Field assessment of ultra-low asparagine, low acrylamide, gene edited wheat
Lead Research Organisation:
Rothamsted Research
Department Name: Sustainable Soils and Crops
Abstract
The presence of acrylamide in popular foods has become one of the most difficult problems facing the food industry and its supply chain. Acrylamide is a contaminant that forms from an amino acid called asparagine in its free (non-protein) form and sugars such as glucose, fructose and maltose. The reaction occurs during frying, baking, roasting, toasting and high-temperature processing. Acrylamide is classified as probably cancer-causing in humans and affects development and fertility at high doses. Products made from wheat and other cereals are major sources of dietary acrylamide.
Acrylamide in food is covered by regulation (EU) 2017/2158 (2018), which set Benchmark Levels for the presence of acrylamide in food, described compulsory mitigation measures and required all food businesses to monitor the levels of acrylamide in their products.
Methods developed to limit acrylamide formation during processing do not work for all products, may adversely affect product quality and are expensive to implement. Our approach has been to lower the acrylamide-forming potential of crop products: for wheat and other cereals that means reducing the concentration of free asparagine in the grain.
The project arises from previous BBSRC-funded work in which we have demonstrated large varietal differences in free asparagine concentration in wheat grain and shown it to be highly responsive to sulphur deficiency and other nutritional and environmental stress factors, as well as disease. Asparagine is made by an enzyme called asparagine synthetase and wheat has five genes that encode this enzyme. One of these genes, TaASN2, has emerged as a genetic target because it is highly active specifically in the grain.
In our current work, involving teams at Rothamsted Research, Univ. of Bristol and partners AHDB, KWS, Limagrain, RAGT, Saaten Union and Syngenta, we have used the genome editing technique, CRISPR-Cas9, to knock out TaASN2 genes. In addition, we have screened a wheat population in which mutations have been introduced by chemical mutagenesis (a much older technique that has been used in plant breeding since the 1950s) and identified lines with mutations in each of the six versions of TaASN2 in the wheat genome. The TaASN2 mutations in these lines are being 'stacked' by one of our partners and partial knockouts will be available by Year 2 of the project. The concentration of free asparagine in one of the CRISPR lines is reduced by approximately 90%. The aim of this project, which will continue the partnership with Univ. of Bristol, AHDB, Limagrain, RAGT, Saaten Union and Syngenta, is to undertake field trials of these ultra-low asparagine wheat lines with a view to the development of low acrylamide wheat varieties for the UK market.
In year 1 we will bulk up seed for the trial. We will also investigate the germination rate of the CRISPR lines: they have shown poor germination so far but this can be reversed by treatment with low concentrations of asparagine. We will check the efficacy and practicality of the asparagine and other potential treatments. We will also develop genetic markers/tools to enable breeders to integrate the ultra-low asparagine trait into breeding lines. Lastly, we will prepare a risk assessment and submit an application for permission to hold the field trial.
In year 2 we will conduct the field trial, analysing the low asparagine lines for emergence, physical characteristics, developmental differences, composition, yield and other agronomic characteristics. We will also conduct glasshouse experiments to ascertain whether the low asparagine lines respond to sulphur deficiency in the same way as normal wheat.
The project would represent a landmark for crop gene editing, with the field trial, to our knowledge, being the first for gene edited wheat in the UK and Europe, while the involvement of AHDB and wheat breeders will provide a direct pathway to commercialisation if the plants perform well in the field trial.
Acrylamide in food is covered by regulation (EU) 2017/2158 (2018), which set Benchmark Levels for the presence of acrylamide in food, described compulsory mitigation measures and required all food businesses to monitor the levels of acrylamide in their products.
Methods developed to limit acrylamide formation during processing do not work for all products, may adversely affect product quality and are expensive to implement. Our approach has been to lower the acrylamide-forming potential of crop products: for wheat and other cereals that means reducing the concentration of free asparagine in the grain.
The project arises from previous BBSRC-funded work in which we have demonstrated large varietal differences in free asparagine concentration in wheat grain and shown it to be highly responsive to sulphur deficiency and other nutritional and environmental stress factors, as well as disease. Asparagine is made by an enzyme called asparagine synthetase and wheat has five genes that encode this enzyme. One of these genes, TaASN2, has emerged as a genetic target because it is highly active specifically in the grain.
