About Eu-Sol
Find out more about this project.
An introduction to the aims of EU-SOL and how we plan to achieve them. Plus read about the organisations and people working on this project.
GB: SCRI
An aerial shot of the SCRI centre
Photographer: Unknown. Copyright free
Full name: Scottish Crop Research Institute
Location: Dundee, Scotland
About Us
SCRI is Scotland's leading institute for research on plants and their interactions with the environment, particularly in managed ecosystems. Our mission is to conduct excellent research in plant and environment sciences. We are studying the likely impact of climate change on Scotland and the wider world. Our vision is to deliver innovative products, knowledge and services that enrich the life of the community and address the public goods of sustainability and high quality and healthy food.
SCRI and Eu-Sol
SCRI’s role in EU-SOL is divided between modules 1 and 2. Module 1 is concerned with organoleptic quality of tomato fruit and potato tubers, as perceived by consumers. Our work in this module focuses on the role of volatiles and other compounds in determining potato flavour and texture, traits of ever-increasing importance to consumers. Module 2 is focused on ‘Health-based Consumer Quality Traits in Tomato and Potato’. Our role is aimed at gaining an understanding of the biochemical genetics of carotenoid production in potato, using unique SCRI germplasm rich in these important compounds. Humans benefit in a number of ways from dietary carotenoids present in some potato tubers. For example, some carotenoids are vitamin A precursors, lycopene appears to have a protective effect against prostate cancer and Lutein and zeaxanthin intake may provide protection against age-related macular degeneration. A further aspect of our work in Module 2 is the identification of genetic loci impacting the concentrations of mineral elements essential to human nutrition.
Staff (working on EU-SOL)
- Dr Glenn Bryan, Group Leader, Genetics Programme
- Dr Mark Taylor, Group Leader, Plant Products and Food Quality Programme
- Dr Gavin Ramsay, Project Leader, Genetics Programme
- Professor Philip White, Programme Leader in Environment Plant Interactions (EPI)
