Glenn Bryan

Group Leader
E: glenn.bryan@hutton.ac.uk
T: +44 (0)1382 568735

Dr Glenn Bryan leads the Potato Genetics and Breeding group at the James Hutton Institute in Dundee. He studied at London and Birmingham Universities, and obtained his PhD at Washington University in St Louis, USA. He has worked in both animal (dairy cattle, Drosophila) and plant (wheat, rice, potato, tomato) genetic research. 

In his current role he has been responsible for developing a modern potato genetics and genomics programme. He has made significant advances in the genetic mapping of some of the most effective sources of pest and disease resistance in potato as well as tuber quality and developmental traits. 

Biography

He was a participant in both the potato and tomato genome sequencing projects and led the UK participation in the Potato Genome Sequencing Consortium, for which he also served on the steering committee. The potato and tomato genomes were published in Nature in 2011 and  2012. His group has also led the effort to make further improvements to the potato genome assembly, and this work will be published in late 2013.

He serves as one of the co-chairs of the global SOL project, whose role is to facilitate research into Solanaceous plant species. He serves on various committees, such as the BBSRC HAPI steering panel and the Biosciences KTN Plant sector group advisory panel.

Research

Current research

My current research is based on the following:

  • Development and use of germplasm resources for potato trait analysis. These comprise bi-parental populations and association panels, as well as diverse germplasm collections.
  • Genetic analysis of commercially relevant potato traits in potato, especially those impacting on marketable yield, such as tuber dormancy and resistances to important pests and pathogens.
  • Constructing mutant populations of potato using the inbreeding potato species Solanum verrucosum.
  • Investigation of the role of miRNAs in tuberisation and other potato traits.

Achievements

  • Development of biological and technical resources for performing genetics of important potato traits.
  • Led the UK’s participation in the successful potato genome sequencing consortium as well as being a PI in the global tomato genome sequencing effort.
  • Established a strong presence in the potato research and breeding community, as shown by membership of key panels and consortia.

Future work

I hope to focus my future research on gaining a better understanding of tuber processes (e.g. dormancy) and to study adaptational and domestication events in potato, using some of the germplasm I have developed.

Past research

  • Group leader (Band 3/Grade G), Cell and Molecular Sciences, The James Hutton Institute. April 2011-present.
  • Project leader (Band 4), Genetics Programme, SCRI, 1996-2011
  • Postdoctoral Scientist, Cereals Research Department, John Innes Centre, Norwich. 1992-1996.
  • Postdoctoral Researcher, Institute of Cell and Molecular Biology, University of Edinburgh. 1990-1992.
  • PhD student, Genetics Programme, Washington University, St Louis, USA. 1984-1989.
  • Cattle Geneticist, B & P Research Unit, Milk Marketing Board, Surrey. 1980-1984.

Publications

Journals

Books

  • Prashar, A.; Colwell, F.; Hornyik, C.; Bryan, G.J. (2018) Advances in development of potato varieties resistant to abiotic stress, In: Wang-Pruski, G. (ed.). Achieving Sustainable Cultivation. Volume 1 Breeding, Nutritional and Sensory Quality. Burleigh Dodds Science Publishing, 125-142
  • Sharma, S.K.; Bryan, G.J. (2017) Genome sequence-based marker development and genotyping in potato., In: Kumar Chakrabarti S., Xie C. & Kumar Tiwari,J. (eds.) The Potato Genome. Compendium of Plant Genomes. Springer, Cham., Chapter 17, pp307-316.
  • Ramsay, G.; Bryan, G.J. (2011) Solanum., In: Kole, C. (ed.). Wild Crop Relatives: Genomic and Breeding Resources: Vegetables. Springer, Heidelberg, Germany, Chapter 12, 259-271.. ISBN: 978-3642148705
  • Bryan, G.J. (2007) Genomics., In: Vreugdenhil, D., Bradshaw, J.E., Gebhardt, C., Govers, F., MacKerron, D.K.L., Taylor, M.A. & Ross, H.A. (eds.). Potato Biology and Biotechnology. Elsevier, Amsterdam, Chapter 9, 179-202.
  • Milbourne, D.; Pande, B.; Bryan, G.J. (2007) Potato., In: Kole, C. (ed.). Genome Mapping, Molecular Breeding in Plants, Volume 3. Pulses, Sugar and Tuber Crops. Springer. Enfield, NH, USA, pp205-236.
  • Ritter, E.; Lucca, F.; Sanchez, I.; Ruiz de Galarreta, J.I.; Aragones, A.; Castanon, S.; Bryan, G.J.; Waugh, R.; Lefebvre, V.; Rousselle-Bourgeois, F.; Gebhardt, C.; van Eck, H.; van Os, H.; Taco, J.; Bakker, E.; Bakker, J. (2005) Genomic resources in potato and possibilities for exploitation., In: Haverkort, A.J. & Struik, P.C (eds.). Potato in progress; science meets practice. Wageningen Academic Publishers, Netherlands, pp55-65.
  • Bryan, G.J. (2004) Molecular analysis of plant genetic resources., In: Henry, R.J. (ed.). Plant Conservation Genetics. Haworth Press Inc., pp131-148.

