Peter M. Bramley is a British biochemist and emeritus professor of biochemistry at Royal Holloway, University of London, where he was the Head of the School of Biological Sciences from 2006 to 2011. His research focuses on the biosynthesis of

carotenoids Carotenoids (), also called tetraterpenoids, are yellow, orange, and red organic pigments that are produced by plants and algae, as well as several bacteria, and fungi. Carotenoids give the characteristic color to pumpkins, carrots, parsnips, co ...

in plants and microorganisms Bramley was educated at Long Eaton Grammar School and the University College of Wales Aberystwyth, where he graduated with a BSc in biochemistry (1969) and later obtained a PhD. He was appointed lecturer in biochemistry at Royal Holloway in 1972, professor of biochemistry in 1996, and remained there throughout his career. For his PhD he studied carotenoid formation in mutants of Phycomyces blakesleeanus, developing cell extracts for in vitro assays of enzyme activities. These cell free systems facilitated investigations on the mode of action of bleaching herbicides that inhibit carotenoid formation. Since the 1990s he has focused on the biosynthesis of carotenoids and other isoprenoids in higher plants, particularly tomato. This research led to tomato lines with elevated and altered carotenoids. His laboratory was the first to produce a

GM tomato A genetically modified tomato, or transgenic tomato, is a tomato that has had its genes modified, using genetic engineering. The first trial genetically modified food was a tomato engineered to have a longer shelf life (the Flavr Savr), which was ...

with elevated levels of β–carotene (provitamin A). His work on the regulation of β–carotene formation established the advantage of using a single bacterial gene, rather than multiple plant desaturases, in the modification of plants to produce

lycopene Lycopene is an organic compound classified as a tetraterpene and a carotene. Lycopene (from the neo-Latin '' Lycopersicum'', the tomato species) is a bright red carotenoid hydrocarbon found in tomatoes and other red fruits and vegetables. Occu ...

. This discovery was instrumental for the development of

Golden Rice Golden rice is a variety of rice (''Oryza sativa'') produced through genetic engineering to biosynthesize beta-carotene, a precursor of vitamin A, in the edible parts of the rice. It is intended to produce a fortified food to be grown and cons ...

, a type of genetically modified rice that can be used to alleviate

vitamin A deficiency Vitamin A deficiency (VAD) or hypovitaminosis A is a lack of vitamin A in blood and tissues. It is common in poorer countries, especially among children and women of reproductive age, but is rarely seen in more developed countries. Nyctalopia (ni ...

. His laboratory has also developed methods to identify and quantity genetically modified proteins in foods, the presence of mechanically recovered meat in meat products and the identification of the animal species in processed foods.

References

External links

Official website Bramley's publications
from

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{{DEFAULTSORT:Bramley, Peter British biochemists 1948 births Living people Academics of Royal Holloway, University of London Alumni of Aberystwyth University