High Iron Wheat - HarvestPlus Challenge Program

Lead Research Organisation: John Innes Centre
Department Name: UNLISTED

Abstract

Abstracts are not currently available in GtR for all funded research. This is normally because the abstract was not required at the time of proposal submission, but may be because it included sensitive information such as personal details.

Technical Summary

We will investigate two independent strategies to increase iron concentration in wheat grains. The first relates to the identification of functional vacuolar transporters in wheat. We will identify putative vacuolar iron transporters in wheat through in silico methods and determine their transport activity in yeast mutants sensitive to extracellular Fe or Zn. Validated transporters will be characterized by over-expressing them in wheat seeds using endosperm-specific promoters. In addition, we will identify EMS mutants for those transporters found to be expressed in leaves. We will also examine the regulatory network modulated by GPC1 (Grain Protein Content 1). This gene has been shown to increase N, Zn and Fe remobilization from wheat flag leaves to grain, yet the downstream targets remain unknown. We will use ChIP-Seq to identify these target genes and perform an initial validation using qPCR.

Planned Impact

unavailable
 
Description We have identified new genes which control Fe accumulation in the wheat grain. We have developed mutants and transgenic lines to validate these results. We have also identified mutants with increased Fe content. We have conducted one year of field trials for the transgenic lines to better understand the effects of the gene under field conditions and will now initiate a second year. We obtained consistent results in the field, with a slight reduction in grain size, but no overall effect on yield.
Exploitation Route We will work with breeders to ensure that this information is taken up into breeding practices in the short term. We will most likely liaise with breeders in countries where cis-genics are able to be grown.
Sectors Agriculture

Food and Drink

 
Description We have gain information on new ways to generate high Fe wheat and have communicated these in general audience meetings. We are currently in year 2 of a GM field trial to test the effects of the VIT2 gene in a field setting.
First Year Of Impact 2015
Sector Agriculture, Food and Drink
Impact Types Cultural

Societal

Economic

Policy & public services

 
Description Visit by Adam Stains, Matt Freeman and Harriet Trewin, BBSRC: Discussion on latest developments in crop breeding techniques
Geographic Reach National 
Policy Influence Type Influenced training of practitioners or researchers
 
Description Visit by Green Party Norfolk County Councillors
Geographic Reach Local/Municipal/Regional 
Policy Influence Type Influenced training of practitioners or researchers
 
Description Visit from Government Office of Science (Nancy Bailey, Neil Waby, Rebecca Nohl)- Discussion on CRISPR gene editing
Geographic Reach National 
Policy Influence Type Influenced training of practitioners or researchers
 
Description Visit of Norman Lamb MP
Geographic Reach National 
Policy Influence Type Influenced training of practitioners or researchers
 
Description Leveraging genetic innovations for accelerated breeding of climate resilient and nutritious crops
Amount £1,300,000 (GBP)
Organisation Foreign Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) 
Sector Public
Country United Kingdom
Start 01/2024 
End 12/2026
 
Description Responsive Mode
Amount £500,000 (GBP)
Funding ID BB/P019072/1 
Organisation Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC) 
Sector Public
Country United Kingdom
Start 11/2017 
End 10/2020
 
Title Wheat Training 
Description This website provides background information and practical resources to help both budding wheat scientists as well as researchers looking to expand their work into wheat. There is a need to improve crops to feed the world's growing population with the backdrop of climate change. Translation of fundamental plant biology research (e.g. from Arabidopsis thaliana) into crops such as wheat provides a potential route to deal with this challenge. However learning even simple tasks such as growing and crossing wheat plants requires time and effort, while material and methods sections in published articles are often short and cannot substitute teaching aids. This is also true for more complex topics such as the genomics aspect of wheat. 
Type Of Material Database/Collection of data 
Year Produced 2016 
Provided To Others? Yes  
Impact >4,500 sessions from >2,700 users 
URL http://www.wheat-training.com/
 
Description A meeting between CIMMYT and DFW funded by BMGF to discuss collaboration projects 
Organisation International Centre for Maize and Wheat Improvement (CIMMYT)
Country Mexico 
Sector Charity/Non Profit 
PI Contribution I organised a meeting funded by Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation brought together members of the BBSRC's coordinated wheat programme (Designing Future Wheat) with members of CIMMYT (who breed wheat for the resource poor in the developing world), discuss potential opportunities for interaction. These opportunities are taken forward by writing proposals for Newton , GCRF or IWYP funding calls
Collaborator Contribution See above
Impact This interaction is still ongoing between members of BBSRC's coordinated wheat programme (Designing Future Wheat) and researchers within CIMMYT with proposals being written for IWYP and Newton calls
Start Year 2018
 
