Biotechnology and Molecular Genetics

Mission and objectives

The team provides molecular expertise in support of a range of customers, including Defra, FSA, EU and commercial customers. We have particular expertise in the areas of food authenticity, species identification and GM, we also provide molecular genetic skills in support of various wildlife projects managed by other teams in CSL (WEM group). The team consists of 13 permanent staff trained in molecular technology and enforcement skills and several students and visiting workers.

The team also provides Defra with inspection services for deliberate GM releases to the environment under the Environmental Protection Act 1990 and to ensure that seed planted commercially in the UK is free from unauthorised GM presence through a voluntary seed auditing scheme.

Science themes

• Food Authenticity - Development of assays for the identification of pheasant, duck, venison, donkey and horse in heat treated products, the first laboratory to develop a quantitative assay for haddock in a mixture and the preparation and homogeneity testing of FAPAS® test materials
• Species Identification - Plant identification and crop variety authentication using molecular methods, identification of animals species for example the Cellerdyke H5N1 positive swan as Whooper and DNA sequencing of birdstrike samples
• Genetic Modification - Development of GM detection technology & forensics, Development of methods for sampling & detection of GM seed in certified seed lots and bulk grain batches, Geneflow modelling of GM coexistence issues, Manage and carry out R & D in the field of GM plants
• Molecular Genetics - Use of genomics in plant biodiversity studies, population genetics

Team members

• Christine Henry  |  Team Leader
• Theo Allnutt  |  Plant Molecular Biologist
• Hez Hird  |  Senior Molecular Biologist