Excellence in plant and microbial science
We directly address one of the great societal and economic challenges of our time: securing future food supplies using environmentally sustainable crop production
We undertake strategic research, crop plants including oilseed rape, pea and wheat, alongside the model species Arabidopsis thaliana. We plan and deliver this research with our industry collaborators to enable the development of the next generation of environmentally resilient high yielding crop varieties.
Our anticipated long term impacts are,
Examples of both planned research projects and our impacts can be found below.
Working with LettUs Grow and collaborators at the Quadram Institute, we have developed new approaches for the effective low-cost fortification of pea shoots (tender microgreens from pea plants) with the Recommended Daily Allowance of Vitamin B12.
Read about collaborative research provides a new source of vitamin b12We are working with Rothamsted Research to develop an oilseed rape (OSR) MAGIC (multi-parent advanced generation inter-cross) population
Read about magic : developing a community resource for oilseed rapeIn the UK, sugar beet is a break crop grown and processed into sugar. One of the biggest challenges faced by sugar beet growers is Virus Yellows disease.
Read about tackling virus yellows disease in sugar beetClimate change is challenging our ability to grow crops. We aim to overcome this in oilseed rape through research on yield instability.
Read about developing climate resilient oilseed rapeIncreasing wheat yield is vital to meeting future worldwide food requirements, because it is anticipated that we will need to produce 60% more wheat by 2050 if we are to meet the global demand
Read about improving grain size and shape in wheatDeveloping and testing hypotheses for how growth of the tissue and increase in cell number through division could be regulated
Read about understanding plant organ growthWe want to understand why plants take on the variety of shapes that they do. To do this requires a complete understanding of how genes control the physical properties of cells, enabling them to grow, change shape and divide, coping with the physical forces within the tissue
Read about computer software to investigate the mechanisms of plant developmentDiscussions are underway with the supply chain on our new fast-growing broccoli line
Read about fast growing broccoliTo explore new questions in plant biology, we require the most up-to-date technology available. Being at the forefront of technology development means that our scientists are experts in their field and they can share their knowledge and expertise to allow public opinion and government policy to be developed with the most accurate information available
Read about informing the debate on modern plant breedingThe International Undergraduate Summer School aims to provide undergraduate science students with an in-depth experience in a research intense environment.
Read about delivering scientific training through our international undergraduate summer schoolIn oilseed rape, there is an 18% increase in seed set and 20% increase in market value when plants are pollinated in the field by insects.
Read about characterising floral scent in oilseed rape to improve crop pollination and yield