In our current work, involving teams at Rothamsted Research, Univ. of Bristol and partners AHDB, KWS, Limagrain, RAGT, Saaten Union and Syngenta, we have used the genome editing technique, CRISPR-Cas9, to knock out TaASN2 genes. In addition, we have screened a wheat population in which mutations have been introduced by chemical mutagenesis (a much older technique that has been used in plant breeding since the 1950s) and identified lines with mutations in each of the six versions of TaASN2 in the wheat genome. The TaASN2 mutations in these lines are being 'stacked' by one of our partners and partial knockouts will be available by Year 2 of the project. The concentration of free asparagine in one of the CRISPR lines is reduced by approximately 90%. The aim of this project, which will continue the partnership with Univ. of Bristol, AHDB, Limagrain, RAGT, Saaten Union and Syngenta, is to undertake field trials of these ultra-low asparagine wheat lines with a view to the development of low acrylamide wheat varieties for the UK market.
In year 1 we will bulk up seed for the trial. We will also investigate the germination rate of the CRISPR lines: they have shown poor germination so far but this can be reversed by treatment with low concentrations of asparagine. We will check the efficacy and practicality of the asparagine and other potential treatments. We will also develop genetic markers/tools to enable breeders to integrate the ultra-low asparagine trait into breeding lines. Lastly, we will prepare a risk assessment and submit an application for permission to hold the field trial.
In year 2 we will conduct the field trial, analysing the low asparagine lines for emergence, physical characteristics, developmental differences, composition, yield and other agronomic characteristics. We will also conduct glasshouse experiments to ascertain whether the low asparagine lines respond to sulphur deficiency in the same way as normal wheat.
The project would represent a landmark for crop gene editing, with the field trial, to our knowledge, being the first for gene edited wheat in the UK and Europe, while the involvement of AHDB and wheat breeders will provide a direct pathway to commercialisation if the plants perform well in the field trial.
Organisations
- Rothamsted Research (Lead Research Organisation)
- RAGT Seeds (Collaboration)
- Agricultural and Horticulture Development Board (Collaboration)
- Syngenta International AG (Collaboration)
- KWS UK (Collaboration)
- Saaten-Union Biotec GmbH (Collaboration)
- Limagrain (Collaboration)
- University of Bristol (Collaboration)
- Limagrain (United Kingdom) (Project Partner)
- Saaten Union (United Kingdom) (Project Partner)
- RAGT Seeds (United Kingdom) (Project Partner)
- Syngenta (United Kingdom) (Project Partner)
- Agriculture and Horticulture Development Board (Project Partner)
Publications
Halford N
(2022)
Progress towards the production of potatoes and cereals with low acrylamide-forming potential
in Current Opinion in Food Science
Oddy J
(2022)
Understanding the Relationships between Free Asparagine in Grain and Other Traits to Breed Low-Asparagine Wheat.
in Plants (Basel, Switzerland)
Oddy J
(2023)
Reducing Dietary Acrylamide Exposure from Wheat Products through Crop Management and Imaging.
in Journal of agricultural and food chemistry
Oddy J
(2023)
Genetic control of grain amino acid composition in a UK soft wheat mapping population.
in The plant genome
Raffan S
(2023)
Field assessment of genome-edited, low asparagine wheat: Europe's first CRISPR wheat field trial.
in Plant biotechnology journal
Raffan S
(2022)
Epigenetic switch reveals CRISPR/Cas9 response to cytosine methylation in plants.
in The New phytologist
Raffan S
(2021)
Wheat with greatly reduced accumulation of free asparagine in the grain, produced by CRISPR/Cas9 editing of asparagine synthetase gene TaASN2
in Plant Biotechnology Journal
Raffan S
(2021)
Cereal asparagine synthetase genes.
