Team members

Biotechnology and Molecular Genetics

 

Image of Christine Henry Christine Henry -

Team leader
Biotechnology and Molecular Genetics

Christine is the Team Leader and her team provides molecular expertise in support of a range of customers, including Defra, FSA, EU and commercial customers.

Publications

Weekes, R., Allnutt, T., Boffey, C., Morgan, S., Bilton, M., Daniels, R. & Henry, C. (2007). A study of crop-to-crop gene flow using farm scale sites of fodder maize (Zea mays L.) in the UK. Transgenic Research.

G. E. Budge , C. Ratti, C. Rubies-Autonell, D. Lockley, M. Bonnefoy, V. Vallega, S. Pietravalle and C. M. Henry. (2007). Response of UK winter wheat cultivars to Soil-borne cereal mosaic and Wheat spindle streak mosaic viruses across Europe. European Journal of Plant Pathology.

Paoletti,C., Heissenberger, A., Mazzara, M., Larcher, S., Grazioli, E., Corbisier, P., Hess, N., Berben, G., Lubeck, P. S., De Loose, M., Moran, G., Henry, C., Brera, C., Folch, I., Ovesna,J. Van den Eede, G.(2006). Kernel lot distribution assessment (KeLDA): a study on the distribution of GMO in large soybean shipments. European Food Research and Technology.

For more publications that Christine has authored or contributed to, please use the CSL publications database.

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Image of Theo Allnutt Theo Allnutt -

Plant Molecular Biologist

Theo's general expertise is plant molecular biology; plant population genetics and evolution; plant conservation genetics; phylogenetics and systematics; genetics statistics; molecular marker systems.

Theo's role in CSL is:

  • To provide advice and consultancy on plant molecular biology for the GM inspectorate, Defra and European Commission
  • To manage and carry out R&D in the field of GM plants
  • To identifiy new research opportunities and obtain funding
  • Case by case investigation of specific issues relating to potential breaches of consents and/or the relevant GM legislation
  • Development of GM detection technology & forensics
  • Development of methods for sampling & detection of GM seed in certified seed lots and bulk grain batches
  • Plant identification and crop variety authentication using molecular methods
  • To apply expertise in geneflow modelling to GM coexistence issues
  • Use of genomics in plant biodiversity studies, population genetics

Publications

Weekes, R., Allnutt, T. R., Boffey, C., Morgan, S., Bilton, M., Daniels, R. Henry, H. (2006) A study of crop-to-crop gene flow using farm scale sites of fodder maize (Zea mays L.) in the UK. Transgenic Research. In Press.

Weekes, R., Deppe, C., Allnutt, T. R., Boffey, C., Morgan, D., Morgan, S., Bilton, M., Daniels, R., Henry, C. (2005) Crop-to Crop gene flow using farm scale sites of oilseed rape (Brassica napus) in the UK. Transgenic Research 14:749-759

Newton, A. C., Allnutt, T. R., Gillies, A. C. M., Lowe, A. J., & Ennos, R. A. (1999) Molecular phylogeography, intraspecific variation and the conservation of tree species. Trends in Ecology and Evolution 14 (4): 140-145.

For more publications that Theo has authored or contributed to, please use the CSL publications database.


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Image of Hez Hird Hez Hird -

Senior Molecular Biologist

Consumers increasingly demand reassurance of the origin and content of their food. With the rise in requirements for foods to align with religious, health, taste or moral preferences, manufacturers need to ensure they can confirm the authenticity of components such as meats, fish and plant material. Foods must comply with legislation and be free from contamination. Hez is the Senior Molecular Biologist responsible for Authenticity and Species Identification and CSL's molecular biology network coordinator. Hez is involved with the development and implementation of molecular methods for the authentication and identification of a range of animals, birds and plants.

The R&D we carry out underpins the commercial service offered for DNA authenticity and additionally we publish our methodology in scientific journals.

Publications

Hird, H., Hold, G., Chisholm, J., Reece, P., Russell, V., Brown, J., Goodier, R. & Macarthur, R. (2005) Development of a method for the quantification of Haddock (Melanogrammus aeglefinus) in commercial products using real-time PCR. European Food Research and Technology 220:633-637.

Hird, H., Chisholm, J. & Brown, J (2005) The detection of duck species in food using a multiplex real-time PCR assay. European Food Research and Technology 221:559-563

Lawley, W., Hird, H., Mallinder, P., McKenna, S., Hargadon, B., Murray, A. & Bradding, P. (2005) Detection of an activating c-kit mutation by real-time PCR in patients with anaphylaxis. Mutation Research. 572:1-13

For more publications that Hez has authored or contributed to, please use the CSL publications database.

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