October News: Miscellaneous

Launch of the UK Plant Sciences Federation on 23 Nov 2011

The UK has a reputation for world class research and development in the plant and crop sciences, and a rich diversity of research groups that reflect the importance of plants for the health and wealth of the nation. However there has been a growing need for a unified body within the UK that incorporates the vast range of plant science researchers, educators and industries. This is in part due to the grand challenges of food security and climate change, which shifts the research agenda and demands an inclusive, comprehensive dialogue across the plant and crop science community.
To address this need, the Society of Biology and a range of plant science stakeholders have come together to form the UK Plant Sciences Federation (UKPSF) as a special interest group of the Society. This exciting new initiative will create an inclusive central forum for UK plant scientists, provide a coordinated vision of plant and crop sciences across the UK, and to serve as 'one voice for UK plant science' to inform policy makers, funders and society.
The Society of Biology will launch the UK Plant Sciences Federation on Wednesday 23 November in London, with a keynote address by botanist and celebrated author, Dr Sandra Knapp from the Natural History Museum. Members of the CPPS Steering Group will be represented at the launch.

Maturing plans for EPSO 'Fascination of Plants Day’ activities in Cambridge

Topic 'the plants behind household objects'; input invited
Previous newsletters have included information on an EPSO 'Fascination of Plants Day' on Fri 18 May 2012. Representatives of the Botanic Garden, the Sainsbury Lab, the Dept of Plant Sciences, the Society of Biology and the CPPS Steering Group met on 15 Oct to discuss options for coordinated activities in Cambridge around that day.
Plans are as yet tentative; it was suggested to organise a day of 'drop-in' activities at the Botanic Garden on Saturday 19 May 2012 (rather than Fri 18 May, to capture larger audiences), and targeted primarily at families. The preferred theme was 'the plants behind household objects'.
Feedback and involvement from the wider CPPS community would be valuable – please email Beatrix Schlarb-Ridley at bgs21@cam.ac.uk with any comments, or if you would like to get involved in the planning process.

Assistant Editor required at JXB

The Journal of Experimental Botany (JXB) is a leading plant science journal publishing high quality primary research and review papers in plant sciences. The papers cover a range of disciplines from molecular and cellular physiology and biochemistry through whole plant physiology to community physiology and food security.
As Assistant Editor you will contribute imaginatively to the development of the Journal as part of the editorial team; in particular the Journal is seeking to improve the quality of service it provides to both its authors and readers, raise the profile of the content it publishes and continue its commercial success.
You should be educated to PhD level in plant science and have experience and understanding of the academic and peer review process and the complexities involved in the measurements of quality and success in academic publishing. An understanding of the significance of plant science and the ability to communicate this to different audiences is essential.
The JXB title is owned by the Society for Experimental Biology (SEB), therefore all profits directly or indirectly support the work of the SEB in "... increasing the influence of, Experimental Biology within the scientific community and Society."
For further information and to apply online, please visit: http://hr-jobs.lancs.ac.uk/Vacancy.aspx?ref=A235R.

October News: Funding

BBSRC Funding Call for Industrial Biotechnology and Bioenergy:

Generation of Hydrocarbons from Living Organisms
Application deadline: 11 Jan 2012, 16:00

BBSRC wish to encourage proposals that work towards developing novel or improved biological processes for the production and/or isolation of hydrocarbon-like products from biological feedstocks or living organisms.
Scientific objectives
* To develop novel or improved biological processes for the production and/or isolation of products from biological feedstocks or living organisms that have the potential to be used for the production of advanced biofuels, lubricants, platform chemicals, high value chemicals or their biological intermediates
* To take into consideration the energy efficiency, sustainability, environmental impacts and cost effectiveness of the biological process

For more information see www.bbsrc.ac.uk/funding/opportunities/2012/indbiotech-bioenergy-1.aspx.

October News: Events

Next CPPS Lecture

THU 3 Nov, 16:00-17:00 From Clone to Clinic- oilseed based bio-pharmaceutical production
Maurice Moloney (Director of Rothamsted Research)
Dept of Plant Sciences, Large Lecture Theatre, Cambridge CB2 3EA
Followed by networking over wine and nibbles- all welcome!

Abstract:
Recombinant human Insulin, including its analogues, is the largest volume protein pharmaceutical that is manufactured worldwide. It has a current market value in excess of $8 billion, with a demand that is growing due to increasing incidence of Type II diabetes worldwide and the improved detection of the condition in highly populated, but underserved countries. All commercial recombinant insulin is made in microorganisms, either in E. coli or yeast. Although the manufacturing process has been greatly streamlined over the past 20 years, the cost of goods (COGs) is still a significant factor in supplying the developing world with its necessary supply of Insulin. Furthermore, the capital cost of a conventional fermentation facility for Insulin is still a major disincentive for construction in undersupplied countries. Plants offer the possibility to meet these cost constraints in the production of Insulin and the construction of the necessary facilities. Plant-based production could decrease the COGs for Insulin by 40-50% and the capital cost of a facility by as much as 70%. We have used the oilseed plant Safflower as a platform for the expression of a recombinant proinsulin, which can be recovered inexpensively from the seeds using oilbody separation as a key step in the recovery and enrichment. This approach could allow inexpensive bulk production and purification under cGMP conditions. The plant-derived proinsulin is matured into Insulin chemically and biochemically identical to commercially available Insulin. We have furthermore shown in human clinical trials that plant-made insulin is bioequivalent to Humulin-R, a predominant form of insulin prescribed in N. America.

Feedstocks for Bioenergy: Seminars

InCrops Enterprise Hub and partner organisations are co-hosting a series of seminars on feedstocks for bioenergy to highlight opportunities in the sector and support supply chain development. The events are for energy producers, consultants, farmers, land owners, technology suppliers and other businesses in the supply chain. Registration is FREE.

