June Newsletter

Events

NIAB Innovation Farm:
Key Challenge event – Growing whatever the weather 26 Jun
Investigating the impact of unpredictable weather events and warming climate on water availability – floods and drought – and pests and diseases in crop plants.
Key Challenge event – Bio-fortification and dietary choice 2 Jul
The role of plant genetic innovation in providing a varied diet and improving nutrition including enhanced health benefits and improved flavours. Can targeted probiotic crops really make a difference to the health of the nation?
Further information

JIC: Speed dating with scientists 10 Jul, 18:30
Open to the Public
Further information

News

JIC: Plants do sums to get through the night New research shows that to prevent starvation at night, plants perform accurate arithmetic division. The calculation allows them to use up their starch reserves at a constant rate so that they run out almost precisely at dawn.

Further information

RRes: Rt. Hon. Owen Paterson backs a science and evidence-led discussion on GM
The Rt Hon. Owen Paterson, Secretary of State for Food, Environment and Rural Affairs chose Rothamsted Research in Hertfordshire to deliver a major speech on 20 June on the future of GM crops and biotechnology in agriculture.
Further information

Plant breeder KWS is launching its new potato business to UK merchants, trade and growers. The move follows the establishment of KWS Potato BV at Emmeloord in the Netherlands a year ago last April.
Further information

BBSRC is major partner in new €15M Europe-wide synthetic biology funding
BBSRC is contributing €3M as a major partner in a new Europe-wide call for research projects in Synthetic Biology, the first from the Synthetic Biology ERA-NET (ERASynBio).
Further information

Red oilseed rape signals STOP! to pollen beetle infestation Rothamsted Research scientists have shown that a change in the petal colour of oilseed rape from yellow to red can result in a significant reduction on the pollen beetle infestation.
Further information

Unkempt land could benefit farmers
Parts of the farm landscape that are overgrown are more important in supporting wildlife than they first appear, according to new research published in Ecology Letters.
Further information

Dr Tim Brears has been appointed chairman of the Institute of Food Research. Dr Brears is chief executive of Xention Limited, a venture-capital-funded biopharmaceutical company.
Further information

Jobs and Studentships

Department of Plant Sciences
Research Group Leader, Sainsbury Laboratory, Cambridge University
Further information

JIC
Research Assistant £22,500 - £23,800 16 Jul
Research Assistant £28,100 - £31,300 2 Jul & 7Jul
Further information

KWS
Application For Temporary Employment 2013 Currently recruiting for September 2013 only
Further information

RAGT Seeds Ltd
Cereal Geneticist 9 Jul
Liaison with breeders and genotyping team to identify opportunities and solutions for genome-enhanced cereal breeding
Genetic mapping and analysis including QTL, AG, GS approaches
Liaison with internal and external bioinformatics and research groups
Interviews will be held on: Wed 17 July 2013 Telephone: 01799 533707 Email: nmatthews@ragt.fr
Further information

RRes
Post-Doctoral Research Scientist 20 Jul
The post holder will contribute to the concluding phase of a running project entitled "Impact and mitigation of emergent diseases on major UK insect pollinators" which is part of the Insect Pollinator Initiative (funding administered by BBSRC) and is collaborative with five leading laboratories.
Research Assistant 10 Jul Research Technician 7 Jul
Further information

NIAB Innovation Farm
The Colour of Fashion - Specialist Consultancy Opportunity 5 Jul
Consultant required to deliver 'The Colour of Fashion - NIAB Innovation Farm workshop on dye processes and practice for fashion SMEs'
NIAB Innovation Farm are looking for experienced consultants to develop and deliver a full day workshop and a series of one-to-one sessions for fashion SMEs. The workshop will explore the environmental impacts of synthetic dyes and industrial dye processes and offer a practical introduction to natural alternatives and artisan dyeing techniques. The workshop will also offer an introduction to a range of plants from which dyes can be derived. The following areas should be covered and content must be relevant to the needs and capacity of micro businesses.
Further information