in The Annals of applied biology
Description | We had reported previously the generation of wheat genotypes in which the asparagine synthetase gene, TaASN2, had been 'knocked out' using CRISPR-Cas9. The editing had been achieved by introducing genes encoding the Cas9 nuclease, four guide RNAs (gRNAs) and a Bar marker gene into wheat (Triticum aestivum) cv. Cadenza. In this project we undertook a field trial of Line 178.35, with just the A genome TaASN2 knocked out, and lines 23.60 and 23.75, with the A, B and D genome TaASN2 genes knocked out (total nulls). Also included were four AB genome nulls, referred to as TILLING lines 1-4, derived from a selected line of a mutant population produced by ethyl methanesulphonate treatment of wheat cv. Cadenza seeds . The mutated TaASN2-A2 gene from this line was backcrossed into the cv. Claire background to generate AB genome nulls (cv. Claire lacks a B genome TaASN2 gene due to a 'natural' deletion. The field trial was planted in October 2021 and harvested in August 2022. This was Europe's first CRISPR wheat field trial. The study showed that step reductions (just over half) in the free asparagine concentration of wheat grain achieved using genome editing are maintained in the field, with a concomitant effect on acrylamide formation in heated flour and with no significant effects on yield or nitrogen content, at least within the single year/site trial undertaken in the project. We also demonstrated that we could produce transgene-free plants of an edited line and these have been registered as Qualifying Higher Plants under Schedule 3A of the Genetically Modified Organisms (Deliberate Release) (Amendment) (England) Regulations 2022. |
Exploitation Route | The availability of low acrylamide wheat could enable food businesses to comply with evolving regulations on acrylamide without costly changes to production lines or reductions in product quality. It could also have a significant impact on dietary acrylamide intake for consumers. A second year's trial is underway, with funding from the food industry. The genotypes tested in the trial will be made available to breeders if requested. GE crops will only be developed for commercial use if the right regulatory framework is in place and breeders are confident that they will get a return on their investment in GE varieties. The completion of the passage of the Genetic Technology (Precision Breeding) Bill through Parliament will be an important part of this. |
Sectors | Agriculture Food and Drink |
URL | https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/pbi.14026 |
Description | The project included the first field trial of CRISPR wheat in Europe. As such, it was referred to within Rothamsted's submission to the DEFRA public consultation on genome editing, and was included in DEFRA's explanation notes in support of the Genetic Technology (Precision Breeding) Bill. The field trial was featured on BBC's Countryfile and Sky News, and the results of the project were widely reported in the non-specialist media, including The Times, The Telegraph, New Scientist and Radio 4. This contribution to the public discourse on genome editing of crops is a major impact of the project. The project was also supported by a consortium of organisations including 5 plant breeding companies and AHDB and was a demonstration to those organisations of what can be achieved in crop improvement using genome editing. Grain from TILLING lines (produced by chemical mutagenesis) with low asparagine content has been provided to breeders. The genome edited and TILLING lines were the basis of an application for funding made to the call for Small R&D Partnership Projects, part of the Farming Innovation Programme of Innovate UK. The application, entitled 'A Platform to Rate Organisms Bred for Improved Traits and Yield, PROBITY' is led by BOFIN and involves multiple academic and private sector partners. It has been provisionally approved. |
First Year Of Impact | 2022 |
Sector | Agriculture, Food and Drink |
Impact Types | Cultural Societal Economic Policy & public services |
Description | Co-wrote Rothamsted's submission to the DEFRA public consultation on GE, March 2021. |
Geographic Reach | National |
Policy Influence Type | Contribution to a national consultation/review |
Description | Discussed GE and GM with Gideon Henderson, DEFRA Chief Scientist, 30th June 2021 |
Geographic Reach | National |
Policy Influence Type | Contribution to a national consultation/review |
Description | Discussion on GM/GE with Victoria Prentis MP, Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Farming, Fisheries and Food. |
Geographic Reach | National |
Policy Influence Type | Contribution to a national consultation/review |
Description | Hosted USDA Trade Delegation, including US Deputy Secretary of Agriculture, Jewel Bronaugh, and US Agricultural Counsellor for the UK, Cynthia Guven; GE field trial; 24th June 2022. |
Geographic Reach | North America |
Policy Influence Type | Contribution to a national consultation/review |
Impact | Better understanding within the USDA trade team of regulatory developments in the UK and Europe affecting GE crops |
Description | Meeting with FSA delegation to discuss framework for assessing and authorising PBOs |
Geographic Reach | National |
Policy Influence Type | Contribution to a national consultation/review |
Impact | The FSA proposes a relatively light touch process for assessing PBOs, in line with the scientific consensus. |
Description | Meeting with members of DEFRA GM/GE team on PBO definitions and regulations. June 27th 2022. |
Geographic Reach | National |
Policy Influence Type | Contribution to a national consultation/review |
