Don Grierson (geneticist) facts for kids

Don Grierson is a British geneticist. He is a professor who has retired from the University of Nottingham. He is known for his important work on how plants grow and ripen.

Learning and Early Career

Don Grierson studied biology at the University of East Anglia. He finished his first degree in 1967. After working for a short time, he went on to get his PhD in Plant Science. He earned this advanced degree from the University of Edinburgh in 1972. His research focused on how a type of bean, called the mung bean, develops its leaves.

Research and Discoveries

Professor Grierson worked at the University of Nottingham for over 40 years. He became a leader in science there. He even helped start the School of Biosciences. Later, he became a leader in charge of all research at the university.

Plant Genes and Ripening

Professor Grierson made many important discoveries about plants. He found several genes in tomatoes. He studied how these genes help tomatoes ripen. He also found and studied genes for something called ACC oxidase (ACO). He showed that ACO helps create a plant hormone called ethylene. This hormone is very important for fruit ripening.

Genetic Engineering Breakthroughs

Professor Grierson was one of the first scientists to "silence" plant genes. This means he could turn off specific genes in transgenic plants. He did this using special techniques in the late 1980s.

In the 1990s, he helped create a special genetically modified tomato. This tomato ripened more slowly than regular tomatoes. A tomato purée made from these tomatoes was the first genetically modified food sold in the UK. This was a big step in biotechnology.

Awards and Recognition

Don Grierson has received many awards for his scientific work.

• In 1985, he became a fellow of the Institute of Biology.
• In 1990, he won a research medal for his great work in agriculture.
• In 2000, he was given the Order of the British Empire (OBE). This award was for his important contributions to understanding plant genes.
• In 2001, he received the Bertebos Prize. This award recognized his groundbreaking research in modern plant biotechnology.

Today, Professor Grierson is an emeritus professor at Nottingham. This means he has retired but is still connected to the university. He also works part-time as a professor at Zhejiang University in China. In 2017, he was chosen as a foreign member of the Chinese Academy of Engineering.

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