Reports

Conference papers

  • Strachan, S.M.; Hein, I.; Bryan, G.J.; McLean, K.; Blok, V.C. (2016) Mapping the H2 gene to a Globodera pallida pathotype PA1-resistant potato cultivar., The Dundee Conference: Crop Protection in Northern Britain 2016, Dundee, 23-24 February 2016, pp245-250.
  • Young, V.; Prashar, A.; McLean, K.; Hornyik, C.; Sharma, S.K.; Dale, M.F.B.; Bryan, G.J. (2014) Potential for molecular marker development and utilization in potato breeding programmes based on a genetic study in a diploid potato population., Crop Protection in Northern Britain, Environmental Management and Crop Protection, West Park Conference Centre, Dundee, 25-26 February 2014.
  • Chen, X.; Bayer, M.; Harrower, B.; Stevens, L.; Chapman, S.; Gilroy, E.; van Weymers, P.; Jupe, F.; Witek, K.; Jones, J.; Birch, P.; Bryan, G.; Hein, I. (2014) Using the potato genome to map and clone durable resistance genes more rapidly., Crop Protection in Northern Britain, Environmental Management and Crop Protection, West Park Conference Centre, Dundee, 25-26 February 2014.
  • Shepherd, L.V.T.; Pont, S.D.A.; Bryan, G.J.; Dale, M.F.B.; Hancock, R.D.; Hedley, P.E.; Morris, J.A.; Verrall, S.R.; Hackett, C.A.; McNicol, J.W.; Davies, H.V. (2013) Acrylamide forming potential of potato: predictive tools and genetic interactions., Aspects of Applied Biology, 116, 53-60.
  • Hornyik, C.; Zhang, R.; Prashar, A.; Marshall, D.F.; Bryan, G.J. (2013) Characterisation of micro RNAs in the tuber bearing crop potato., UK PlantSci 2013, University of Dundee, Dundee, 16-17 April 2013.
  • Sharma, S.K.; McLean, K.; Dale, M.F.B.; Bryan, G.J. (2012) Application of association mapping and genomic sequencing to modern potato breeding., International Workshop on Advanced Breeding Programmes for Sustainable Crop and Livestock Production, Edinburgh, 2 May 2012.
  • Sharma, S.K.; McLean, K.; Dale, M.F.B.; Bryan, G.J. (2012) Application of association mapping and genomic sequencing to modern potato breeding., Potatoes in Practice, Dundee, 9 August 2012.
  • Sharma, S.K.; McLean, K.; Dale, M.F.B.; Bryan, G.J.; (2012) Characterisation of the genetic diversity of tetraploid potato using genome-wide high-density SNP genotyping., SOL 2012 Conference – From Bench to Innovative Applications, Neuchatel, Switzerland, 26-30 August 2012.
  • Bryan, G.J.; Prashar, A.; Young, V.; McLean, K.; Hornyik, C.; Sharma, S.K.; Dale, M.F.B. (2012) QTL analysis of a phureja-tuberosum diploid potato cross segregating for several traits., Solanaceae Conference, Neuchatel, Switzerland, 26-30 August 2012.
  • McLean, K.; Young, V.; Sharma, S.K.; Prashar, A.; Dale, M.F.B.; Bryan, G.J. (2011) Analysis of traits on a new diploid potato population., SOL & ICUGI, Japan, 28 November – 2 December 2011.
  • Milbourne, D.; Moloney, C.; Dalton, E.; Bryan, G.J.; McLean, K.; Bradshaw, J.E.; Nagy, I.; Destefanis, M.; Griffin, D. (2010) Characteristisation of the major disease resistance locus on potato chromosome 4 allows the development of diagnostic markers for resistance breeding., EAPR EUCARPIA Congress. Wageningen, The Netherlands, 28-30 June 2010, Potatoe Research, 53, 214.
  • Bolser, D.M.; Sharma, S.K.; de Boer, J.; Borm, T.; Bryan, G.J.; Martin, D.M.A. (2010) Anchoring the potato genome: In silico approaches., EAPR EUCARPIA Congress, Wageningen, The Netherlands, 28-30 June 2010, Potatoe Research, 53, 205.
  • Bryan, G.J. (2010) The potato genome sequence., EAPR EUCARPIA Congress. Wageningen, The Netherlands, 28-30 June 2010 (Talk), Potatoe Research, 53, 200-201.
  • Prashar, A.; Roberts, A.G.; George, T.S.; Ramsay, G.; Hallett, P.D.; Jones, H.G.; Hedley, P.E.; McNicol, J.W.; Dale, M.F.B.; W hite, P.J.; Bryan, G.J. (2010) Water use efficiency in potatoes: traits to phenotype., EAPR Eucarpia Congress 2010, Wageningen, Netherlands, 27-30 June 2010. Potato Research, 53, 209-210.
  • Prashar, A.; Wishart, J.; George, T.S.; Brown, L.K.; Thompson, J.A.; Ramsay, G.; Bradshaw, J.E.; White, P.J.; Bryan, G.J.; Gregory, P.J. (2009) Root architecture in potato: potential for improving resource capture and QTL mapping., 2nd Meeting of the International Network of Abiotic Stress (INPAS): Plant Abiotic Stress – From Signalling to Development, Tartu, Estonia, 14-17 May 2009.
