Those pesky yellow flowers in your front lawn may have a better use than originally believed. Dandelions are plentiful, easy to grow, and may actually be able to make rubber.

The magic ingredient is a protein named polyisoprene, a main component of rubber. In the dandelion, the milky fluid is produced by special globular cells in the plant. There is also a special coating of the cells providing a protective cover.

So far, these findings from scientists at Munster University, the Münster branch of the Fraunhofer Institute for Molecular Biology and Applied Ecology IME, the Technische Universität München (TUM) and TRM Ltd. (York, UK) have been explored using a Russian dandelion.

The team found that Taraxacum kok-saghyz is the one special protein, Apparently, if this protein is not found in the plant or if the production of the protein has somehow been shut off, the plant will not produce rubber.

To date, it is not feasible to manufacture rubber biochemically.  Researchers at the IME and Munster University also found a another protein published in another study. This protein lends to the elasticity and resilience by forming  long polyisoprene chains.

Even though producing rubber biochemically through may be years away, it has brought the chance for it to become a possibility much nearer to a possible goal.

It also seems that the lack of production of rubber in the dandelion brings its own questions. One of the next study’s will look at the actual role of rubber in the plant. One idea is, if present, it may provide certain pathnogenic protection to the dandelion.

“Dandelions have become well-known recently in particular as a result of applied research,” explains head of research Dr. Christian Schulze Gronover (IME, Münster branch). “Now we are pleased to have some news again from the field of basic research: we have been able to identify no fewer than two key components of rubber biosynthesis.”