133 research outputs found
Obituary: Alan Raybould
No full textProfessor Alan Raybould was born and raised in Wolverhampton, in the West Midlands, United Kingdom. He attained a First Class Degree in Botany from the University of Manchester, followed by his PhD in Population Genetics at the University of Birmingham in 1989, researching population genetics of Spartina anglica. Alan began his scientific career at the Institute of Terrestrial Ecology at Furzebrook, Dorset, which later became part of the United Kingdom Centre for Ecology and Hydrology. During this period (1990–2001), he progressed from a post-doctoral research position to becoming the lead scientist in molecular ecology, studying gene-flows from genetically-modified crops to related wild plant populations
Advancing science in support of sustainable bio-innovation: 16th ISBR Symposium – in memory of Professor Alan Raybould
No full textJust months before the 16th Symposium of the International Society for Biosafety Research (ISBR) took place in St. Louis, MO (May 2023), the ISBR community suffered a shattering loss with the death of our dear friend and colleague Alan Raybould. Among Alan’s innumerable contributions to the field of risk assessment and biosafety, he was an active contributor to ISBR over the course of his career, serving on the Board of Directors and as a member of the program committee, member and chair of the publication committee, contributing to symposium planning, chairing sessions and, as he was always known to do, delivering many notable and thought-provoking presentations at the symposia. The loss of Alan has left a hole in our community that simply cannot be filled. During the 16th ISBR Symposium, Professor Alan Gray, former President of ISBR, who was an advisor, colleague, and longtime close friend of Alan, shared a tribute. We honour the memory of Alan Raybould by sharing that tribute as part of this Research Topic produced after the Symposium
How does scientific risk assessment of GM crops fit within the wider risk analysis?
No full textThe debate concerning genetically modified crops illustrates confusion between the role of scientists and that of wider society in regulatory decision making. We identify two fundamental misunderstandings, which, if rectified, would allow progress with confidence. First, scientific risk assessment needs to test well-defined hypotheses, not simply collect data. Second, risk assessments need to be placed in the wider context of risk analysis to enable the wider ‘non-scientific’ questions to be considered in regulatory decision making. Such integration and understanding is urgently required because the challenges to regulation will escalate as scientific progress advance
Transferability and genome specificity of a new set of microsatellite primers among Brassica species of the U triangle
No full textThe definitive version is available at www.blackwell-synergy.comWe present a new set of 12 highly polymorphic simple sequence repeat primer sequences for use with Brassica species. These new primers, and four from A.K.S. SzewcMcFadden and colleagues, were tested in four Brassica species (B. rapa, B. napus, B. oleracea and B. nigra). Most primers successfully amplified products within all species and were polymorphic. Due to the risk of gene flow from GM oilseed rape to its wild relatives, hybrid formation in the Brassicaceae is of great interest. We identify six primer pairs as specific to the A, B or C genomes that could be used to identify such hybrids.Andrew J Lowe, Alexandra E Jones, Alan F Raybould, Martin Trick, Carolyn L Moule, Keith J Edward
Host-plant mediated effects of transgenic maize on the insect parasitoid campoletis sonorensis (hymenoptera : ichneumonidae)
No full textDetermining the impact of genetically modified (GM) crops on beneficial organisms is an important aspect of the environmental risk assessment of GM crops. In the present study, the impact of Bt maize expressing Cry1Ab on the development and behaviour of the parasitoid Campoletis sonorensis was compared to individuals reared on hosts fed conventionally bred plants partially resistant to the European corn borer (Ostrinia nubilalis Hübner) and on susceptible maize hybrids. Adult parasitoids reared on Bt maize-fed Spodoptera frugiperda larvae were significantly smaller (15–30%) than those reared in hosts fed either of the conventional maize hybrids. The magnitude of this effect was dependent on the size of the host at oviposition and its subsequent growth rate. The development time of C. sonorensis was not affected by the maize treatment. In choice tests, female parasitoids displayed no preference for hosts fed a specific maize hybrid. No Cry1Ab was detected within adult parasitoids
Spatial and temporal genetic variation in small and declining populations of Atlantic salmon
No full textAtlantic salmon is protected under national and European legislation but most populations are declining. The research investigated population size, habitat quality, population structure and stability over time using Atlantic salmon parr in the River Frome (a chalk stream in Dorset, England) surveyed at 15 sites, in summer and autumn over three consecutive years. The hypotheses were:* Abundance of juvenile Atlantic salmon in a chalk stream is related to habitat quality.* There is significant genetic differentiation between Atlantic salmon within one river, despite small geographic distance between sites and no barriers to migration.* Temporal stability of spatial population structure of Atlantic salmon occurs within a river.Habitat quality, assessed using HABSCORE, varied between sites and over time. Habitat quality was not a predictor of juvenile density but presence of adult brown trout reduced juvenile numbers. DNA for molecular analysis was extracted from fin-clips (removed non-lethally) and genetic variation and distribution of genetic variation was assessed using 5 microsatellites. Relatedness tests indicated that some 0+ parr within a site were closely related. It was inferred that 1+ parr had moved from their natal site, as they could not be assigned to a site of origin. Moderate heterozygosity was detected at each sample site. Low, but significant, genetic differentiation over all sites was detected in summer and autumn for three consecutive years. Isolation by distance was detected at two out of the six sample times, despite small distances between sites. This was strong evidence for structuring within the population. Using a new statistical test, no temporal stability of spatial population structure was detected in the River Frome, but significant temporal stability was detected using published data for Atlantic salmon in a Canadian river
