High Iron Wheat - HarvestPlus Challenge Program
Lead Research Organisation:
John Innes Centre
Department Name: Contracts Office
Abstract
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.
Organisations
- John Innes Centre, United Kingdom (Lead Research Organisation)
- Limagrain (Collaboration)
- International Centre for Maize and Wheat Improvement (CIMMYT) (Collaboration)
- RAGT Seeds (Collaboration)
- Punjab Aricultural University (Collaboration)
- HarvestPlus (Collaboration)
- KWS UK (Collaboration)
- The University of Passo Fundo (Collaboration)
- Bayer (Collaboration)
Publications
Arora S
(2019)
Genome-Wide Association Mapping of Grain Micronutrients Concentration in Aegilops tauschii.
in Frontiers in plant science
Balk J
(2019)
Improving wheat as a source of iron and zinc for global nutrition.
in Nutrition bulletin
Borrill P
(2017)
Genome-Wide Sequence and Expression Analysis of the NAC Transcription Factor Family in Polyploid Wheat.
in G3 (Bethesda, Md.)
Borrill P
(2016)
expVIP: a Customizable RNA-seq Data Analysis and Visualization Platform.
in Plant physiology
Borrill P
(2015)
Genomics as the key to unlocking the polyploid potential of wheat.
in The New phytologist
Connorton JM
(2017)
Wheat Vacuolar Iron Transporter TaVIT2 Transports Fe and Mn and Is Effective for Biofortification.
in Plant physiology
| 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 | UK Global Food Security Science Advisory Board |
| Geographic Reach | Multiple continents/international |
| Policy Influence Type | Participation in a advisory committee |
| URL | https://www.foodsecurity.ac.uk/ |
| 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 | 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 | 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 | Limagrain |
| Organisation | Limagrain |
| Country | France |
| Sector | Private |
| PI Contribution | Genetics and genomics |
| Collaborator Contribution | Germplasm and breeder know-how |
| Impact | Phd Studentship, field trails, among others |
| 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 |