Limagrain
Wheat Trials Officer 10 Jul
Activities include the preparation, drilling, field assessment, harvest, sampling and quality assessment of potential new wheat varieties.
Further information

Vinovva (Sweden) Mobility for Growth
The Mobility for Growth programme targets experienced researchers who have a doctorate or at least four years’ full-time equivalent research experience and who are interested in mobility as a career development option.
The programme duration is from 2012 to at least 2017 and there is currently an overall budget of EUR 35 million, of which EUR 10 million is co-funding from Marie Curie Actions (European Commission).
Further information

Funding

BBSRC
Tree Health and Plant Biosecurity Initiative - phase 2
A Living with Environmental Change (LWEC) initiative 2 Jul
This initiative will provide a commitment of up to £9M over the next few years to support strategic research in this area under the auspices of the Living With Environmental Change Partnership.
Further information

TSB
Nutrition for life - providing safe and healthy foods 3 Jul
The aim of this competition is to encourage innovative technologies and processes, to ensure that what we eat and drink can be made as safe and healthy as possible. Projects must be business-led and collaborative.
Further information

May newsletter

EVENTS NIAB Innovation Farm Masterclasses for SMEs  Financial management for early-stage businesses, 5 June Learn basic principles with a particular emphasis on cash flow, understanding financial statements, account systems, tax and filing returns. Growing your business through effective marketing and communications - Intermediate, 10  June Securing suitable funding, 18 June This practical and interactive course will help you understand the pros and cons of different kinds of finance, understand how to identify sources of finance, and secure funds by submitting compelling applications for funding. Key Challenge event – Growing whatever the weather, 26 June Investigating the impact of unpredictable weather events and warming climate on water availability – floods and drought – and pests and diseases in crop plants. Further information (including July and August Masterclass dates) -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Society of Chemical Industry:  SCI Young Researchers in Agrisciences 2013, 2 July University of Reading, Whiteknights Campus, Reading Crop Production, Protection, Utilisation This event is for early career scientists working in biological, chemical, environmental and other relevant sciences and all interested in learning about progress and meeting new talent in agrisciences. CPPS Members are eligible for a discount. Early Bird Fees before 2 June: £29 SCI/CPPS Members Standard Fees after 2 June: £45 SCI/CPPS Members Further information or www.soci.org/events -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ADAS Boxworth Open Day: 5 June, 12-4pm Battlegate Road, Boxworth, CB23 4NN Meet the experts and find out about: • Weed management options for wheat & OSR • Benefits of cover crops for black-grass control • Herbicide resistance: grasses and broad-leaved weeds • Disease control in wheat and oilseed rape • Control of weeds, pests & diseases for horticulture • Repairing damaged soils • Managing thin/backward crops • The Yield Enhancement Network – competing to increase yields Further information -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- JIC EMBO Practical Course: ‘Multi-level Modelling of Morphogenesis’ 14-26 July Main Course Objective: Understanding the multi-level nature and feedbacks involved in biological development requires an integrated, systems biology approach. Target Audience: This practical course is aimed at experimental biologists with an interest to understand and explore how the complexity of biological systems can be dealt with within a mathematical or computational framework, *and* at computationally and mathematically oriented students interested in learning leading-edge computational techniques that can be applied to gain insights in developmental biology. Please register online at: https://www.conference-service.com/pc13-45/welcome.cgi Deadline for registrations: 31 May Further information -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Short Course – Water Security for Policy Makers and Practitioners, 10-14 June, UEA, Norwich, UK The course is designed for entry and mid-level water and development policy-makers and professionals in government, donor, NGO or implementing agencies, environmental journalists, consultants and activists wishing to take their knowledge of water resources further. For further information and to apply please follow the link below  or contact Sarah Gore on devco.train@uea.ac.uk. Cost: £1500 including all tuition and B&B accommodation from Sunday 9 June. Further information -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- CUEN Annual Energy Conference on SMART CITIES AND SMART ENERGY 18 June Centre for Mathematical Sciences, University of Cambridge Throughout the day, distinguished speakers will address the challenges and potentials regarding our future electricity and energy system and will engage in discussions with the audience. In four sessions the conference will focus on smart cities, urban planning, smart materials, energy storage and smart grids. The event is also intended for people with a general interest in energy, opening up a discussion between different points of view on the topics of smart cities and smart energy. Register through EventBrite - All Welcome Further information  -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Organic Research Centre Wakelyns Agroforestry Open Day 26 June Agro-ecology: Science and Practice for Sustainable Farming Metfield Lane, Fressingield, Eye, Suffolk, IP21 5SD Experts will offer challenging views on the use of energy in society and agriculture, showing how the application of agro-ecology to crop production can improve energy balances while maintaining biodiversity in agricultural systems, Cost: £30 + VAT per person including lunch and refreshments Further information --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

