News from the John Innes Centre

The genetic modification of plants is an invaluable tool used by scientists globally to gain a better understanding of the functions of certain genes in plants. Even if it is not used directly to create improved crop varieties, genetic modification is invaluable for probing gene function and identifying genomic markers that give breeders tools and [...]

The John Innes Centre will receive approximately £1million of funding for two new research projects that will help reduce yield losses in oilseed rape, and improve the efficiency of the conversion of barley grain to beer and whisky. On the morning of the first day of Cereals 2011, the Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council [...]

This public event was held in March 2011 at the Forum in Norwich to showcase some of the varied research being undertaken by young scientists at both the John Innes Centre and the Institute of Food Research. After the audience had listened to the four presentations they were asked to vote for which project they [...]

An international team of scientists has cracked the problem of pod shatter in brassica crops such as oilseed rape. Just before harvest, oilseed rape pods are prone to shatter, causing a 10-25% loss of seeds and up to 70% in some cases. “By artificially producing a hormone in a specific region of the fruit, we [...]