  • Morris, W.L.; Ducreux, L.J.M.; Campbell, R.; McDougall, G.J.; Ramsay, G.; Bryan, G.J.; Hedley, P.E.; Taylor, M.A. (2009) Potato tuber quality traits and secondary metabolism., SOL 2009, New Delhi, 8-13 November 2009.
  • Campbell, R.; Morris, W.L.; Ducreux, L.J.M.; Morris, J.A.; Scandura, M.C.; Ramsay, G.; Bryan, G.J.; Hedley, P.E.; Taylor, M.A. (2009) The role of carotenoid cleavage products in tuber apical meristem activation and deactivation processes., SOL 2009, New Delhi, 8-13 November 2009.
  • Ramsay, G.; Bryan, G.J. (2009) Improving the utilisation of potato genetic resources., EUCARPIA Genetic Resources, Slovenia, 19 May 2009.
  • Hein, I.; Gilroy, E.M.; Whisson, S.C.; Pritchard, L.; Bryan, G.J.; Birch, P.R.J. (2009) Exploiting the Phytophthora infestans genome to determine targets for sustainable potato protection., XIV MPMI Conference, Montreal, Canada, 19-23 July 2009.
  • Bryan, G.J.; Lloyd, D.; Sharma, S.K.; Bradshaw, J.E. (2008) Genetic analysis of sensory and volatile traits in potato., 17th Triennial Conference of the European Association for Potato Research, Brasov, Romania, 6-10 July 2008.
  • McLean, K.; Bradshaw, J.E.; Lees, A.K.; Bryan, G.J. (2008) Mapping resistance to late blight in two S. verrucosum populations., 5th Solanaceae Genome Workshop 2008, Cologne, Germany, 12-16 October 2008.
  • Destefanis, M.; Griffin, D.; Bryan, G.J.; Milbourne, D. (2008) Physical characterisation of the Gpa4 locus conferring resistance to Globodera pallida Pa2/3 in potato., 5th Solanaceae Genome Workshop 2008, Cologne, Germany, 12-16 October 2008.
  • de Boer, J.; Borm, T.; Fiers, M.; Te Lintel Hekkert, B.; van Staveren, M.; Bryan, G.J.; Stiekema, W.; van Ham, R.; Bachem, C.; Visser, R. (2008) Progress with sequencing of potato chromosomes 1 and 5., 5th Solanaceae Genome Workshop 2008, Cologne, Germany, 12-16 October 2008.
  • de Boer, J.; Borm, T.; Fiers, M.; Te Lintel Hekkert, B.; van Staveren, M.; Bryan, G.J.; Stiekema, W.; van Ham, R.; Bachem, C.; Visser, R. (2008) The effect of heterozygosity on physical map construction and genome sequencing in diploid potato., 5th Solanaceae Genome Workshop 2008, Cologne, Germany, 12-16 October 2008.
  • Bryan, G.J.; Lloyd, D.; Sharma, S.K.; Hackett, C.A.; Nevison, L.; Taylor, M.A.; Bradshaw, J.E. (2008) Genetic analysis of flavour and texture in potato., 5th Solanaceae Genome Workshop 2008, Cologne, Germany, 12-16 October 2008.
  • Saddler, G.S.; Bryan, G.J.; Danial, J.; Elphinstone, J.G.; McHugh, R.C.; Parkinson, N.M.; van de Graaf, P.; Winfield, M.O. (2008) Potato brown rot: A threat to Scottish seed potatoes?, Proceedings Crop Protection in Northern Britain 2008, Dundee, 26-27 February 2008, pp193-198.
  • Taylor, M.A.; Morris, W.L.; Ducreux, L.J.M.; Ross, H.A.; McDougall, G.J.; Bryan, G.J.; Hedley, P.E. (2008) Quality trait dissection in potato tubers using comparative metabolite and transcript analysis., 5th Solanaceae Genome Workshop 2008, Cologne, Germany, 12-16 October 2008.
  • Hein, I.; Harrower, B.E.; Squires, J.; Birch, P.R.J.; Bryan, G.J. (2007) Screening wild potato accessions for resistance to the virulent allel of the Phytophthora infestans effector avr3a EM., XIII International Congress of Molecular Plant Microbe Interactions, Sorrento, Italy, 21-27 July 2007.
  • Moloney, C.; Griffin, D.; Bradshaw, J.E.; Bryan, G.J.; Milbourne, D. (2006) Developing MAS for the major heritable component of the H3-based resistance to Globodera pallida pathotype Pa2/3 in potato., International Solanaceae Conference and Solanaceae Genomics Network, Madison, Wisconsin, 23-27 July 2006.
  • Bruggman, R.; Buchan, D.; Abbott, J.; Butcher, S.; Nicholson, C.; McLaren, K.; Humphray, S.; Rogers, J.; Bryan, G.J. (2006) Annotation tools and annotation in the UK tomato chromosome 4., International Solanaceae Conference and Solanaceae Genomics Network, Madison, Wisconsin, 23-27 July 2006.

