Tobacco-like plant engineered to pump out nutrients found in breast milk

Breakthrough could pave way for formula milk that more closely replicates health benefits of breastfeeding

Scientists have genetically engineered a close relative of the tobacco plant to pump out nutrients found in human breast milk.

The technology could pave the way for infant formula milk that more closely replicates health benefits of breastfeeding, according to the team behind the work. The study demonstrated that the genetically modified Nicotiana benthamiana could produce complex sugars called human milk oligosaccharides (HMOs) that boost healthy gut bacteria and have benefits for the infant immune system.