Next Generation Technologies for Plant Breeding

What do we offer?

Our Next Generation Technologies for Plant Breeding (NGTPB) group provides research capability in advanced techniques that can accelerate the delivery of new and innovative cultivars for the benefit of breeders, growers, consumers, and the environment. We have experience in the application of seed technology to improve seed performance and longevity, and in marker discovery for key traits using plant populations, next generation sequencing, bioinformatics, and genetics. We are also deploying new gene-editing technologies that are likely to radically transform the plant breeding industry. Our unique selling point is the combination of academic expertise, and our collective ambition to work closely with the crop breeding industry, co-design and deliver projects which can have a significant impact on plant breeding.

Who are we?

Professor Andrew Thompson has extensive experience in water use efficiency of plants, rootstock improvement for vigour and stress resistance in vegetable crops. This includes the molecular genetics of root traits in tomatoes; genetic variation in abscisic acid biosynthesis; and development of genetic and genomic resources to study drought resistance in tomatoes using the wild relatives Solanum sitiens and S. chilense. He is the Head of Soil, Agrifood and Biosciences.

Professor Fady Mohareb focuses on genome and transcriptome informatics, machine learning, data science, data visualisation and cloud technologies. He also has an established track record in the development of bioinformatics software tools for managing and analysing high throughput genomes, proteomics or metabolic data. He has experience in government- and industry-funded projects on crop genome data analyses of onion and tomato. Fady is Head of the Bioinformatics Group.

Dr Sofia Kourmpetli has a background in molecular genetics and developmental biology focused on understanding the genetic regulatory networks that control fruit and grain development and quality. Her current research focuses on understanding and improving seed quality and germination in different crop species, improving seed storage, and reducing food losses and waste. She also investigates the potential of urban agriculture to transform our food system for health, sustainability, and resilience. Sofia is a Lecturer in Plant Sciences.

Dr Zoltan Kevei has a broad background in plant molecular biology, including plant-microbe interactions, epigenetics, recombinant mapping of mutant genes in model plant species such as Arabidopsis, Medicago and tomato. Recently, his studies have focused on specific root traits and root architecture analyses of Solanaceae and Rosaceae species. Zoltan is a Lecturer in Plant Molecular Science.

Funding opportunities and bodies

The NGTB group identifies the best way of funding and delivering collaborative research projects that fit your business needs. Some examples of current opportunities can be found below.

Research student programmes

Master's or PhD programmes:

Direct funded MSc: You will have a master’s student or group of students working full time to resolve your business challenge over two months (group project) or four months (individual thesis project). Find out more about MSc individual and group projects.
Direct funded MSc by Research: This route allows a student to undertake an intensive one-year research degree while working full-time to provide a solution to your research challenge.
Direct funded PhD projects: Three- or four-year research degrees to address more complex challenges and have a substantial contribution to knowledge in the field.
FoodBioSystems DTP is funded under the third phase of BBSRC’s Doctoral Training Partnerships. It brings together six university partners: the University of Reading, Cranfield University, University of Surrey, Queen’s University Belfast, Aberystwyth University, and Brunel University London. The goal is to develop the next generation of bioscientists with in-depth knowledge and technical expertise of food systems and biological processes across the agrifood system from pre-farm to post-fork. Projects can be partly funded by industry partners.

Funding programmes with potential for industry involvement

BBSRC responsive mode research grants

Industrial partnership awards – academic-led research with significant industrial involvement and where an industry partner contributes in cash at least equivalent to 10% of the full economic costs of the project.
Stand-alone – collaborative research with at least one company where at least 50% of the full project cost comes from industry, either in cash or in kind.

Innovate UK

Smart Grants – a clear game-changing, innovative, disruptive, and ambitious idea leading to new products, processes or services, set for rapid commercialisation.
Frequent specific calls related to agricultural technologies.

Knowledge Transfer Partnership (KTP) programme

This programme aims to help businesses improve competitiveness and productivity through the better use of knowledge, technology and skills that reside within the UK knowledge base. Successful KTPs are funded by UK Research and Innovation through Innovate UK, part of the Government’s Industrial Strategy. They allow a University researcher to be based at your site and facilitate the transfer of knowledge and embedding of skills that will boost the competitiveness, productivity, and profitability of your business.

Recent funded projects

Industry-funded studentships on gene-editing and fruit quality traits of red raspberry (Edward Vinson - Berryworld)
Genetic control of root vigour in tomato (BBSRC Studentship 2450762)
Evaluating epigenetic and transcriptomic adaptations to climate change in Brassica napus (BBSRC Studentship 2451341)
Reducing seed loss and waste in umbelliferous crops (BBSRC Studentship 2454230)
AdRoot: Genetic control of adventitous rooting in horticultural crops (BBSRC-BB/S007970/1)
Genomics-assisted selection of Solanum chilense introgression lines for enhancing drought resistance in tomatoes (BBSRC - BB/L011611/1)
NextGenPhenomics: Building a systems-level cloud-based platform, integrating Next Generation Sequencing and advanced real-time phenotypic quantification in plants (NERC-1956140).
Controlling dormancy and sprouting in potato and onion (BBSRC - BB/K02065X/1)
RootLINK: “Understanding the Genetic Basis of Traits for Rootstock Improvement in Vegetable Crops” (BBSRC - BB/L01954X/1).
Knowledge Transfer Partnership: Develop more efficient bulk seed storage processes and seed 'health' monitoring capabilities by fully understanding what influences the quality, germination and vigour of seeds.