Conference posters

  • Sharma, S.K.; McLean, K.; Sønderkær, M.; Bryan, G.J. (2022) SPET genotyping within the genespace for advancing genetics and breeding applications in potato, The XVII International Conference on the Plant Family of Solanaceae (SOL2022), 1-5 November 2022, Thessaloniki, Greece.
  • George, T.; Brown, L.; Bryan, G.; Wright, G.; Thompson, J.; Neugebauer, K.; Hammond, J.; White, P. (2022) Combined stress diagnostic transcriptomics in potato, 19th International Plant Nutrition Colloquium (IPNC), 22-27 August 2022, Iguassu Falls, Paraná, Brazil.
  • Sharma, S.K.; McLean, K.; Morris, W.; Colgan, R.J.; Rees, D.; Taylor, M.; Bryan, G. (2019) The genetic analysis of tuber dormancy and sprout growth in potato, European Association for Potato Research (EAPR) Section Meeting 12-14 March 2019, Norwich, UK.
  • Sharma, S.K.; Bayer, M.; MacKenzie, K.; McLean, K.; Dale, F.; Taylor, M.; Bryan, G.J. (2018) Sequence-based genotyping and trait analysis in potato., 15th Solanaceae Conference (SOL2018), Chiang Mai, Thailand, 30 September – 4 October 2018. Abstract
  • Sharma, S.K.; McLean, K.; Morris, W.; Colgan, R.J.; Rees, D.; Taylor, M.; Bryan, G.J. (2018) The genetic control of tuber dormancy and sprout elongation in potato., 19th Joint Meeting of the Section ‘Breeding and Varietal Assessment’ of the EAPR and the EUCARPIA Section ‘Potatoes’, EAPR 2018 Conference, Rostock-Warnemuende, Germany, 3-6 December 2018. Abstract
  • Sharma, S.K.; McLean, K.; Morris, W.L.; Sønderkær, M.; Colgan, R.; Rees, D.; Taylor, M.A.; Bryan, G. (2017) The genetic control of tuber dormancy and sprout elongation in potato., XIV Solanaceae and 3rd Cucurbitaceae Joint Conference Solcuc 2017, Valencia, Spain, 3-6 September 2017. (Poster)
  • Morris, W.L.; Campbell, R.; Freitag, S.; Bryan, G.; Stewart, D.; Taylor, M.A. (2017) Solanesol: added value from potato waste: factors influencing solanesol content in potato., XIV Solanaceae and 3rd Cucurbitaceae Joint Conference Solcuc 2017, Valencia, Spain, 3-6 September 2017. (Poster)
  • Strachan, S.; Baker, K.; Hein, I.; Bryan, G.; Blok, V. (2016) Mapping the globodera pallida resistance gene H2 in potato using whole genome enrichment., Journal of Nematology, 48, p373. Abstract.
  • Sharma, S.K.; Bayer, M.; McLean, K.; MacKenzie, K.; Daniels, S.; Dale, F.; Bryan, G. (2015) Application of genotyping-by-sequencing and genome-wide association analysis in tetraploid potato, 3rd Plant Genomics Congress, 11-12 May 2015, London, UK.
  • Sharma, S.K.; Bayer, M.; McLean, K.; MacKenzie, K.; Daniels, S.; Dale, F.; Bryan, G. (2015) Genome-wide association studies using high-throughput SNP analysis in tetraploid potato, 12th Solanaceae Conference (SOL 2015), 25-29 October 2015, Bordeaux, France.
