12
Events of the Year
August
2013
Scientists at the University of Dundee, Division of Plant
Sciences, and the James Hutton Institute discovered a
gene in the biosynthetic pathway of lignin which could
transform the development of biofuels. Lignin is a major
component of plant secondary cell walls that limits the
conversion of biomass to energy. The breakthrough
paves the way for new initiatives supporting a biofuel-
based economy.
The discovery will enable genetic screening and/or
genetic manipulation of biofuel crops with a reduced
amount of lignin or an adapted lignin structure. This in
turn will help contribute to a more efficient conversion
of biomass to energy.
A new study by scientists at the James Hutton Institute,
which aims to identify genetic markers for tolerance
to heat stress, could be of great importance in future
potato breeding programmes to develop new potato
cultivars less susceptible to high temperatures.
Potato is the world’s third most important food crop and
it is anticipated that production will need to increase by
50% to meet demand over the next 20 years. However,
the effects of global warming on potato production
have been predicted to decrease global yields by 10%-
19% in 2010-39, and by 18%-32% in the 2050s. The
development of cultivars that can thrive in a changing
climate is vital to future food security. Furthermore,
the UK seed potato market exports large quantities to
countries including Egypt, Israel and Southern Europe
so these new cultivars are important for the domestic
industry.
September
2013
A disused hut that was due to be demolished was
given a new lease of life at an allotment in Aberdeen.
The ‘Hutton Hut’, from the Craigiebuckler site of the
James Hutton Institute, moved to a public plot on the
nearby Slopefield Allotments to provide a resource for
the local community and primary school.
The hut will help more people, especially the young, to
learn about the food they eat and how to encourage
biodiversity and sustainability.
“Our research is paving the way for
more efficient biofuel production”
13
September
2013
The European Network on Soil Awareness meeting
at the James Hutton Institute in Aberdeen, with high
profile speakers from the European Union and the
Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United
Nations (FAO), was told that soil is our most precious
resource. Professor Anne Glover, Chief Scientific
Adviser to the President of the European Commission,
was a keynote speaker and integral to the exchange
and debate of ideas.
Soil is a finite natural resource which plays a vital
role in the support of life on our planet, the global
climate system and in the provision of ecosystem
services. Soil degradation is a major threat to food
security and sustainability. The European Network on
Soil Awareness continues to work with major global
organisations to monitor this threat.
Nanomaterial production patent
Scientists at the James Hutton Institute lodged a
patent which describes a new metal nanomaterial
production method using plant extracts, metal
salts and de-activated, safe virus components.
This synthesis approach is cheaper, safer and more
environmentally-friendly than traditional systems of
production.
Metal nanomaterials have many remarkable
and unusual properties which are now actively
exploited in a huge number of diverse industrial
and economic sectors. However, a major caveat of
metal nanomaterials is their traditional physical and
chemical production methods which are expensive,
time consuming and hazardous from a safety and
environmental perspective. The new patent provides a
cost-effective and viable alternative.
Our work is of particular importance to various broad
nanomaterial markets such as chemical catalysis,
surface coatings and functional nanocomposites. The
patent allows us freedom to engage these multi-billion
pound markets.
October
2013
A study from the James Hutton Institute and the
University of Dundee, Division of Plant Sciences,
revealed that the productivity of major crops such
as barley could get a boost in the future thanks to
discoveries in the inner workings of genes and how
they influence crop development. The study is the first
to demonstrate that a gene, encoding a protein called
HvAPETLA2 (HvAP2), controls how closely grains are
packed on the top of the barley stem or spike. This is
an important agronomic trait called ‘spike density’.
The study demonstrates how barley research is moving
beyond gene discovery into the mechanisms of gene
action. This will allow breeders to be more predictive
and sophisticated in their breeding strategies which
could reduce the time taken to develop new crop
varieties.
A three minute animated short film explaining the
concept of Payments for Ecosystem Services (PES)
was created in collaboration with Grid-Arendal, the
UN Development Programme collaborating centre
for the communication of environmental information
to decision makers. Aimed at the general public and
available in English and Spanish on YouTube, the film
has had nearly 3,000 views. It forms part of teaching
material being used by a number of universities in
the UK,
, Central and North America, as well
as a
.
The video is a straightforward and novel way of
explaining a complex scheme to a general audience.
Enquires about the clip have already led to potential
collaborations and future funding opportunities.