Impact | Influenced definition of PBO to be used in the bill. |
Description | Member of the team that hosted DEFRA SoS, George Eustice MP, for his visit, discussions and announcement on GE regulations, September 2021. |
Geographic Reach | National |
Policy Influence Type | Contribution to a national consultation/review |
Description | Participant, Scotland Plant Health workshop on genome editing. 14th September 2021 |
Geographic Reach | National |
Policy Influence Type | Contribution to a national consultation/review |
Description | Provided comment to DEFRA's Genetic Resources and GM Reform team on ACRE's draft updated guidance for the release of Precision Bred (PB) plants, 1st June 2022. |
Geographic Reach | National |
Policy Influence Type | Contribution to a national consultation/review |
Impact | Influenced the drafting of the Genetic Technology (Precision Breeding) Bill |
Description | Witness for the Public Bills Committee scrutiny of the Genetic Technology (Precision Breeding) Bill, Portcullis House, Westminster, 28th June 2022: |
Geographic Reach | National |
Policy Influence Type | Contribution to a national consultation/review |
Impact | Hopefully we helped in the process of this bill passing through Parliament. |
URL | https://www.theyworkforyou.com/pbc/2022-23/Genetic_Technology_%28Precision_Breeding%29_Bill/ |
Description | 21ENGBIO: Re-engineering amino acid metabolism in wheat grain |
Amount | £100,021 (GBP) |
Funding ID | BB/W011999/1 |
Organisation | Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC) |
Sector | Public |
Country | United Kingdom |
Start | 01/2022 |
End | 01/2023 |
Description | SWBio DTP |
Amount | £120,000 (GBP) |
Organisation | South West Doctoral Training Cenre |
Sector | Public |
Country | United Kingdom |
Start | 09/2022 |
End | 09/2026 |
Description | Genome editing for low acrylamide wheat |
Organisation | Agricultural and Horticulture Development Board |
Country | United Kingdom |
Sector | Charity/Non Profit |
PI Contribution | This collaboration began with a BBSRC/SW-DTP CASE studentship to make step changes to the acrylamide-forming potential of wheat through the exploitation of lines carrying induced mutations in key genes of asparagine metabolism and by knocking out genes using genome editing techniques. It carried on through the Super Follow-on funded project: Field assessment of ultra-low asparagine, low acrylamide, gene edited wheat. |
Collaborator Contribution | Partners in CASE studentship and follow-on project. KWS hosted one of the student's rotations, while RAGT provided great support through the development of TILLING lines carrying mutations in the TaASN2 gene and crossing them into the Claire background. |
Impact | Multiple papers have arisen as a result of this collaboration, listed in the separate sections of the form. It led to Europe's first CRISPR wheat field trial, and our many contributions to the genome editing debate were made possible by the outcomes of the collaboration. It also led on to additional funding from another commercial partner. General Mills. |
Start Year | 2016 |
Description | Genome editing for low acrylamide wheat |
Organisation | KWS UK |
Country | United Kingdom |
Sector | Private |
PI Contribution | This collaboration began with a BBSRC/SW-DTP CASE studentship to make step changes to the acrylamide-forming potential of wheat through the exploitation of lines carrying induced mutations in key genes of asparagine metabolism and by knocking out genes using genome editing techniques. It carried on through the Super Follow-on funded project: Field assessment of ultra-low asparagine, low acrylamide, gene edited wheat. |
Collaborator Contribution | Partners in CASE studentship and follow-on project. KWS hosted one of the student's rotations, while RAGT provided great support through the development of TILLING lines carrying mutations in the TaASN2 gene and crossing them into the Claire background. |
Impact | Multiple papers have arisen as a result of this collaboration, listed in the separate sections of the form. It led to Europe's first CRISPR wheat field trial, and our many contributions to the genome editing debate were made possible by the outcomes of the collaboration. It also led on to additional funding from another commercial partner. General Mills. |
Start Year | 2016 |
Description | Genome editing for low acrylamide wheat |
Organisation | Limagrain |
Country | France |
Sector | Private |
PI Contribution | This collaboration began with a BBSRC/SW-DTP CASE studentship to make step changes to the acrylamide-forming potential of wheat through the exploitation of lines carrying induced mutations in key genes of asparagine metabolism and by knocking out genes using genome editing techniques. It carried on through the Super Follow-on funded project: Field assessment of ultra-low asparagine, low acrylamide, gene edited wheat. |
Collaborator Contribution | Partners in CASE studentship and follow-on project. KWS hosted one of the student's rotations, while RAGT provided great support through the development of TILLING lines carrying mutations in the TaASN2 gene and crossing them into the Claire background. |
Impact | Multiple papers have arisen as a result of this collaboration, listed in the separate sections of the form. It led to Europe's first CRISPR wheat field trial, and our many contributions to the genome editing debate were made possible by the outcomes of the collaboration. It also led on to additional funding from another commercial partner. General Mills. |
Start Year | 2016 |
Description | Genome editing for low acrylamide wheat |
Organisation | RAGT Seeds |
Country | United Kingdom |
Sector | Private |