'A look at perennial energy crops' - 11th November - 09:45 to 13:00 - Rothamsted Research, Harpenden, AL5 2JQ
InCrops, Anglia Farmers and Rothamsted Research host a seminar on perennial energy crops aimed at promoting opportunities in the bioenergy sector. The demand for biomass in the UK is expected to increase from the end of this year when the Renewable Heat Incentive scheme will become operational. Perennial energy crops, including willow, will be a major part of the solution to help meet the targets for renewable heat production.
At this half-day event:
· Learn about the agronomy of perennial energy crops;
· Find out about supply chain opportunities;
· Visit the research plots and the National Willow Collection hosted by Rothamsted Research;
· Network with fellow businesses and leading academic experts;
· Find out about FREE consultancy from the InCrops Enterprise Hub.
For more information visit the InCrops website at http://www.incropsproject.co.uk/events/51

Straw for energy - 12th December - Late afternoon - Honingham Thorpe, Norwich, NR9 5BZ
The value of straw for bioenergy production and increasing competition for agricultural residues could have an impact on soil quality and structure, requiring complex decisions as to the best use for biomass resources. InCrops and Anglia Farmers hosts the second in a series of bioenergy seminars.
At this twilight event:
· Find out about the demand for straw in bioenergy production;
· Learn about soil carbon & nutrient management and structure, with special reference to the removal of straw as an energy crop.
· Network with fellow businesses;
· Find out about FREE consultancy from the InCrops Enterprise Hub.
For more information visit the InCrops website at http://www.incropsproject.co.uk/events/52

Registration: to register for either or both events please contact Julia O'Rourke, InCrops Events Co-ordinator, on 01603 591 765 or email j.orourke@uea.ac.uk. These events are free to attend, places are limited.

Biofuels: ethical issues: 28 October

Cambridge Bioenergy Initiative / Nuffield Council on Bioethics event:

FRI 28 OCT, 14:00 -15:30
Biofuels: ethical issues
Dept of Plant Sciences, Large Lecture Theatre, Cambridge CB2 3EA

If you have missed the industry-focused discussion event on 1 Sept, here is another opportunity to hear and discuss the outcomes of the Nuffield Report:

To achieve sustainable economic growth, global society needs to wean itself off fossil resources. This in turn puts increased pressure on available biomass, land and water. In the rush for resources, ethical considerations are easily overlooked or given a low priority.

This April the Nuffield Council on Bioethics published its report on the ethical issues surrounding biofuels (Biofuels: ethical issues).The report, which includes recommendations for policy and practice, highlights that its conclusions are also applicable to other sectors which build on biomass as a key resource.

Varsha Jagadesham will be discussing the findings of the Council's report with the audience. The report can be downloaded from http://www.nuffieldbioethics.org/biofuels-0.

Sept News: Funding and Miscellaneous

Funding

Digest of General Funding Opportunities at Plantsci.org.uk

A useful digest of the latest funding opportunities relevant to plant sciences can be found at http://www.plantsci.org.uk/funding/opportunities/active.

Miscellaneous

Rothamsted Research granted approval to undertake scientific research of GM wheat

Rothamsted Research has been granted approval from ACRE (the Advisory Committee on Releases to the Environment) to undertake scientific research of GM wheat, modified to produce a pheromone to repel aphids, at the Rothamsted site.

For more details see http://www.rothamsted.bbsrc.ac.uk/Research/Centres/PressReleases.php.

'Algal research in the UK: a scoping study' published by BBSRC

An exploratory review of the current status of algal research in the UK has been published this month. The scoping study was commissioned by BBSRC to inform whether it should address fundamental research into the biology of algae in the context of a feedstock for energy and other products, and if so, how. The report reviews past and current activities and makes recommendations as to how the community might be structured to ensure a continuing strength in an international context.

For more details and links to the report see http://www.incropsproject.co.uk/news/121.

Sept News: Events

Event at NIAB’s Innovation Farm:

WEDS 19 OCT, 10:00-16:00 Fibrecrops: agronomy and end-uses

The workshop will explore the potential for novel uses of crop fibres and how new processing methods are opening up the market for these alternative fibre sources.
For further details and registration please visit http://www.innovationfarm.co.uk/.

Cambridge Bioenergy Initiative / Nuffield Council on Bioethics event:

FRI 28 OCT, 14:00 -15:30 Biofuels: ethical issues

Dept of Plant Sciences, Large Lecture Theatre, Cambridge CB2 3EA
If you have missed the industry-focused discussion event on 1 Sept, here is another opportunity to hear and discuss the outcomes of the Nuffield Report:

To achieve sustainable economic growth, global society needs to wean itself off fossil resources. This in turn puts increased pressure on available biomass, land and water. In the rush for resources, ethical considerations are easily overlooked or given a low priority.

This April the Nuffield Council on Bioethics published its report on the ethical issues surrounding biofuels (Biofuels: ethical issues).The report, which includes recommendations for policy and practice, highlights that its conclusions are also applicable to other sectors which build on biomass as a key resource.

Varsha Jagadesham will be discussing the findings of the Council's report with the audience. The report can be downloaded from http://www.nuffieldbioethics.org/biofuels-0.

ADVANCE NOTICE FOR YOUR DIARIES: upcoming CPPS Lectures

3 Nov – speaker Maurice Moloney (Rothamsted Research); 'From clone to clinic- oilseed based bio-pharmaceutical production

23 Feb – speaker Julian Ma (St George’s, University of London); ‘Molecular pharming’

Both lectures will take place at the Dept of Plant Sciences, Cambridge, 16:00-17:00, followed by networking over wine and nibbles.