Professor Daniel Zilberman has received a Consolidator Grant from the European Research Council to study epigenetic information transmission in plant generations. This research is crucial for improving human health and nutrition, as well as developing sustainable agriculture practices.
Dr. Christine Faulkner has been awarded a European Research Council Consolidator Grant to investigate how plant cells communicate and coordinate responses to pathogen threats. The grant will support large-scale research on defence signals triggered by single cells and their transmission through whole plants.
Scientists at the John Innes Centre have developed a new MutChromSeq technique that reduces the complexity of searching for specific genes in wheat and barley genomes. This method uses chromosome flow sorting to narrow down the search area, making it faster and cheaper to sequence just one chromosome.
Plant breeders have struggled to combine high yield and resistance to Septoria in wheat varieties, but John Innes Centre researchers have found a genetic connection between the two traits. The study reveals that nearly 60 years ago, breeding decisions inadvertently linked increased susceptibility to Septoria with higher yields.
Dr Diane Saunders has been awarded a prestigious European Research Council starting grant to investigate the molecular mechanisms driving host adaptation of yellow rust on cereal crops and grasses. The goal is to develop new varieties of wheat with enhanced resistance to yellow rust.
The John Innes Centre has developed a comprehensive online training hub for wheat researchers, providing essential information on experimental protocols, genomics tools, and cultivation techniques. The platform aims to break down barriers to wheat research, enabling new scientists to transition into the field.
Researchers at the John Innes Centre have identified a previously unidentified step in plant flowering initiation, linking an important gene to protein regulators. This breakthrough uncovers how plants 'remember' low-temperature conditions to control flowering timing.
Researchers at John Innes Centre discover a key 'twist' in producing heteroyohimbine compounds, which could lead to new and effective pharmaceuticals. The study reveals the importance of specific amino acid sequences in controlling stereoselectivity during compound synthesis.
Researchers have discovered a way to custom-build valuable triterpenes using 'chemical origami', a process inspired by the ancient Japanese art of origami. By modifying an enzyme called SAD1, they can produce different triterpene scaffolds and building blocks, leading to new medicines and industrial chemicals.
Researchers discovered that serpentine-tolerant Arabidopsis arenosa plants have adapted to extreme conditions through natural selection and gene borrowing. This study provides valuable insights into the genetic basis of plant adaptation, which can be used to develop stress-resistant crop varieties.
Researchers at the John Innes Centre have identified a protein in rice plants that can increase yields by up to 54% and improve nitrogen efficiency. The 'b' protein, OsNRT2.3b, allows rice plants to buffer themselves against pH changes, enabling them to take up more nutrients.
Scientists at the John Innes Centre have identified a critical protein, CNGC15s, that facilitates calcium movement into plant cell nuclei. This allows plants to initiate cellular processes necessary for bacterial accommodation and nitrogen fixation.
Scientists have developed a new gene-detecting technology that accurately pinpoints the location of disease resistance genes in large plant genomes. This has reduced the time it takes to clone these genes in wheat from five years to just two, enabling the creation of elite varieties with durable resistance to disease.
Scientists have developed a new method to accelerate the isolation of plant disease resistance genes, using 'SMRT RenSeq' technology. This technique has been successfully used to identify a brand new source of blight resistance genes in Solanum americanum, a wild relative of the potato.
A team of scientists from the UK and Bangladesh is making genetic data for the wheat blast pathogen publicly available in an effort to address the growing threat. The researchers hope that by sharing their findings, they can develop effective measures to manage the disease and ensure food security.
Researchers have discovered a new biochemical pathway that produces flavones in the roots of the Chinese skullcap plant, which may lead to effective cancer treatments. The discovery was made by a team led by Professor Cathie Martin and could help produce these special flavones in large quantities.
Researchers at the John Innes Centre have identified DNA gyrase as a key enzyme in plants that can be targeted for the development of new, more effective herbicides. This discovery holds promise for reducing the risk of antibiotic resistance and ensuring the safety of farmers and gardeners.
Researchers identify RimK as a crucial regulator of bacterial movement, which is essential for initiating infections. Disabling this protein significantly reduces the ability of bacteria to infect plants and humans, offering a new target for anti-infective drugs.
Researchers at the John Innes Centre successfully edited genes in two UK crops using CRISPR technology. The edits were preserved in subsequent generations, allowing for the development of disease-resistant crops. Additionally, the study found that off-target edits occurred occasionally but could be minimized by using specific guide RNAs.
Scientists have identified the 3D structure of iridoid synthase, an enzyme crucial for producing anticancer and antimalarial compounds from plant natural products. The discovery provides insights into the biosynthesis process, shedding light on the unique mechanism used by this enzyme to generate core iridoid structures.
Research at the John Innes Centre reveals that plant stem cells actively regulate their size to develop organs properly. The study shows that maintaining uniform cell sizes is crucial for organ formation, similar to pixel sizes in digital images.
Researchers at the John Innes Centre have developed a method to produce large quantities of useful natural compounds efficiently by growing them in tomatoes. The study found that one tomato can produce the same amount of Resveratrol as exists in 50 bottles of red wine, and Genistein equivalent to 2.5kg of tofu.
Scientists have discovered how an ancient alga could inhabit land and survive without a symbiotic relationship with fungi. The discovery sheds light on the origins of life on Earth and reveals that the alga had the necessary genes to interact with beneficial fungi while still in the water.
A team of scientists has discovered how a plant sensor detects pathogens, bringing unprecedented detail to the 'gene-for-gene' hypothesis. The study reveals that the strength of binding between the sensor and pathogen proteins correlates with the plant's response, opening up new strategies for engineering enhanced resistance.
Researchers at the John Innes Centre found that Euglena gracilis has over 32,000 active protein-encoding genes, significantly more than humans. The single cell algae can produce various natural compounds, including vitamins, essential amino acids, and a sugar polymer with anti-HIV effects.
A research team at the John Innes Centre has identified and studied peas with mutations in genes coding for seed protease inhibitors, which can reduce protein availability by up to 10%. The study provides proof of principle for genetic approaches to improve crop traits, including the removal of allergenic proteins.