Gran Bretaña: Norwich scientists given £840,000 to develop a new potato
Scientists at The Sainsbury Laboratory (TSL) on Norwich Research Park, have been given the funding for five years to come up with a genetically-modified potato, which could be better for the environment, healthier for consumers and cheaper to produce
The TSL Potato Partnership Project, headed by Jonathan Jones, will get the funding from the Horticulture and Potato Initiative. A further 10pc will be provided by the industrial partners in the project: BioPotatoes UK Ltd and Simplot, based in the US.
If the project is successful, both companies will invest in taking the potato through the process of regulatory approval and to market in the US and Europe.
Prof Jones, who aims to begin work this autumn, said: “We’re still some years away from our final crop. It would need to go through all the necessary approval processes.
“If it passes those tests and if it is approved for planting, this potato could prevent many tonnes of pesticides and fungicides being sprayed on our land, increase yields and make a healthier crisp or chip.”
The TSL Potato Partnership Project is a public-private partnership, combining scientific expertise from The Sainsbury Laboratory and the University of Leeds with expertise from BioPotatoes UK Ltd.
Fuente: http://www.edp24.co.uk/news/norwich
