Next Generation Sequencing (NGS) and bioinformatic tools for regulation of medicinal plants

The project "Next Generation Sequencing (NGS) and bioinformatic tools for regulation of medicinal plants" will be a test case of the use of NGS barcodes for species identification in herbal medicinal products. The project will focus on Drimia (squill). Squill has a long history of medicinal use and is included in commercial herbal medicines manufactured, distributed and used in the UK. Correct identification and quantification of species or adulterants that might be present in commerce is important, since Drimia is toxic in large amounts and toxicity may vary between species and varieties. Hypotheses of evolutionary relationship and metabarcoding tools are needed to identify and quantify these components of herbal medicines.