Dr Matthew Paul and Dr Cara Griffiths –  Rothamsted Research

Date: Thursday 12 Feb 2026, 10 am, SARDI Plant Research Centre Auditorium

Title:Translating discoveries in sugar signalling to crop yield improvement

Abstract: There is an ongoing need to improve both yield potential and resilience in crops in a way that is sustainable. Fundamental science can provide information on mechanisms and processes that could be targeted genetically or by other methods. Our research has found that trehalose 6-phosphate (T6P) is a sugar signal which inhibits the central protein kinase SnRK1 and regulates crop resource allocation. Over 20 years with Ben Davis at Oxford University we have developed a chemical intervention method for T6P. Using light-activated T6P precursors wheat yields can be increased in field conditions >10%, an order of magnitude greater than by current breeding. Significantly, yield increases were achieved without requirement for additional fertiliser in both wet and dry years. Yield is increased because T6P activates >100 genes for starch and protein synthesis in grain during early grain filling. Enhanced grain sink strength increases the rate of photosynthesis. Hence the whole source to sink pathway is activated. Interestingly, T6P overcomes recalcitrant trade-offs between grain size and grain number and between grain yield and grain protein content. The research demonstrates a step-change, scalable technology with net benefit to the environment that could provide sustainable yield improvements of diverse staple cereal crops.

Bio for Dr Matthew Paul: Following a PhD at the University of Leicester and Royal Society post-doctoral fellowship in Germany, MP has spent much of his career at Rothamsted Research where he is a Principal Research Scientist in the Delivering Sustainable Wheat Institute Strategic Programme. In 1999 he began working on trehalose 6-phosphate (T6P) sugar signalling. Through several productive collaborations and grants particularly from UKRI-BBSRC the team discovered that T6P inhibited SnRK1, a member of the conserved AMPK/SNF1 protein kinase master regulators of metabolism, sugar and energy homeostasis. Subsequent research has shown the central role of T6P in crop resource allocation. A chemical intervention method to perturb T6P in crops pioneered with Professor Ben Davis (Oxford University) increases wheat yields in field conditions. The research has led to the formation of spinout SugaROx co-founded by MP, Ben Davis and Cara Griffiths which is developing T6P applications in a range of crops.

Bio for Dr Cara Griffiths: Cara is a molecular biologist – biochemist. Cara is interested in whole plant carbon allocation and carbon usage, with an emphasis on how this is regulated by SnRK1 and sugar phosphates, in particular trehalose-6-phosphate (T6P). In addition, she also looks at how sugars are accumulated and used in both drought and desiccation tolerance processes. Cara has a research background in the molecular mechanisms of desiccation tolerance, where she previously looked at hormone glycosylation and senescence avoidance in the resurrection grass, Sporobolus stapfianus. In addition, she continues to be involved in sugar and starch biochemistry in wheat where she looks at how a T6P precursor can be used to induce changes in this biochemistry, improving resilience and increasing yield. Currently, Cara mainly works on exploring genetic and sugar biochemistry variation in drought tolerant wheat populations, in addition to using resurrection plant genes to improve crop yields and drought tolerance.