Dr Glenn Bryan leads the Potato Genetics and Breeding group at the James Hutton Institute in Dundee. He studied at London and Birmingham Universities, and obtained his PhD at Washington University in St Louis, USA. He has worked in both animal (dairy cattle, Drosophila) and plant (wheat, rice, potato, tomato) genetic research.
In his current role he has been responsible for developing a modern potato genetics and genomics programme. He has made significant advances in the genetic mapping of some of the most effective sources of pest and disease resistance in potato as well as tuber quality and developmental traits.
He was a participant in both the potato and tomato genome sequencing projects and led the UK participation in the Potato Genome Sequencing Consortium, for which he also served on the steering committee. The potato and tomato genomes were published in Nature in 2011 and 2012. His group has also led the effort to make further improvements to the potato genome assembly, and this work will be published in late 2013.
He serves as one of the co-chairs of the global SOL project, whose role is to facilitate research into Solanaceous plant species. He serves on various committees, such as the BBSRC HAPI steering panel and the Biosciences KTN Plant sector group advisory panel.
Current research interests
Current research
My current research is based on the following:
Development and use of germplasm resources for potato trait analysis. These comprise bi-parental populations and association panels, as well as diverse germplasm collections.
Genetic analysis of commercially relevant potato traits in potato, especially those impacting on marketable yield, such as tuber dormancy and resistances to important pests and pathogens.
Constructing mutant populations of potato using the inbreeding potato species Solanum verrucosum.
Investigation of the role of miRNAs in tuberisation and other potato traits.
Achievements
Development of biological and technical resources for performing genetics of important potato traits.
Led the UK’s participation in the successful potato genome sequencing consortium as well as being a PI in the global tomato genome sequencing effort.
Established a strong presence in the potato research and breeding community, as shown by membership of key panels and consortia.
Future work
I hope to focus my future research on gaining a better understanding of tuber processes (e.g. dormancy) and to study adaptational and domestication events in potato, using some of the germplasm I have developed.
Past research
Group leader (Band 3/Grade G), Cell and Molecular Sciences, The James Hutton Institute. April 2011-present.