CNAP researchers to study temperature impact on plants
Posted on 27 November 2007
Dr Steve Penfield and Professor Ian Graham from CNAP (Centre for Novel Agricultural Products) in the University’s Department of Biology, are part of a multi-disciplinary team that will combine theory, computer modelling and laboratory experiments to give a better understanding of the impact of temperature on plant growth.
We will use a new holistic approach to biology to understand how temperature change affects plant growth
Dr Steve Penfield
Working with fellow scientists at the Universities of Edinburgh, Liverpool and Warwick, they will model how plants’ signalling pathways respond to temperature and then how changes to part of the system affects the whole plant. The Regulation of Biological Signalling by Temperature (ROBuST) project could lead to the development of higher yield crops, better able to cope with the harsh conditions and increased temperatures expected to be associated with climate change.
The £5 million, five-year project is part of a £26 million UK-wide investment in biology research, funded by the Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC) and the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC).
Dr Penfield, who is a Royal Society University Research Fellow, said: "We will use a new holistic approach to biology to understand how temperature change affects plant growth. We hope to be able to predict and influence the productivity of crops, as well as better understand the role of plants in ecosystem responses to environmental change."
ENDS
Notes to editors:
- The Centre for Novel Agricultural Products (CNAP) is a highly acclaimed research centre based in the Department of Biology at the University of York. CNAP is dedicated to realising the potential of plant- and microbial-based renewable resources, using biology to benefit society and to provide a sustainable future. Target-led programmes undertaken by CNAP are underpinned by fundamental and strategic research, funded by the UK Research Councils, charitable organisations, the EU Framework programmes and US funding agencies.
- Research expertise encompasses plant and microbial genetics, biochemistry and genomics, with specialist interest in the biosynthesis and metabolic engineering of oils, glycans and secondary metabolites. Current strategic work is focused on oils, medicinals, flavours and fragrances, nutraceuticals and bioremediation, with an increasing emphasis on biocatalysis for the production of plant- and microbial-based bioproducts as renewable resources.
- CNAP also undertakes science support projects such as hosting the DTI-funded Bioscience for Business Knowledge Transfer Network and co-ordinating EPOBIO, an EC-funded consortium established to realise the economic potential of sustainable resources. CNAP also has an active Science and Society programme, aiming to make bioscience interesting and accessible to all sectors of society. For further information see www.cnap.org.uk
- The University of York’s Department of Biology is one of the leading centres for biological teaching and research in the UK. The Department both teaches degree courses and undertakes research across the whole spectrum of modern Biology, from molecular genetics and biochemistry to ecology. Its biomedical research includes an Immunology and Infection Unit (jointly with the Hull-York Medical School), work on infertility and three research professors funded by Yorkshire Cancer Research and York Against Cancer.
- The Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC) is the UK funding agency for research in the life sciences. Sponsored by Government, BBSRC annually invests around £380 million in a wide range of research that makes a significant contribution to the quality of life for UK citizens and supports a number of important industrial stakeholders including the agriculture, food, chemical, healthcare and pharmaceutical sectors.
- The Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC) is the UK’s main agency for funding research in engineering and the physical sciences. The EPSRC invests around £740 million a year in research and postgraduate training, to help the nation handle the next generation of technological change. The areas covered range from information technology to structural engineering, and mathematics to materials science. This research forms the basis for future economic development in the UK and improvements for everyone’s health, lifestyle and culture. EPSRC also actively promotes public awareness of science and engineering. EPSRC works alongside other Research Councils with responsibility for other areas of research. The Research Councils work collectively on issues of common concern via Research Councils UK.
- The Royal Society University Research Fellowships scheme aims to provide outstanding scientists with the opportunity to build an independent research career.