabica

The DNA of "Black Death"

[caption id="attachment_7272" align="alignright" width="412" caption="Excavators dig up remains of Londoners believed to have died from the Black Death."][/caption]

According to Sciencedaily.com, construction workers in London recently unearthed a burial ground containing victims of the Black Death while digging a new railway line on the edge of historic Charterhouse Square. Archeologists that are currently excavating the burial site say that it contained more than a dozen remains of people suspected of dying from the plague that ravaged 14^th century Europe and claimed 75 million lives world-wide. Historical records revealed that a burial ground had been located in the area of the dig but were unclear as to the exact location until now. According to The Associated Press, thousands of Londoners were killed by the plague, though the exact number is unclear because record-keeping was so poor, said Roy Stephenson, head of the Museum of London's archaeological collections and archives.

Stephenson also said the bacillus is quite fragile and dies without a host so there is no chance that a new outbreak of bubonic plague might be ignited from the find.

The remains have been brought to the Museum of London Archaeology for testing. Project archaeologist Jay Carver said scientists will study the bones to confirm cause of death, and hope to map the DNA signature of the plague bacteria, which could be found in the teeth or bones of these victims. Radiocarbon dating could also be used to establish burial dates.

"This is a pretty rare find within London," Carver said Friday.

Though it may be a rare find these days in London, I have found that they are not all that uncommon around part of the rest of the country and other parts of Europe. The remains of over 75 million people are bound to crop up sooner or later with more of the world being transformed into modern communities. My concern is that though bacillus dies without a host, could it be possible that either a mutated strain is waiting to be revived or that a genetically modified version might rear it’s ugly head. Keep this away from Kim Jong-Un.