Dr Marta Grech-Baran from the Institute of Biochemistry and Biophysics of the Polish Academy of Sciences in Warsaw received the AgroBioTop scientific award, granted by the Biotechnology Committee of the Polish Academy of Sciences (PAN).

Dr Marta Grech-Baran received the AgroBioTop 2019 award for identifying the potato resistance gene to Y virus infection – said Prof. Maciej Żylicz, chairman of the jury of the AgroBioTop award and added that “this is the first, very important step to obtain plants resistant to Y viruses. These viruses (also called PVY) attack not only potato, but also tobacco and tomato crops, bringing huge losses in agriculture in the world.”

The AgroBioTop Award honors young scientists whose recognized achievements in the field of biotechnology have contributed to the development of agricultural sciences and make an outstanding contribution to the development of agriculture. This is an annual, individual EUR 5,000 cash prize awarded by an independent chapter appointed by the Biotechnology Committee of the Polish Academy of Sciences. The prize funded by Bayer.