United States: Scientists advance understanding of hop genome, which could aid brewers, medical researchers

Researchers from Oregon State University and the U.S. Department of Agriculture have made a significant advancement in understanding the hop genome, a finding that could benefit the brewing industry and those studying the potential medical benefits of hops. The research, published in the journal The Plant Genome, details the sequencing of the genome of the Cascade hop cultivar, a crucial variety for the craft beer industry. This understanding could facilitate the development of new hop varieties with improved characteristics and could also lead to the discovery of new compounds with health benefits. The hop genome, large and complex, has been a challenge to sequence in the past, but new technology has enabled a more comprehensive sequence, revealing similarities to genes involved in CBD production.