PI Contribution | This collaboration began with a BBSRC/SW-DTP CASE studentship to make step changes to the acrylamide-forming potential of wheat through the exploitation of lines carrying induced mutations in key genes of asparagine metabolism and by knocking out genes using genome editing techniques. It carried on through the Super Follow-on funded project: Field assessment of ultra-low asparagine, low acrylamide, gene edited wheat. |
Collaborator Contribution | Partners in CASE studentship and follow-on project. KWS hosted one of the student's rotations, while RAGT provided great support through the development of TILLING lines carrying mutations in the TaASN2 gene and crossing them into the Claire background. |
Impact | Multiple papers have arisen as a result of this collaboration, listed in the separate sections of the form. It led to Europe's first CRISPR wheat field trial, and our many contributions to the genome editing debate were made possible by the outcomes of the collaboration. It also led on to additional funding from another commercial partner. General Mills. |
Start Year | 2016 |
Description | Genome editing for low acrylamide wheat |
Organisation | Saaten-Union Biotec GmbH |
Department | Saaten-Union UK Ltd |
Country | United Kingdom |
Sector | Private |
PI Contribution | This collaboration began with a BBSRC/SW-DTP CASE studentship to make step changes to the acrylamide-forming potential of wheat through the exploitation of lines carrying induced mutations in key genes of asparagine metabolism and by knocking out genes using genome editing techniques. It carried on through the Super Follow-on funded project: Field assessment of ultra-low asparagine, low acrylamide, gene edited wheat. |
Collaborator Contribution | Partners in CASE studentship and follow-on project. KWS hosted one of the student's rotations, while RAGT provided great support through the development of TILLING lines carrying mutations in the TaASN2 gene and crossing them into the Claire background. |
Impact | Multiple papers have arisen as a result of this collaboration, listed in the separate sections of the form. It led to Europe's first CRISPR wheat field trial, and our many contributions to the genome editing debate were made possible by the outcomes of the collaboration. It also led on to additional funding from another commercial partner. General Mills. |
Start Year | 2016 |
Description | Genome editing for low acrylamide wheat |
Organisation | Syngenta International AG |
Country | Switzerland |
Sector | Private |
PI Contribution | This collaboration began with a BBSRC/SW-DTP CASE studentship to make step changes to the acrylamide-forming potential of wheat through the exploitation of lines carrying induced mutations in key genes of asparagine metabolism and by knocking out genes using genome editing techniques. It carried on through the Super Follow-on funded project: Field assessment of ultra-low asparagine, low acrylamide, gene edited wheat. |
Collaborator Contribution | Partners in CASE studentship and follow-on project. KWS hosted one of the student's rotations, while RAGT provided great support through the development of TILLING lines carrying mutations in the TaASN2 gene and crossing them into the Claire background. |
Impact | Multiple papers have arisen as a result of this collaboration, listed in the separate sections of the form. It led to Europe's first CRISPR wheat field trial, and our many contributions to the genome editing debate were made possible by the outcomes of the collaboration. It also led on to additional funding from another commercial partner. General Mills. |
Start Year | 2016 |
Description | Genome editing for low acrylamide wheat |
Organisation | University of Bristol |
Country | United Kingdom |
Sector | Academic/University |
PI Contribution | This collaboration began with a BBSRC/SW-DTP CASE studentship to make step changes to the acrylamide-forming potential of wheat through the exploitation of lines carrying induced mutations in key genes of asparagine metabolism and by knocking out genes using genome editing techniques. It carried on through the Super Follow-on funded project: Field assessment of ultra-low asparagine, low acrylamide, gene edited wheat. |
Collaborator Contribution | Partners in CASE studentship and follow-on project. KWS hosted one of the student's rotations, while RAGT provided great support through the development of TILLING lines carrying mutations in the TaASN2 gene and crossing them into the Claire background. |
Impact | Multiple papers have arisen as a result of this collaboration, listed in the separate sections of the form. It led to Europe's first CRISPR wheat field trial, and our many contributions to the genome editing debate were made possible by the outcomes of the collaboration. It also led on to additional funding from another commercial partner. General Mills. |
Start Year | 2016 |
Description | 3rd Annual Congress on Plant Biology & Biotechnology, Osaka, 7th - 9th October 2021. Invited speaker |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | International |
Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
Results and Impact | 3rd Annual Congress on Plant Biology & Biotechnology, Osaka, 7th - 9th October 2021. Invited speaker, Online presentation. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2021 |
Description | 3rd Annual Congress on Plant Biology & Biotechnology, Osaka, 7th - 9th October 2021. Invited speaker, Online presentation. |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | International |
Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
Results and Impact | On-line presentation to the 3rd Annual Congress on Plant Biology & Biotechnology, Osaka, 7th - 9th October 2021. Invited speaker.. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2021 |