NEWS BBSRC survey: views on research areas and technological developments for the next 5-10 years Please provide your thoughts by taking part in the short survey by 3 June Survey: The next big things in bioscience As part of its long-term strategic planning, BBSRC is seeking your views on the research areas and technological developments which will be most exciting and important in bioscience over the next 5-10 years. Ideas put forward through this exercise will be discussed by members of BBSRC's governing Council and wider strategic advisory network as part of a workshop to be held at the beginning of June 2013. Outcomes will help inform BBSRC's long-term planning, including input to future Government Spending Reviews. Anyone is welcome to respond, but BBSRC is particularly keen to gather input from PhD students and post-doctoral researchers. Further information -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- National Farm Pollinator Survey Scientist Volunteers needed to help farm visitors become citizen scientists! Open Farm Sunday 9 June Can you help? Volunteer scientists are needed to help with the pollinator survey on selected farms on this years’ Open Farm Sunday. The main focus will be to: 1.     Conduct a survey in the morning and in the afternoon – as a scientific dataset 2.     Raise awareness of the Pollinator Survey at the event and encourage visitors to take part 3.     Act as an on-site expert in order to smooth the way and inspire a new generation of scientists  The aim is for the public to spot and record on a survey form the pollinators that visit flowers on a farm. By taking part in the Pollinator Survey the visitors will learn about the vital role insects can play in pollination and many of the foods they enjoy every day.  The large-scale dataset will provide a unique resource for exploring relationships between insect abundance and land use and demonstrates the value of flowering field margins and other non-crop habitats on farms. For further information and to offer your help and support, please contact: Candace Robb or Annabel Shackleton Email:  openfarmsunday@leafuk.org Tel:  024 7641 3911 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- BBSRC Join the bioenergy discussion  BBSRC has launched a new toolkit to encourage researchers and the general public to engage in a national conversation about bioenergy. The Bioenergy Dialogue Toolkit provides a range of resources including a 'Democs' bioenergy game, potential future scenarios, and guidelines to help people plan and run dialogue events this summer. An event will be run in Cambridge on 8 June 2013, 2pm-4pm - (venue to be confirmed, more information will be sent shortly) Further information --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

JOBS and Studentships Department of Plant Sciences Research Group Leader, Sainsbury Laboratory, Cambridge University Further information --------------------------------------------------------------------------------- NIAB Trials Officer 4 Month Vacancy, 31 May Further information ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------- JIC Post Doctroral Researcher, 10 June Metabolic Biology: Towards the synthetic terpenome - Making new metabolic pathways using synthetic biology approaches Further information --------------------------------------------------------------------------------- KWS KWS are recruiting for summer vacation work placements (Harvest and Production Assistants) Further information --------------------------------------------------------------------------------- RRes Enterprise Campus Project Director, 28 May Further information ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------- UEA Applications are now open for 2013/14: MSc Water Security and International Development at the University of East Anglia The degree is the flagship of the UEA Water Security Research Centre. The 12-month MSc prepares students for employment opportunities with non-governmental organisations, government aid agencies, and multilateral organisations. Please apply online, or for queries and informal discussion, contact Mark Zeitoun at M.Zeitoun@uea.ac.uk or tel: +44 (0)1603 593232. Further information ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------