New frontiers in biosafety and biosecurity
No full textBiotechnology has great potential to contribute to sustainable development. Over the past 18 months, it has enabled rapid deployment of methods to detect, treat and protect people against infection by SARS-CoV-2 (Baek et al., 2020; Beigel et al., 2020; Voysey et al., 2021). In addition, gene editing is promising to revolutionize medicine, public health, agriculture and manufacturing through, among other things, the treatment of hereditary diseases, the control of agricultural pests and vectors of dangerous human pathogens, the breeding of crops for healthier diets and livestock for greater animal welfare, and the production of organisms for industrial biotechnology that produce raw materials that may replace fossil fuels in the manufacture of numerous products (Barrangou and Doudna, 2016; Collins, 2018; Ricroch, 2019; Clarke and Kitney, 2020).Nevertheless, application of biotechnology could cause severe harm if the associated risks are not well managed. Gain-of-function research may increase our knowledge of pathogen evolution; however, it may also cause catastrophic effects if laboratory containment fails or if the new knowledge is used to develop biological weapons (Duprex et al., 2015). Treatment of disease using gene editing, particularly through heritable modifications, raises numerous questions about the bearing of inter-generational risks and the possible exacerbation of health inequalities (Vasiliou et al., 2016). And the use of biotechnology in agriculture remains controversial over 25 years after genetically modified (GM) crops were first grown commercially. Supporters point to reduced pesticide use, greater carbon sequestration and increased yield and profitability for farmers who grow GM crops (Brookes and Barfoot, 2018). By contrast, critics claim that the use of GM crops perpetuates harmful environmental and social consequences of industrial agriculture (Wilson et al., 2021).To realize the potential of biotechnology, society must envisage biosafety and biosecurity as more than simply containment of organisms that have been bioengineered. Biosafety and biosecurity should seek to enable continuous improvement in policy- and decision-making to optimize the balance between opportunity and risk in using biotechnology to find sustainable solutions to societal problems. I discuss three new frontiers that must be opened to achieve this aim: political leadership in making and justifying choices about the use of biotechnology for sustainable development; regulations that encourage innovation; and responsible innovation by businesses and responsible engagement by civil society
Counter-planning a future? French trade unions and employment, 1981-1986
No full textAvailable from British Library Document Supply Centre- DSC:DX85340 / BLDSC - British Library Document Supply CentreSIGLEGBUnited Kingdo
Mechanical stress priming to enhance crop resilience
No full textExposure to mechanical stress alters the growth and development of plants, and can prime them to be resistant to subsequent environmental stress. The application of mechanical stress therefore has the potential to improve the resilience of crop plants to the effects of climate change. The principle of priming plants has been common in cereal farming in Japan for centuries, where farmers apply repeated mechanical treatment to seedlings to induce beneficial traits. We mimicked this practice in the laboratory, using a robot to pull a heavy roller across the surface of soil and pressing plants in a controlled manner. The effect of timing and frequency of mechanical stimulation was assessed using the model species Arabidopsis thaliana. Expression of touch-response marker genes XTH22, WRKY40 and CML24 was found to be significantly altered by application of mechanical stress at different times of day. Transcriptome analysis indicated that plants become less responsive to mechanical stimulus following repeated exposure, with accommodation of gene regulation observed for many core touch-response pathways. To assess the potential of mechanical stress priming for agriculture, repeated rolling treatment was applied to the African orphan crop Eragrostis tef (tef), which is extremely prone to lodging. Mechanical treatment was found to significantly delay lodging and improve root anchorage of tef plants. In addition to laboratory-based work, I interviewed cereal farmers across the UK to assess farmers’ attitudes to mechanical stress priming. Such practices, particularly the application of a single post-emergence rolling treatment, were found to be widespread across the UK, and considered by many farmers to be traditional knowledge. This investigation demonstrated the value of farmers’ knowledge, and the need for this to be better recognised and integrated within formal knowledge systems.
In preliminary trials, mechanical rolling of heritage and modern wheat varieties was shown to increase the number or tillers and crown roots per plant, broadly in line with farmers’ perceptions on the effect of rolling in the field. Overall, the results of this interdisciplinary study suggest great potential for mechanical stress priming to improve cereal crop resilience in a wide range of contexts
Improving the regulation and social acceptance of crop-protection and seeds products produced using new technologies:An industry perspective
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