Dr Penny Hundleby

Senior Scientist

GM technologies are used not only to create commercial GM crops but they are increasingly being exploited as a research tool for testing gene function.

Penny co-ordinates the Brassica transformation programmes at the John Innes Centre, enabling the translation of findings from model plants, into Brassica.

Brassicas, as oilseed rape and as vegetable crops, have an annual UK market value in excess of £800M. Developing a better understanding of the genetics of these crops, especially the role of genes with potential for use in crop improvement is useful to both scientists, crop breeders and food producers.

Penny’s role in BRACT (Biotech Resources for Arable Crop Transformation), a transformation facility based at the John Innes Centre involves collaborations with many scientists both locally and globally.

Penny also has an interest in the current regulatory and political landscape of GM crops at a global level, particularly in the general history and current market status of biotech crops, GM regulation at the EU level, biosafety issues, and science communication in this area. Penny actively engages with scientists, breeders, farmers, policy makers and the public.

Selected Publications

See all of Dr Penny Hundleby's publications