Birgitte Skadhauge

Vice President, Adj. Prof.

Carlsberg Research Laboratory

Birgitte Skadhauge completed her studies (M. Sc degree) at the Royal and Veterinary Agricultural University, Copenhagen in 1992. This was followed by a Ph.D. degree in biochemistry and genetics at the Carlsberg Laboratory in Copenhagen (1993-1996). Since 2003 she has been responsible for Carlsberg Raw Material Research, and since 2011 Director for Applied Research activities in Carlsberg, including Raw materials, Yeast, Ingredients and Brewing Technology and sustainability in 2012 she was appointed Honorary Adjunct Professor at Århus University. Since 2014 she held the position as Vice President for Carlsberg Research Laboratory and Baltika Research and she is the Founder of Traitomics.

She is member of several scientific advisory boards and committees, appointed member of e.g. ‘Danish Science and Innovation Political Counsel’ (Ministry for Science and Innovation); Danish Industry, Committee for Research, Innovation and Education; Board Member for Danish Malting Group A/S; DMG (2008-2016), Denmark and DMG Poland (2008-2016),  Board member in Sejet Plant Breeding I/S, Board member in “Association for Danish Variety Owners”, Board member in Scandinavian Brewing School, Board member in Carlsberg’s Bequest for Brewer J.C. Jacobsen, advisory board member at DTU, Bioengineering, Board member in Secobra Recherche (France).

Abstract

Cereals were some of the first crops to be domesticated by humans. Today, cereals represent the biggest starch source in the world and are the primary raw material for food and feed. Modern breeding techniques produced high yielding varieties, but were based on a limited genetic background, which resulted in significant loss of genetic diversity. This could potentially result in major challenges due to recent climate changes and altered growing conditions. It is estimated that an increased global temperature will lead to dramatic loss in plant productivity in many parts of the world.

The barley breeding effort of the Carlsberg Research Laboratory combines decades of expertise to provide new varieties with unique quality and sustainability traits such as e.g. drought tolerance. Combining traditional breeding, genome data and a new method for screening genetics variants, we have radically shortened the development time of varieties with new traits. This has already resulted in the identification of several hundred genetic variants related to climate, sustainability, productivity and brewing quality. This accelerated approach can easily be applied for the development of other crops in both developing and matured markets around the globe, and help securing a sustainable supply of food and other agricultural products.

Media release: Meet The Plant Scientists Preventing A Global Beer Shortage