EDMONTON, Alberta, Oct. 2, 2024 – PRESS RELEASE – Aurora Cannabis Inc., the Canadian-based leading global medical cannabis company, announced a research grant provided to the University of British Columbia (UBC) by Genome British Columbia (Genome BC), a not-for-profit organization supporting world-class genomics research and innovation in British Columbia.
The project, Genomics-enabled Aroma Breeding in Cannabis, will directly support Aurora's genetics work. The project is led by Drs. Jose Celedon, Principal Scientist, Breeding and Genetics at Aurora, and by Joerg Bohlmann, a professor at UBC, and is focused on validating genetic and chemical markers for fruity aroma in cannabis. This meaningful genetics research aligns with Aurora's breeding goals and will enable the company to enhance its breeding program with greater accuracy and efficiency on consumer-focused traits, positively impacting future innovation.
"Through this work Aurora will deepen our understanding of cannabis genetics with a focus on aromas, a leading driver of consumer preference that directly impacts the user experience," Celedon said. "By collaborating with UBC on this Genome BC-funded project, we are able to fully execute this aroma research without the typical financial constraints, allowing us to continue simultaneous work on additional important breeding traits, such as yield, potency and disease resistance. We are eager to see the outcomes of our work and the impact on the future of cannabis breeding."
Aroma is a distinct characteristic of cannabis and an important aspect of consumer inclination. As a leader with one of the most advanced cannabis genetic libraries globally, Aurora will move beyond sensory analysis and into validated aroma markers with this research. Recently, Aurora patented a series of genetic and chemical markers for fruity aroma, identified through its CanD diversity panel. This collaboration will allow Aurora to validate these markers using cutting-edge approaches that would otherwise require significant funding. The data generated from this work will support the discovery and launch of cultivars with unique and improved aromas, alongside high yield and potency.
Aurora's in-kind contributions to the project include conducting sensory analysis of fruity aromas and leading bioinformatic analyses with in-house software. UBC's contributions to the project through Genome BC funding will involve sequencing transcriptomes, analyzing the volatile chemistry, and conducting functional characterization of the genes responsible for fruity aromas in cannabis. If successful, the methods developed in this project will be adapted to explore other aromas and could further strengthen Aurora's aroma-related intellectual property portfolio.
This collaboration with UBC underscores Aurora's commitment to innovation and scientific advancement in the cannabis sector. Aurora continues to push the boundaries of cannabis research and development, setting new standards for product quality and consumer satisfaction.
