Barley (c) James Hutton Institute "Skinning is a problem during malting, where barley grain is processed for brewing and distilling" A University of Dundee scientist based at the James Hutton Institute has been awarded more than £600,000 to study an increasing problem with the cereal crop barley that impacts the commercially important malting process and the shelf-life of animal feed. Dr Sarah McKim was awarded a BBSRC research grant to investigate the unfavourable trait called ‘skinning’, and to develop tools to track it in breeding populations. Related content International Barley Hub Robbie
"This research will forecast the extent of damage that could be caused to our precious coastlines through the effects of climate change" The damage that climate change could cause to nearly one-fifth of Scotland’s coastline, and the steps that could be taken to mitigate it, will be forecast in a new two-year research project funded by the Centre of Expertise for Waters (CREW), a partnership between the James Hutton Institute and Scottish universities. More information from: Bernardo Rodriguez-Salcedo, Media Manager, Tel: +44 (0)1224 395089 (direct line), +44 (0)344 928 5428 (switchboard) or
The James Hutton Institute has published its Annual Accounts for the financial year to April 2017. In a tough financial climate with challenges arising from ongoing austerity and uncertainty around Brexit consequences, the James Hutton Institute continues to be successful in winning grants and awards. However it needs to continue to look for opportunities to increase grant and commercial income to reduce reliance on Scottish Government research contracts. Related content Documents More information from: Bernardo Rodriguez-Salcedo, Media Manager, Tel: +44 (0)1224 395089 (direct line), +44 (0
"Potato has a very high satiety index compared to foods with an equivalent carbohydrate content and this represents a very positive aspect of potato nutrition" Tis’ the season of potato intake, but did you know the humble tattie is a great source of vitamins C, B6, B9 and a whole host of macro and microminerals? Together, these biocompounds are responsible for maintaining a good health balance and delaying the onset of several degenerative diseases. A Hutton study on the benefits of potatoes on human health has found that these micro and macro-minerals and to a lesser extent the vitamins, can
"John and Anke are highly respected in their own fields and have influential national and international networks" Professor John Jones and Dr Anke Fischer have been appointed to the leadership of the James Hutton Institute’s Cell and Molecular Sciences (CMS) group and the Social, Economic and Geographical Sciences ( SEGS) group, respectively. Related content Cell and Molecular Sciences Social, Economic and Geographical Sciences John Jones Anke Fischer More information from: Bernardo Rodriguez-Salcedo, Media Manager, Tel: +44 (0)1224 395089 (direct line), +44 (0)344 928 5428 (switchboard) or
"This award inspires me to continue to perform my very best in plant science" A PhD student at the University of Dundee and James Hutton Institute has been selected as Young Plant Scientist 2018 in the fundamental research category by the European Plant Science Organisation (EPSO). Shumei Wang, based at the Institute’s Cell and Molecular Sciences group, has discovered a new pathway involved in infection by Phytophthora infestans, the pathogen responsible for potato late blight. Her work significantly improves the understanding of plant- pathogen interactions and may open new possibilities in
“These compounds have shown strong potential to protect your precious neurons against neurodegenerative conditions and degenerative disease such as oxidative stress, glutamate excitotoxicity and neuroinflammation” In addition to more traditional seasonal dishes, there are good reasons to add some soft fruit to Christmas meals to enjoy extra health benefits, scientists at the James Hutton Institute have said. Researchers at the Institute have teamed with colleagues in Portugal and the United States to study the potential of polyphenols to provide protection against the symptoms of