Wheat's lost gene helps nutrition

BBC NEWS reports: "Turning on a gene found in wheat could boost levels of protein, iron and zinc, scientists have discovered.

The gene occurs naturally in wheat, but has largely been silenced during the evolution of domestic varieties.

Researchers found evidence that turning it back on could raise levels of the nutrients in wheat grains.

Writing in the journal Science, they suggest that new varieties with a fully functioning gene can be created through cross-breeding with wild wheat."

Related link: Science Magazine article

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