Securing Seed Oil Synthesis

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Vegetable oils underpin the global bio-based economy. Securing the supply of quality oils of the required composition is the challenge facing modern Agriculture. Rothamsted Research has a long history of oil seed research and this project brings together a collection of internationally recognised scientists with expertise in all aspects of seed oil synthesis, modification and breakdown. This project aims to deliver an oil seed crop with increased yield to farmers in sub-optimal environments. To do this requires a greater understanding of how oil assembly works in crops subject to extreme environments; addressing the role of lipids in mediating abiotic stress tolerance.This project will involve moving functionality associated with the lipid profile of the extremophile Eutrema salsugineum, into the crop species Camelina sativa with the aim of creating a high yielding oil seed crop that can tolerate a range of environments. Lipid biochemistry and profiling skills will be gained in conjunction with transcriptomic analysis of the Camelina species.The project will combine transcriptomic and metabolic analysis utilizing analytical capabilities offered by the "lipidomics platform" (incorporating LC-MS/MS, ESI-MS/MS, and GC-FID), established at Rothamsted. This unique platform will provide a systems level description of the role of lipids in plant stress biology.