Modern molecular breeding methods will be introduced and used to demonstrate the new timelines that are now possible for the rapid improvement of medicinal plants as robust production systems
11:00- 11:05 Speakers photo
11:05 – 11:30 Mid-morning break
11:30 – 12:00 Tackling chronic disease through improvements to foods
Professor Cathie Martin, Norwich Research Park, UK
A major challenge for society is to reduce the frequency of the chronic diseases; cardiovascular disease, cancer and age-related degenerative diseases. Epidemiological studies have demonstrated the efficacy of diets high in fruit and vegetables in reducing the incidence of chronic disease because they contribute important phytonutrients which serve to promote antioxidant defence mechanisms. Plant biotechnology can make a very significant contribution to dietary improvement through model foods that test the importance of specific bioactives in promoting particular aspects of health, markers that allow molecular breeding for enhanced levels of bioactives and genetic engineering that provides novel, health-promoting (functional) foods.
12:00– 12:30 Selected Abstracts
12:30 – 13:30 Lunch and Poster Viewing
13:30 – 14:00 Using thin-layer chromatography (TLC) to detect biologically-active compounds in plant extracts
Professor Peter Houghton, Emeritus Professor Pharmaceutical sciences Division, Kings College London
In the last 20 years bioassay-guided isolation of active compounds from plant extracts has been widely used in the discovery of new lead compounds. One disadvantage of the conventional method of testing each fraction is the large number of fractions that have to be tested. The use of TLC together with various spray reagents for activity of biological interest enables the early rejection of fractions showing no activity and also helps to quickly identify the type of phytochemical and its rapid isolation.
14:00 – 14:30 Containment strategies in biopharming
Professor Denis J Murphy, University of Glamorgan, UK
This paper examines the challenges of segregating biopharmed crops from mainstream crops, particularly those destined for food or feed use. One commercially viable strategy to limit or avoid biopharming intrusion into the human food chain is the rigorous segregation of food and non-food varieties of the same crop species via a range of either physical or biological methods. Even more secure segregation is possible by use of non-food crops, non-crop plants, or in vitro plant cultures as production platforms for biopharming. Such platforms already under development range from outdoor-grown Nicotiana spp. to glasshouse-grown Arabidopsis, lotus and moss. Even more effective methods for secure biocontainment include plastid expression of transgenes, inducible and transient expression systems, and physical containment of plants or cell cultures. In the current atmosphere of heightened concerns over food safely and biosecurity, the future of biopharming may be largely determined by the extent to which the sector is able to maintain public confidence via a more considered approach to containment and security of its plant production systems.
14:30 – 15:00 Talk title to be confirmed
Dr Alessandra Devoto, Royal Holloway - University of London, UK
15:00 – 15:30 Afternoon Tea/Coffee and Last Poster Viewing
15:30 - 16:00 Talk title to be confirmed
16:00 – 16:30 Metabolic engineering of high-value and nutritional isoprenoids in plants
Dr Paul Frazer, Royal Holloway University London, UK
Over the past decade genetic/metabolic engineering of isoprenoid biosynthesis and accumulation has resulted in the generation of transgenic varieties containing enhanced or altered isoprenoids. In achieving this important goal many fundamental lessons have been learnt. Most notably is the observation that the endogenous pathways in higher plants appear to resist engineered changes. Typically, this resistance manifests itself through intrinsic regulatory mechanisms that are “silent” until manipulation of the pathway is initiated. In the present presentation the progress made in the genetic engineering of isoprenoids in tomato fruit and other Solanaceae will be reviewed.
16:30 – 17:00 Chairman’s summing up.
This meeting was organised by Euroscicon (www.euroscicon.com), a team of dedicated professionals working for the continuous improvement of technical knowledge transfer to all scientists. Euroscicon believe that they can make a positive difference to the quality of science by providing cutting edge information on new technological advancements to the scientific community. This is provided via our exceptional services to individual scientists, research institutions and industry. The event was hosted by 'BioPark (www.biopark.co.uk), a research and development centre in Welwyn Garden City providing specialist facilities and support for bioscience and health technology businesses to grow, and to develop new products and technologies