FUNDING The Technology Strategy Board's (TSB) £8.5 million Nutrition for Life competition is now open. This competition will fund R&D projects which stimulate innovation in the food and drink sector with an emphasis on providing healthy and safe foods. Competition Scope: The call includes both Feasibility and Collaborative R&D projects within the following scope; * Integrating technologies to assist nutrient absorption * Nutrient regulation and delivery * Novel and healthier foods * Safety, authenticity and traceability * Production and Processing of food/nutrients To find more about the scope of the competition, view this video from Nick Bassett (Lead Technologist, Technology Strategy Board) Register for the competition: Providing Safe and Healthy Foods Nutrition for Life Feasibility Studies (£50k-100k, 6 - 12 month projects) Nutrition for Life Collaborative R&D (£250k to £1m, 1 - 3 year projects)  Further information -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- BBSRC calls: Modular Training Partnerships Application deadline: 11 July --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

News & Funding: Jan 2013

News highlights

New PVR trademark launched to promote plant breeding and seed innovation.

New PVR trademark launched to promote plant breeding and seed innovation A new information campaign to highlight the critical role of plant breeding innovation and quality seed moved a step closer when participating seed companies and plant breeders unveiled the new EU-registered PVR trademark for the first time at the LAMMA event in Lincolnshire.

Initiated jointly by BSPB and AIC on behalf of the UK plant breeding and seeds sector, the campaign will focus on the importance of Plant Variety Rights (PVR) as a unique form of intellectual property to protect, stimulate and reward progress in crop improvement.

The PVR trademark will soon start appearing across the seed industry on seed bags, stationery, invoices, websites, variety boards and marketing material. Supporting information about Plant Variety Rights, plant breeding and seed production will be provided through a dedicated campaign website and literature, as part of a wider drive to highlight the vital contribution of our plant breeding and seeds sector.

BSPB chief executive Dr Penny Maplestone said: “Access to genetic innovation, delivered to the market through high-performing varieties and quality seed, is the foundation for successful crop production. Faced with the global challenges of food security, climate change and sustainable development, recent reports from Foresight and the Royal Society have highlighted the urgent need for continued progress in crop genetic improvement as the single most important factor in improving the yield, climate resilience and production efficiency of our major food crops.”

“The PVR campaign will highlight the critical role of IP protection in supporting a dedicated process of investment, innovation and independent evaluation within the plant breeding and seeds sector, and the enormous benefits this brings to farmers, food producers and their customers.”

AIC Seed Sector chairman Paul Taylor said: “Companies and organisations licensed to use the trademark are demonstrating their commitment to providing the best product, backed by science and delivered to the market through proven testing procedures. Users of the trademark are investors in R&D, committed to supplying high quality, innovative products to their customers.”

“The PVR trademark will serve as a prominent reminder of the research, innovation and independent evaluation behind each new variety and bag of purchased seed, and the need for continued investment in plant breeding to support a competitive farming industry and a dynamic value chain.”

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Be part of a national public engagement project on Bioenergy.

Be part of a national public engagement project BBSRC is running a Bioenergy Public Dialogue workshop at the Dana Centre in London on the 24th January and there is an opportunity for you to take part.

From 1400 to 1800 you will take part in an interactive workshop with other researchers that will equip you with the skills needed to run public engagement events. After a supper, members of the public will arrive and, with close coaching from engagement experts, you will be able to put into practice what you have learnt. BBSRC will cover travel expenses and overnight accommodation. This initiative is part of a for a national public dialogue project for which BBSRC has successfully secured funding from BIS, through Sciencewise. The dialogue will explore public views around bioenergy through a series of events around the country during 2013, based on an ‘engagement toolkit’. The outcomes from those discussion events will help inform BBSRC policy and strategy.

