Biotech Updates

Research Funding for Rape, Barley, and Wheat

June 17, 2011

The Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC) announced the first set of projects to be funded by the £7M Crop Improvement Research Club (CIRC). Research projects, funded by BBSRC, the Scottish Government and 14 companies aim to improve the quality and yield of oilseed rape, barley and wheat. Areas of concern include improving yield and processing, and developing pest and disease resistance.

The projects include: development and validation of a flexible genotyping platform for wheat by the University of Bristol; increased pest resistance in oilseed rape mediated by an enhanced UV-B response by the University of Glasgow; manipulation of photosynthetic carbon metabolism in wheat to improve yield by Rothamsted Research; and exploiting sources of resistance to Turnip yellows virus for deployment in oilseed rape by University of Warwick.

Full details are at http://www.bbsrc.ac.uk/news/food-security/2011/110615-pr-improved-crops-food-security.aspx