Description | 5th EU Starch Value Chain, 27-28th September 2022, Rotterdam, invited speaker |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | International |
Primary Audience | Industry/Business |
Results and Impact | Invited speaker |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2022 |
Description | 9th Plant Genomics & Gene Editing Congress: Europe, 11th - 12th April 2022, The Hague, The Netherlands. Content Committee member, Keynote speaker. |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | International |
Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
Results and Impact | 9th Plant Genomics & Gene Editing Congress: Europe, 11th - 12th April 2022, The Hague, The Netherlands. Content Committee member, Keynote speaker. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2022 |
Description | Affidia virtual conference on acrylamide, 15th - 16th December 2022. |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | International |
Primary Audience | Industry/Business |
Results and Impact | Presentation on our acrylamide research |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2022 |
Description | Article in Farmers Weekly |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A press release, press conference or response to a media enquiry/interview |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | National |
Primary Audience | Industry/Business |
Results and Impact | Article in Farmers Weekly on GE field trial results |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2023 |
URL | https://www.fwi.co.uk/arable/wheat/first-gene-edited-wheat-field-trial-successful-say-scientists |
Description | Article in The Times |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A press release, press conference or response to a media enquiry/interview |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | National |
Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
Results and Impact | Interviewed by The Times on proposed changes to regulations on GE crops |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2021 |
URL | https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/the-times-view-on-plans-to-loosen-the-rules-on-research-into-gene... |
Description | CRISPR and Plant Genome Editing III, Vienna, Austria, July 8th - 9th 2022, invited speaker |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | International |
Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
Results and Impact | CRISPR and Plant Genome Editing III, Vienna, Austria, July 8th - 9th 2022, invited speaker |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2022 |
Description | Discussion panel moderator, Food Genomics Summit, on-line, 22nd February 2023 |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | International |
Primary Audience | Industry/Business |
Results and Impact | Professor Halford acted as moderator in a panel discussion on 'Is genomics where the food and beverage industry is heading?' |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2023 |
URL | https://newfood.events/the-food-genomics-summit/ |
Description | Euroseeds Conference, Berlin, 23rd - 25th October 2022, presentation and panel discussion on GE. |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | International |
Primary Audience | Industry/Business |
Results and Impact | Short presentation on GE field trial and UK regs changes, followed by panel discussion on GE. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2022 |
Description | Front page article in The Times |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A press release, press conference or response to a media enquiry/interview |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | National |
Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
Results and Impact | Interviewed for The Times, resulting in frontpage article: Britain to grow cancer-cutting wheat for healthier bread. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2021 |
URL | https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/britain-to-grow-cancer-cutting-wheat-for-making-healthier-bread-d... |
Description | Interview for BBC Countryfile, 22nd may 2022 |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A broadcast e.g. TV/radio/film/podcast (other than news/press) |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | National |
Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
Results and Impact | Sarah Raffan was interviewed on the GE trial |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2022 |
Description | Interview for The Telegraph |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A press release, press conference or response to a media enquiry/interview |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | National |
Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
Results and Impact | Interviewed for The Telegraph |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2023 |
URL | https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2023/02/13/scientists-genetically-edit-bread-cut-cancer-causing-che... |
Description | Interview for Times Radio |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A press release, press conference or response to a media enquiry/interview |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | National |
Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
Results and Impact | The Times Radio, interviewed by John Pienaar about CRISPR field trial |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2021 |
Description | Interviewed for Farmers Weekly, 16th October 2022 |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A press release, press conference or response to a media enquiry/interview |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | National |
Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
Results and Impact | Interviewed for Farmers weekly: Europes-first-gene-edited-wheat-trials-see-breakthrough |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2022 |
URL | https://www.fwi.co.uk/machinery/technology/europes-first-gene-edited-wheat-trials-see-breakthrough |
Description | Interviewed for Radio 4, Farming Today |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A press release, press conference or response to a media enquiry/interview |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | National |
Primary Audience | Industry/Business |
Results and Impact | Interviewed in preparation for PBO bill getting Royal Assent |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2023 |
Description | Interviewed for The Daily Telegraph, published 2nd March 2021 |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A press release, press conference or response to a media enquiry/interview |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | National |
Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
Results and Impact | Daily Telegraph, 2nd March 2021. Gene edited wheat could reduce 'cancer-risk' in well-done toast, study suggests The darker the toast, the more acrylamide it contains - a chemical substance considered 'probably carcinogenic' for humans www.telegraph.co.uk |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2021 |
URL | https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2021/03/01/gene-edited-wheat-could-reduce-cancer-risk-well-done-toa... |
Description | Interviewed for The Telegraph, 24th February 2022 |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A press release, press conference or response to a media enquiry/interview |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | National |
Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
Results and Impact | Interviewed on the changes proposed to GE crop regulation |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2022 |
URL | https://www.telegraph.co.uk/business/2022/02/24/genetically-altered-crops-big-brexit-ticket-winner-f... |
Description | Interviewed for The Times, 14th February 2023 |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A press release, press conference or response to a media enquiry/interview |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | National |
Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
Results and Impact | Interviewed for The times. Article appeared as: Cancer chemical in wheat is toast after gene editing |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2023 |
URL | https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/cancer-chemical-in-wheat-is-toast-after-gene-editing-nddf37zv8 |
Description | Sarah Raffan presentation at Monogram 2021 |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | National |
Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
Results and Impact | Sarah Raffan gave a presentation to the Monogram Conference, 2021 |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2021 |
Description | Scotland Plant Health workshop on genome editing. 14th September 2021. |
Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | Regional |
Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
Results and Impact | Participant, Scotland Plant Health workshop on genome editing. 14th September 2021. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2021 |
Description | Sky News Interview, 19th May 2022 |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A press release, press conference or response to a media enquiry/interview |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | National |
Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
Results and Impact | Interviewed on the field trial and proposed changes to regulations |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2022 |
Description | The Food Safety Conference 2022, Twickenham Stadium, 5th - 6th October 2022. Panel discussion on revisiting GM. |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | National |
Primary Audience | Industry/Business |
Results and Impact | Panel member |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2022 |
Description | The practical application of gene editing technology in crop improvement. University of Tsukuba, Sanatech Seed Co., and Japanese Society of Plant Biotechnology. Osaka, Japan, 8th - 12th September 2022, invited speaker. |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | International |
Primary Audience | Industry/Business |
Results and Impact | Invited speaker |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2022 |
Description | UK Flour Millers Research and Development seminar, London, 1st December 2022 |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | National |
Primary Audience | Industry/Business |
Results and Impact | Presentation on acrylamide research and GE |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2022 |
Description | Webinar to Marks and Spencers agronomist/horticulturalists, 18th June 2021. |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | National |
Primary Audience | Industry/Business |
Results and Impact | I gave a webinar plus Q&A to Marks and Spencers agronomist/horticulturalists, 18th June 2021. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2021 |
Description | Webinar to NFU on genome editing, March 2021. |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | National |
Primary Audience | Industry/Business |
Results and Impact | I gave a webinar to the NFU on genome editing, including a long Q&A, March 2021. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2021 |