Description Bayer 
Organisation Bayer
Department Bayer CropScience Ltd
Country United Kingdom 
Sector Private 
PI Contribution Wheat genetics and genomics
Collaborator Contribution Wheat breeding and molecular knowledge
Impact joint projects
Start Year 2012
 
Description Bayer 
Organisation Bayer
Department Bayer CropScience Ltd
Country United Kingdom 
Sector Private 
PI Contribution Wheat genetics and genomics
Collaborator Contribution Wheat breeding and molecular knowledge
Impact joint projects
Start Year 2012
 
Description CGIAR 
Organisation International Center for Agricultural Research in the Dry Areas
Country Syrian Arab Republic 
Sector Charity/Non Profit 
PI Contribution Provide molecular markers for yellow rust and blast resistance genes; provide germplasm with improved traits.
Collaborator Contribution provide field phenotyping and delivery into wheat cultivars
Impact n/a
Start Year 2013
 
Description CGIAR 
Organisation International Centre for Maize and Wheat Improvement (CIMMYT)
Country Mexico 
Sector Charity/Non Profit 
PI Contribution Provide molecular markers for yellow rust and blast resistance genes; provide germplasm with improved traits.
Collaborator Contribution provide field phenotyping and delivery into wheat cultivars
Impact n/a
Start Year 2013
 
Description HarvestPlus 
Organisation HarvestPlus
Country United States 
Sector Private 
PI Contribution Enhancing wheat micronutrient content
Collaborator Contribution Knowhow and funding
Impact Enhanced Fe wheat being developed
Start Year 2014
 
Description KWS 
Organisation KWS UK
Country United Kingdom 
Sector Private 
PI Contribution Genetics and genomics
Collaborator Contribution Breeder know how and germplasm
Impact joint projects
Start Year 2009
 
Description Punjab Agricultural University 
Organisation Punjab Aricultural University
Country India 
Sector Academic/University 
PI Contribution Know how on wheat genomics and genetics, training.
Collaborator Contribution Gernplasm, local knowledge
Impact Have helped partners implement marker technology.
Start Year 2011
 
Description RAGT 
Organisation RAGT Seeds
Country United Kingdom 
Sector Private 
PI Contribution Genetics and genomics
Collaborator Contribution Wheat germplasm and know how
Impact Shared projects
Start Year 2009
 
Description University of Passo Fundo 
Organisation The University of Passo Fundo
Country Brazil 
Sector Academic/University 
PI Contribution information on genetic basis of resistance to wheat blast
Collaborator Contribution information on research tools and data relating to specific resistances
Impact student secondment to my laboratory for nine months
Start Year 2017
 
Description Agricultural Industries Confederation 
Form Of Engagement Activity A talk or presentation
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach National
Primary Audience Industry/Business
Results and Impact Agribusiness Meeting: A step change in plant breeding to achieve a UK competitive advantage
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2016
 
Description BBSRC Food Priming Partnership Workshop 
Form Of Engagement Activity A formal working group, expert panel or dialogue
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach National
Primary Audience Professional Practitioners
Results and Impact BBSRC Food Priming Partnership Workshop
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2018
 
Description Borlaug Dialogue 
Form Of Engagement Activity A talk or presentation
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach International
Primary Audience Supporters
Results and Impact Bolaug Dialogue
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2017
 
Description CPM Magazine 
Form Of Engagement Activity A magazine, newsletter or online publication
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach International
Primary Audience Media (as a channel to the public)
Results and Impact CPM Magazine interview on wheat genome and genetics
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2018
URL http://www.cpm-magazine.co.uk/2018/08/21/genetics-hope-future-wheat/#
 
Description Discussion Norman Lamb, MP 
Form Of Engagement Activity A talk or presentation
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach National
Primary Audience Policymakers/politicians
Results and Impact Discussion Norman Lamb, MP
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2017
 
Description Discussion with Gov Office Science 
Form Of Engagement Activity A talk or presentation
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach International
Primary Audience Policymakers/politicians
Results and Impact Discussion with Gov Office Science
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2017
 
Description Discussions with Syngenta 
Form Of Engagement Activity A talk or presentation
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach International
Primary Audience Industry/Business
Results and Impact Discussions on collaborations
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2018
 