Although some events will be run by BBSRC, the full potential of the project will only be reached with your involvement and we would like to encourage you and other bioenergy researchers to run you own events. The workshop is an ideal opportunity to develop your public engagement skills, to help you learn about planning a dialogue event, and to try out the toolkit at the evening session at the Dana Cafe.

To register to attend this event or if you have any queries, please contact Marta.Entradas@bbsrc.ac.uk or Emma.Longridge@bbsrc.ac.uk, or phone Marta on 01793 413325.

How should UK STEM teaching and learning inspire the thinkers, doers, innovators and leaders of the future?

The answer to this question is important to all of us, especially given the decisions still to be made around the secondary National Curriculum. But we want to know what you think! The National Science Learning Centre, National STEM Centre and EdComs are working together to publish a collection of views from contributors across education and industry. The aim is to give practitioners, employers and key thinkers a platform to express their views, to generate debate and to influence future policy and practice in the delivery of STEM teaching and learning.

There are two main ways to contribute:
1. Send an email with your thoughts and experiences to: daniel.clay@edcoms.co.uk
2. Join the discussion on Twitter: #STEMlearning We will be engaging in discussions and compiling responses over the next four weeks. This is your chance to have your say.

Funding Opportunities

· BBSRC Excellence with impact awards (Thursday, 31 January)
The Excellence with Impact competition aims to recognise institutions that can develop and successfully deliver a vision for maximising impact, alongside a relevant institution-wide culture change. The winning organisation will receive an award of £0.5M and there will be a further £0.5M available to be awarded at judges' discretion to highly commended runners up.
Further details

· The Community Resource for Wheat Transformation application process is now open. (Thursday, 31 January)
This is a resource for UK plant scientists to apply for their genes to be transformed into wheat free of charge, funded by the BBSRC’s Biological and Bioinformatic Resources fund (BBR). There is an online application process and further details via the following link http://www.niab.com/transgenic. Enquiries should be directed to croptransformation@niab.com in the first instance.

News: December

The UK Plant Sciences Federation (UKPSF)

is conducting a survey of the UK plant science community to gather views on the major challenges for this sector, and its current capacity for meeting these challenges. Survey participants may be involved in research, industry, education, outreach, policy, or end-users; however they must work in the UK or be associated with a UK-based organisation.
Don’t miss the opportunity to voice your views and help shape UK policy and funding strategy in support of plant sciences: The survey can be completed here: https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/UKPlantSci before 18 January 2013.

ADAS new projects:

Members of CPPS may be interested in a number of projects on nutrition of horticultural crops funded by HDC.

The first is to look at the nitrogen and phosphorus nutrition of sweet corn, a high value crop, much of which is grown on the south coast of England. This is a two year project starting in Spring 2013. The work was actually due to start a year earlier, but had to be deferred due to the very wet weather in the spring of 2012. We have also won a project to look at nitrogen nutrition of over wintering leeks, where growers perceive there is demand for this major nutrient by the crops in the winter. Leeks are unusual in that unlike most of the other crops we work with, they accumulate much of their biomass during the winter when days are short and light levels low. These projects build on the success of our recent work on quantifying nitrogen requirements of field vegetable crops, and particularly understanding the factors influencing nitrate accumulation in leafy salad crops. All of these projects have been managed from ADAS Boxworth. Contact for further information: Richard Weightman (Richard.Weightman@adas.co.uk)

Staff changes at ADAS:

Goodbye: To Zoe Rutterford who has worked with ADAS since 2010. Many of you will know Zoe, who formerly being a PhD student with NIAB and the Department of Plant Sciences, is going to return to managing the family farm, from the start of 2013. We wish Zoe all the best in her future career.

