The gene garden

We often hear in the news about GM (Genetic Modification or Manipulation) but what does it actually involve? In this lecture Liam Dolan will explain how scientists go about manipulating the instruction manuals of plants with illustrations from his own research.

To ensure food security for the increasing world population in a environmentally sustainable way, we must double productivity on the same area of land. as well as address the concerns of modern high input agriculture, declining water availability and climate change. Join us to hear Chris Leaver talk about the importance of investing in science and technology - essential tools in increasing the efficiency of agriculture and attempting to reverse the impact of man- made climate change. In his words 'Doing nothing is not an option'

Plants are able to metabolise a surprisingly diverse range of synthetic chemicals including pesticides and pollutants. These chemical reactions are important in global agriculture, as the ability of crops to metabolise herbicides rapidly is the primary determining factor in selective weed control in all our major cereals. In addition these chemical transformations are of general interest to consumers as they determine the fate, and toxicity, of residues entering the food chain. Join us to hear Rob Edwards (Food and Environment Agency Chief Scientist) talk about the mechanisms by which plants metabolise synthetic chemicals and recent progress in understanding the underpinning biology and biochemistry.

Modern medicine uses many compounds which are isolated from plants. For example, vinblastine, which is used to treat many types of cancer, is isolated from the leaves of the Madagascar periwinkle. Sarah O'Connor will talk about her work in understanding the process by which the plant makes this substance. Not only will this lead to cheaper vinblastine but also to the production of slightly modified versions of vinblastine which may have improved medicinal properties.

The spectacular variety of colour and growth form seen in our gardens is the result of the action of thousands of genes operating in pathways and networks. However, the basic principles of genetics are very simple and this lecture will explain how genes work, how they give rise to colour and form, and how they are re-assorted during reproduction to produce new and exciting plant varieties.

Part of the Future of Crops Lecture Series held at the Oxford Botanic Gardens. Enhancing root function offers great promise in the development of sustainable crops. This lecture will highlight the critical role played by roots in nutrient uptake and review the most recent scientific breakthroughs in this area. The future application of technologies based on these discoveries will be central to enhancing crop productivity in the forthcoming agricultural revolution.

Part of the Future of Crops lecture series delivered at the Oxford Botanic Gardens. Trees, woodlands and their product, wood, surround our lives. In Britain today, people that access or connect with woodlands do so through a society that cherishes the beauty of the treescape and the wildlife it supports. A new dawn is breaking for forestry. Can we manage forests for carbon, grow fibre for wood heat and energy, and adapt to climate change, while continuing to meet existing objectives from UK forests? The forestry sector needs to engage with society. The Sylva Foundation's OneOak project aims to do this through science and art, focussing on the full life story of one oak tree.

Part of the Future of Crops lecture series delivered at the Oxford Botanic Gardens. Many of the World's poorest people depend upon rice for almost their entire calorific intake. Increases in rice yields are trailing behind increases in population growth and at this rate, by 2050, there will not be enough rice to go around. In this lecture, Jane will discuss the current situation, the predicted situation and the approaches being taken to prevent disaster.

Part of the Healing Power of Plants lecture series given at the Botanic Gardens. Dianna Bowles OBE from the Centre for Novel Agricultural Products in York has led pioneering work on the development of new higher yielding varieties of Artemisia annua which can be grown in developing countries to provide a supply of artemisinin for use in essential malaria medications.

Part of the Healing Power of Plants lecture series held at the Botanic Gardens. The talk will describe how unusual nitrogen- containing sugar analogues produced by plants are being discovered by research undertaken in collaboration with Oxford chemists. These sugar analogues may well explain the therapeutic activity of many plants and form the basis of important new medicines.