  • Dandurand, L-M.; Bryant, G.; Block, V.; De Jong, W.; Denver, D.; Hutchinson, P.; Jones, J.; Kuhl, J.; Knudsen, G.; Mimee, B.; Novy, R.; Thorton, M.; Wang, X.; Whitworth, J.; Zasada, I. (2015) Risk assessment and eradication of Globodera spp. in U.S. production of potato., Journal of Nematology, 47, 230.
  • Sharma, S.K.; Bayer, M.; McLean, K.; MacKenzie, K.; Daniels, S.; Dale, F.; Bryan, G. (2014) Application of genotyping-by-sequencing for identifying SNP variation and performing genome-wide association studies in a tetraploid potato association panel, 19th Triennial Conference of the European Association for Potato Research (EAPR), 6-11 July 2014, Brussels, Belgium.
  • Sharma, S.K.; Bayer, M.; McLean, K.; MacKenzie, K.; Daniels, S.; Dale, F.; Bryan, G. (2014) Genotyping-by-sequencing and genome-wide association analysis in tetraploid potato, 11th Solanaceae Conference (SOL 2014), 2-6 November 2014, Porto Seguro-BA, Brazil.
  • Zhang, R.; Liney M.; Marshall, D.; Dalmay, T.; Bryan, G.J.; Hornyik, C. (2014) The micro RNA transcriptome change during tuberization in potato., Post-transcriptional Gene Expression Regulation in Plants, Poznan, Poland, 30 June – 2 July 2014.
  • MacFarlane, S.; Cowan, G.; Al-Abedy, A.; McLean, K.; Bryan, G.; Torrance, L. (2013) A new source of resistance in potato to Potato virus Y., EMBO Plant Virology Workshop, Green Virsuses, from Gene to Landscape, Hyeres-les-Palmiers, France, 7-11 September 2013.
  • Hein, I.; Gilroy, E.; Hornyik, C.; Bryan, G.; Milne, I.; Toth, I.K.; Ducreux, L.; Torrance, L.; Milne, L.; Cock, P.; Pritchard, L.; Sharma, K.; MacFarlane, S.; Zhang, R.; Hedley, P.; Jones, J.; Birch, P.; Taylor, M.; Dale, F.; McNaughton, I.; Wright, J.; Prashar, A.; Blok, V.; Carnegie, P.; Chapman, S. (2013) Utilising the potato genome., Potatoes in Practice 2013, Balruddery Farm, Invergowrie, Dundee, 8 August 2013.
  • Torrance, L.; Cowan, G.; McLean, K.; Al Abedy, A.; Macfarlane, S.; Bryan, G. (2012) Novel broad spectrum resistance to potato potyviruses Y, V and A., Proceedings Crop Protection in Northern Britain, Dundee, 28-29 February, 2012.
  • Torrance, L.; Cowan, G.; Mclean, K.; Al-Abedy, A.; MacFarlane, S.; Bryan, G. (2012) Novel broad-spectrum resistance to potato potyviruses., Phytopathology, 102, 120.
  • Hornyik, C.; Zhang, R.; Marshall, D.F.; Bryan, G.J. (2012) Exploring the miRNA transcriptome of a tuber bearing crop, potato., EMBO/EMBL Symposium: The Complex Life of mRNA, Heidelberg, Germany, 7-10 October 2012 (Poster).
  • Hornyik, C.; Young, V.; McLean, K.; Dale, M.F.B.; Bryan, G.J. (2011) Analysis of a diploid potato population with SNP markers and detailed analysis of tuber shape., 8th Solanaceae and 2nd Cucurbitaceae Joint Conference, Kobe, Japan, 28 November – 2 December 2011. (Poster)