{"id":237163,"date":"2026-07-09T09:48:27","date_gmt":"2026-07-09T19:48:27","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.hawaii.edu\/news\/?p=237163"},"modified":"2026-07-09T09:48:27","modified_gmt":"2026-07-09T19:48:27","slug":"plants-healing-power","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.hawaii.edu\/news\/2026\/07\/09\/plants-healing-power\/","title":{"rendered":"Mapping genetic blueprints of Hawaiʻi\u2019s healing plants"},"content":{"rendered":"Reading time: <\/span> 2<\/span> minutes<\/span><\/span>
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CTAHR<\/abbr> research examines ‘bio-factory’ inside noni plants to naturally encourage them to produce more antioxidants and healing chemicals.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

For centuries, plants like māmaki<\/span> and noni have been used to heal and restore. Now, a researcher at the University of Hawaiʻi<\/span> at Mānoa<\/span> is using bioengineering to better understand how these plants produce their healing power and how to naturally boost those medicinal properties for the future.<\/p>\n

Nan Jiang, an assistant professor in the Department of Molecular Biosciences and Bioengineering in the College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resilience<\/a> (CTAHR<\/abbr>), is leading a first-ever study to map the genetic and chemical blueprints of some of Hawaiʻi\u2019s<\/span> most significant medicinal plants.<\/p>\n

Bio-factories<\/h2>\n
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Research into noni moringa plants can help local entrepreneurs produce a higher quality of health products and supplements for consumers.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

His research focuses on the anti-cancer, anti-inflammatory and antioxidant compounds found in noni, māmaki<\/span> and moringa.<\/p>\n

“We are looking at the ‘bio-factory’ inside the cells,” Jiang said. “If we can identify the limiting steps in how a plant produces an antioxidant, we can use natural breeding or environmental triggers to boost that production.”<\/p>\n

To decode these complex processes, Jiang uses a new ally: Nicotiana benthamiana<\/em>, a relative of tobacco, as a research tool. His lab tests specific enzymes from plants such as noni and moringa in Nicotiana<\/em> plants, using them as natural incubators to see which genetic combinations yield the highest medicinal value.<\/p>\n

The research has practical applications for Hawaiʻi\u2019s<\/span> economy. Many local entrepreneurs produce teas, powders and supplements using native plants, and Jiang\u2019s research has the potential to increase the potency and quality of these health products.<\/p>\n

Growing resilience<\/h2>\n

The project, which has been underway for more than a year, is an example of the mission of the CTAHR<\/abbr>. By focusing on plants that are uniquely suited to the islands’ environment, Jiang is helping to build a more resilient future for both local agriculture and community health. This research is supported by the CTAHR<\/abbr> CARES<\/abbr> Initiative and the Mamoru and Aiko Takitani Foundation.<\/p>\n

“Our greenhouse and lab work is designed to honor the plants that are native to this place and find ways to make their healing properties more accessible to everyone.”<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

糖心视频<\/abbr> research is focusing on the anti-cancer, anti-inflammatory and antioxidant compounds found in noni, māmaki<\/span> and moringa.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":16,"featured_media":237170,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[30],"tags":[222,212,1363,1314,1010,731,73,9],"class_list":["post-237163","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-research","tag-agriculture","tag-college-of-tropical-agriculture-and-human-resilience","tag-manoa-research","tag-manoa-sustainability","tag-molecular-biosciences-and-bioengineering","tag-plants","tag-sustainability","tag-uh-manoa","entry","has-media"],"aioseo_notices":[],"aioseo_head":"\n\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t