Dr Olena Doran in the School of Clinical Veterinary Science (Division of Farm Animal Science) has won the award for the best oral presentation in the Genetics Commission at the European Association for Animal Production (EAAP) meeting in Antalya, Turkey.

Dr Doran’s paper was entitled ‘Functional analysis of the pig CYP2E1 promoter and identification of the transcription factors required for CYP2E1 expression’.

About 15 per cent of male pigs produce an unpleasant odour in pork, often known as ‘boar taint’, usually caused by high levels of androstenone (a steroid) or skatole. The taint has a genetic origin, and Dr Doran's work provides an understanding of the basis for this. Most EU countries (not Britain) castrate male pigs, but this is coming under increasing pressure on animal welfare grounds. A genetic test for boar taint would allow many uncastrated pigs to be used for pork production, without the risk of taint.