RESEARCH Transgenic expression of d h d

Full list of author information is available at the end of the articleBackground Polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) are hydrocarbon chains that are 18 to 22 carbons in length, and have two or more double bonds in their backbone structure. PUFAs are classified as omega-3 (ω-3) and omega-6 (ω-6) fatty acids (FAs), based on the position of the first double bond from the methyl end. PUFAs, especially ω-3 PUFAs, are essential dietary molecules with potential medicinal applications, and have recently become the focus of inten-sive research. The importance of ω-3 PUFAs in disease prevention and human nutrition has been scientifically recognized for a number of years. Intake of ω-3 PUFAs is reported to reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease [1-4], neurological disorder [5], inflammation [6-8], and cancer [9]. Stearidonic acid (SDA, 18:4n-3) is a highly unsatur-ated plant-based ω-3 PUFAs with potential health benefits. SDA is a metabolic intermediate in the conversion of α-linolenic acid (ALA, 18:3n-3) to eicosapentaenoic aci