Community Meeting – Aberdeen 19-20 March 2026

Biofortification from Science to Society

A Two-Day In-Person Event

University of Aberdeen, Rowett Institute, Civic Rooms, Town House, Aberdeen AB101FY, Scotland, UK

Biofortification is a valuable solution to address some of the challenges facing our food system.

This conference funded by the Biofortification Hub and organised by the Rowett Institute aims to bring together scientists, business and third sector organisations involved in the effort to improve nutrition and public health.

• Two days in-person event with 74 participants, 23 talks and 19 posters covering a wide range of topics on biofortification, with an emphasis on showcasing opportunities, exciting UK science and industry participation / products.
• 5 invited plenary talks: Martin Warren (Quadram Institute), Luke Bell (University of Reading), Christine Bosch (University of Leeds), Cathie Martin (John Innes Centre) and Bhavani Shankar (University of Sheffield).
• 5 bursaries provided to students and Early Career Researchers (ECRs) to attend this event: B. Mogeni (Univ. Sheffield), KJ. Sartagoda (John Innes Centre, Norwich), J. Reboleira (Univ. of Reading), P.  Novakova (Twisted Orange Ltd) and I. Adekoya (NHS Lothian, Scotland).
• 11 projects funded by the Biofortification Hub since 2023 presented at the meeting.

Agenda for the Meeting “Biofortification from Science to Society” (19-20 March 2026)

• Day 1: 19 March 2026
  
  • 09:30-10:00 Registration and Welcome Breakfast
  • 10:00-10:10 Welcome and Agenda – Wendy Russell (Rowett Institute)
  • 10:10-10:20 Introduction to the BBSRC-funded Biofortification Hub – Martin Warren (Quadram Institute) – link to presentation [pdf]
    
    
• Session 1: Big Challenges in Biofortification (Plenary Session)
  • 10:20-11:00 Biofortification across the food system – Speaker tba
  • 11:00-11:40 Climate-Resilient Biofortification: Optimising Glucosinolate Profiles in Brassicales Under Environmental Stress – Luke Bell (University of Reading) – link to presentation [pdf]
  • 11:40-12:20 Biofortification for protein provision – Speaker tba 
    
    
• 12:20-13:20 Lunch and Networking / Posters
  
  
• Session 2: Biofortifying our Supply Chain
  • 13:20-13:35 Innovative solutions for nutrition security and sustainable food production – Madalina Neacsu / Scott Baxter (Rowett Institute / Pictish Worms)  – link to presentation [pdf]
  • 13:35-13:50 Grains with Gains – How to make wheat with increased iron content? – Adam Gicgier (John Innes Centre) – link to presentation [pdf]
  • 13:50-14:05 Production of lower carbon and healthier eggs – Alistair McBain / Wendy Russell (Duncan Farms / Rowett Institute)
  • 14:05-14:20 Bioaccessibility and bioavailability of zinc and magnesium from microgreens versus mature vegetables – Gladys Oluyemisi Latunde Dada (King’s College London)
  • 14:20-14:35 O3TOM: Omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids accumulating in tomatoes – Susana Silvester (Rothamsted Research) – link to presentation [pdf]
    
    
• 14:35-15:30 Coffee and Networking / Posters
  
  
• Session 3: New Biofortification Hub projects
  • 15:30-15:45 Enhancing iodine levels in tomato fruit through seaweed extract biofortification: Agronomic Optimisation and Human Sensory Evaluation – Peter Curtis (University of East Anglia) – link to presentation [pdf]
  • 15:45-16:00 Developing food products with iron-biofortified pea shoots – Janneke Balk (John Innes Centre) – link to presentation [pdf]
  • 16:00-16:15 Putting the “B” into non- and low-alcoholic beer – Helen Cockerton (University of Kent) – link to presentation [pdf]
  • 16:15-16:30 Vitamin D biofortification of pork: a route to commercialisation for targeted products – Kirsty Pourshahidi (Ulster University) – link to presentation [pdf]
    
    
• 16:30-16:40 Closing remarks – Wendy Russell (Rowett Institute)
  
  
• 18:00-late Dinner and Ceilidh (Beach Ballroom)
  
  
• Day 2: 20 March 2026
  
  
• Plenary:
  • 09:30-10:15 Vit D – The sunshine vitamin – Cathie Martin (John Innes Centre) – link to presentation [pdf]
    
    
• 10:15-10:45 Coffee:
  
  
• Session 4: Nutrition and Consumer Perception
  • 10:45-11:05 Nutritional challenges across the life course: Big challenges for biofortification to tackle nutrient deficiencies at different life stages – Alex Johnstone (University of Aberdeen)
  • 11:05-11:25 The Rise of Social Supermarkets: What they are, who they engage, and the potential role of biofortification – Anna Sweeting (University of East Anglia) – link to presentation [pdf]
  • 11:25-11:45 Incorporating the consumer voice within bioscience innovation; the Case of the ‘Sunshine Tomato – Tennessee Randall / Eleanor Bryant (University of Swansea) – link to presentation [pdf]
  • 11:45-12:00 Why does an unprocessed diet reduce energy intake? – Jeff Brunstrom (University of Bristol) – link to presentation [pdf]
    
    
• 12:00-13:00 Lunch and Networking / Posters
  
  
• Session 5: Reformulation and Regulation
  • 13:00-13:20 Plant genetics solutions for biofortification via micronutrient transport – Kelly Houston (International Barley Hub) – link to presentation [pdf]
  • 13:20-13:40 Biofortification: Policy & Regulation in Volatile Times – Colette Shortt (Food Observatory) – link to presentation [pdf]
  • 13:40-14:00 Improving the health of Scotland’s products and people through reformulation – Joanne Burns (Food and Drink Federation Scotland) – link to presentation [pdf]
  • 14:00-14:10 RMI-Connect: A new interactive platform to support work placement in biofortification – Philippe Vain (John Innes Centre / Quadram Institute) – link to presentation [pdf]
    
    
• Closing Keynote:
  • 14:10-15:00 The Global need for biofortification: equity, economics and enabling environments – Bhavani Shankar (University of Sheffield) – link to presentation [pdf]
    
    
• 15:00-15:30 Prizes, closing comments and acknowledgements – Martin Warren (Quadram Institute) / Wendy Russell (Rowett Institute)