carbohydrates for nutrition and health - Carbohydrate Competence ...

highlights of demand-driven carbohydrate research
carbohydrates for nutrition and health
WP 23 potato carbohydrate genetics
By cooperating with northern
Dr. Nick de Vetten
WP 23 cooperation:
Averis Valthermond BV, HZPC Holland b.v,
University of Groningen, Hanze University
Groningen (Institute for Life Science &
Technology)
universities we benefit from highly qualified people
Towards a healthier and sustainable society
In this project, research institutes and private partners doing research into the relationship
between the relevant genes and carbohydrate-related quality characteristics of potatoes
are brought together by CCC. Industry will use this knowledge, for example, to optimize
the cooking quality of potatoes or increase the starch content.
‘New research can lead to improvements in the quality of potatoes,’ says dr. Nick de Vetten,
research manager at Averis Valthermond BV. ‘Due to the broad collection of the starch
potato varieties, Averis Seeds aims for potato varieties with high yield, high starch and
protein content and a broad set of resistance. A better potato means higher margins for
our farmers and new markets to explore for AVEBE.’
Averis and HZPC do this in close collaboration with professor dr. Ritsert Jansen of the
department of Bioinformatics of the University of Groningen, and dr. ir. Jan-Peter Nap,
professor of Life Sciences at Hanze University Groningen. By cooperating with northern
universities, Averis benefits from meeting new highly qualified people.
Highly skilled personnel available
De Vetten: ‘Our company is constantly on the lookout for highly skilled personnel, and
they are hard to find. By partnering with the University of Groningen and Hanze University
Groningen we come into contact with students who follow internships with Averis. Hopefully
some of them will pursue their careers within our company.’
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