Norwich Research Park opens its doors to public to showcase Plants of the Future

A scientist working in the growth room in the crop transformation laboratory at John Innes Centre, where plant samples are kept to grow under very specific conditions (Image: Simon Litherland)

The aim of the Fascination of Plants events is to get as many people as possible around the world interested in plants and enthused about the importance of plant science for agriculture and the sustainable production of nutritious food, as well as for horticulture, forestry and the production of plant-based non-food products such as paper, timber, chemicals, energy and pharmaceuticals.

From 10am-4pm, plant researchers and scientists from The Sainsbury Laboratory, John Innes Centre, Earlham Institute and Quadram Institute will be presenting some of their findings and discoveries at a number of exhibitions at their premises. The exhibitions will be interactive with scientists on hand to show visitors how they use technology to learn more about plants.

The Earlham Institute will be demonstrating how technology they have helped to develop can read the DNA of bacteria and other organisms floating around in the air. The Sainsbury Laboratory will have a stand where visitors can act as plant doctors and diagnose the diseases affecting samples of fruit.

Josie Maidment and Shona Strachan teaching MSc students about global plant health at The Sainsbury Laboratory (Image: Peter van Esse)

The John Innes Centre will be illustrating how scientists are battling climate change in a bid to save our food supplies by developing new crops with improved drought and flood resistance through three key activities for visitors to take part in. And at the Quadram Institute stand, visitors will be able to learn more about hydroponics and have a go at painting with vegetables.

There will be plenty of opportunities for children to get involved in some hands-on activities. Seedlings will be given away for children to take home and grow. And people will be able to explore Norwich Research Park to learn more about the interesting trees there on a self-guided tour.

Parking is free and at Centrum the café will be open serving hot and cold drinks, snacks, sandwiches and pastries.

A plate showing the different stages of citrus cells transformation. This is the method used to grow new plants from plant cells that have been modified in the laboratory (Image: Phil Robinson)

Prof Nick Talbot, executive director of The Sainsbury Laboratory, said: “Plants have an incredible potential to solve many of the global challenges we face today, particularly issues such as food security and climate change. By better understanding them we can develop techniques to make crops with higher yields and disease resistance - growing healthier plants for a healthier planet.

"The scientists at our laboratory are incredibly passionate about plants and can’t wait to inspire more people at this event, especially children, to get curious about the role plants can play in their lives.”

To attend, you just need to register here.

Prof Anne Osbourn OBE FRS of the John Innes Centre (Image: John Innes Centre)

International recognition for eminent John Innes Centre scientist

Prof Anne Osbourn OBE FRS of the John Innes Centre at Norwich Research Park has been elected as an international member of the United States (US) National Academy of Sciences (NAS), one of the US’s highest honours for scientists, engineers and health professionals.

Members are elected in recognition of their distinguished and continuing achievements in original research. Prof Osbourn’s research, which focusses on plant natural product biosynthesis, has opened up new pathways to chemistry of agronomic and medicinal importance.

Prof Osbourn said: “I am delighted to have been elected to the National Academy of Sciences. It is a great honour to be recognised in this way by my friends and colleagues in the US scientific community.”

Prof Osbourn’s discovery that biosynthetic pathways are organised in clusters in plant genomes like ‘beads on a string’ has accelerated the ability to find new biological pathways and chemistries of potential importance for the development of drugs and other useful compounds.

Professor Osbourn is a celebrated science communicator and poet, and is the founder of the Science, Art and Writing (SAW) Trust. In 2019 she was awarded an OBE for services to plant science and was elected as a Fellow of the Royal Society.

Prof Dale Sanders, director, the John Innes Centre, said: “I am thrilled that Anne has been elected as an international member of the US National Academy of Sciences. This is a remarkable honour that recognises the huge research contributions that Anne has made during her career.”