Description Garnet York 2018 
Form Of Engagement Activity A talk or presentation
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach International
Primary Audience Professional Practitioners
Results and Impact Garnet York 2018
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2018
 
Description Gatbsy Plant Science Students 
Form Of Engagement Activity A talk or presentation
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach Regional
Primary Audience Schools
Results and Impact Can wheat genomics help alleviate food insecurity?
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2017
 
Description Italian Society of Genetics (SIGA) and Plant Biology (SIBV) Joint meeting 
Form Of Engagement Activity A talk or presentation
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach International
Primary Audience Postgraduate students
Results and Impact Keynote at PISA
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2017
 
Description JIC Annual Science Meeting 
Form Of Engagement Activity A talk or presentation
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach International
Primary Audience Professional Practitioners
Results and Impact JIC Annual Science Meeting
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2018
 
Description JIC Open day 
Form Of Engagement Activity Participation in an open day or visit at my research institution
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach International
Primary Audience Professional Practitioners
Results and Impact JIC Open Day
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2018
 
Description JIC Science Innovation Showcase 
Form Of Engagement Activity Participation in an open day or visit at my research institution
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach International
Primary Audience Industry/Business
Results and Impact Talk at JIC Science Innovation Showcase with over 100 industry representatives
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2018
 
Description Keynote: From Seed to Pasta III 
Form Of Engagement Activity A talk or presentation
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach International
Primary Audience Professional Practitioners
Results and Impact From Seed to Pasta III
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2018
 
Description MSc course on Model to Crop 
Form Of Engagement Activity Participation in an activity, workshop or similar
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach International
Primary Audience Postgraduate students
Results and Impact MSc course on Model to Crop
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2015,2016,2017,2018,2019,2020
 
Description MSc on Wheat Yield 
Form Of Engagement Activity Participation in an activity, workshop or similar
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach International
Primary Audience Postgraduate students
Results and Impact MSc course on Wheat Yield
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2017,2018,2019,2020
 
Description Oxford Farming Conference talk 
Form Of Engagement Activity Participation in an activity, workshop or similar
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach International
Primary Audience Industry/Business
Results and Impact Oxford Farming Conference talk
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2019
URL https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mp0QJDivWgA
 
Description Penny Mordaunt, Secretary of State for International Development. 
Form Of Engagement Activity A formal working group, expert panel or dialogue
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach Local
Primary Audience Policymakers/politicians
Results and Impact Penny Mordaunt, Secretary of State for International Development.
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2018
 
Description Rachel Lambert, Senior Livelihoods Adviser, Agriculture Research DFID 
Form Of Engagement Activity A formal working group, expert panel or dialogue
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach Local
Primary Audience Policymakers/politicians
Results and Impact Rachel Lambert, Senior Livelihoods Adviser, Agriculture Research DFID
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2018
 
Description Redburn 
Form Of Engagement Activity A talk or presentation
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach National
Primary Audience Industry/Business
Results and Impact Talk at Redburn investment bank
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2017
 
Description School visit (NDPS) 
Form Of Engagement Activity A talk or presentation
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach Local
Primary Audience Schools
Results and Impact discussion with year 6 students on gene editing and genetics
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2020
 
Description Science and Faith 
Form Of Engagement Activity A talk or presentation
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach International
Primary Audience Public/other audiences
Results and Impact Is it ethical to oppose modern plant breeding technologies
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2017
 
Description Talk Aarhus 
Form Of Engagement Activity A talk or presentation
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach International
Primary Audience Postgraduate students
Results and Impact Talk at Aarhus University
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2017
 
Description Three modules in Cambridge Plant Science undergraduate course 
Form Of Engagement Activity Participation in an activity, workshop or similar
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach International
Primary Audience Undergraduate students
Results and Impact Three modules in Cambridge Plant Science undergraduate course (last year course PLL1)
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2019,2020
 
Description podcast Wheat Genome 
Form Of Engagement Activity A press release, press conference or response to a media enquiry/interview
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach International
Primary Audience Media (as a channel to the public)
Results and Impact Dewing Grain podcast Wheat Genome
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2018
URL http://www.dewinggrain.co.uk/podcast-item/?id=34
 
Description • EPSO-EC Conference at EXPO Milano 
Form Of Engagement Activity A formal working group, expert panel or dialogue
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach International
Primary Audience Policymakers/politicians
Results and Impact EU meeting on new breeding technologies
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2015