And hello: ADAS has recently taken on another round of graduate trainees who will undertake a two year period of training, leading to consultant positions. Key staff based at Boxworth and whose expertise may be of interest to CCPS members include:

• Rebecca Carter; working in the Agriculture and Farming Systems sector. Prior to joining ADAS Becky studied Animal Science with ‘Accreditation in Nutrition’ at the University of Nottingham and was the secretary of the Agricultural Society from 2011-2012.
• Amy Gimson; working in the Sustainable Food and Farming sector. Before joining the graduate scheme, Amy was involved in a HGCA bursary project investigating height and yield genes in winter wheat within the Crop Physiology team. Her degree in Plant Sciences from the University of Cambridge involved a particular focus of the vitamin requirements of various algae for biofuels.
• Tim Boor; joins the Plant Pathology team, having just completed a BSc in Crop Science at the University of Nottingham, Sutton Bonington. Although coming to ADAS straight from university, Tim has completed a range of placements, ranging from work in the logistics department of a large seed company based in Lincolnshire, as well as for Sentry Farms.
• Elizabeth Hudson has joined the Crop Physiology team. She comes to ADAS after completing her Natural Sciences Degree in Biology and Chemistry from Durham University. Liz is working on a range of projects looking at crop nutrition, utilisation and use of co-products from the biofuels industry.
• Lizzie Dobson; is part of the Horticulture sector team and is also based at our Boxworth Office. At university she studied Natural Sciences at the University of Cambridge, specialising in plant science and taking a particular interest in plant physiology and water relations. Lizzie will be focusing on protected edible crops.
• Sarah Mayne; working as a Crop Pathologist at Boxworth, she has previous experience working for ADAS as part of the Field Team which she enjoyed greatly. Prior to this Sarah carried out conservation work both in the UK and USA dealing with land management & invasive weed removal after graduating from Hertford College, Oxford with a degree in Biological Sciences.

A one-stop-shop for plant science questions:

From today people will be able to question researchers directly on any aspect of plant science that comes up in public discussion, from one simple portal. http://www.senseaboutscience.org/pages/plant-science-expert-panel.html

Plant research is central to decisions about future energy, land use, wildlife, environmental protection, pest problems, nutrition and food safety. People care a lot about these subjects but get frustrated by conflicting stories and research reports and find that information is rarely in a form that responds to their questions. Now, leading research institutions and learned societies across the UK have come together to make themselves available in a public panel, where people can put down questions and opinions for response.
Panel members have been nominated by: BBSRC, the Biochemical Society, Genetics Society, James Hutton Institute, John Innes Centre, Rothamsted Research, Society of Biology, Society for Experimental Biology, National Farmers Union, Society for General Microbiology, UK Plant Sciences Federation and Royal Horticultural Society. Questions can be sent via Twitter: @senseaboutsci #plantsci, or email: plantsci@senseaboutscience.org
Contact: Frances Downey, 020 7490 9590 FDowney@senseaboutscience.org.

News: November

Partner News

NIAB: Funding opens up NIAB wheat transformation resource to plant research community

NIAB has been awarded £620,000 to provide a community resource for wheat transformation.
The five-year project is funded by the BBSRC’s Biological and Bioinformatic Resources fund (BBR) and will give UK plant scientists free access to the most efficient public wheat transformation system currently available anywhere in the world.
Further information

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JIC: Plant interaction with friendly bacteria gives pathogens their break

In two papers to be published in Current Biology, researchers from JIC and The Sainsbury Laboratory on the Norwich Research Park, and Rothamsted Research and the University of York identify genes that help plants interact with microbes in the soil.
Further information

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RRes: Rothamsted Wheat Trial: Second generation GM technology to emulate natural plant defence mechanisms

Scientists from Rothamsted Research are conducting a controlled experiment, combining modern genetic engineering with their knowledge of natural plant defences to test whether wheat that can repel aphid attack works in the field.
Further information

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ADAS: Testing the concept of sustainable intensification

The project on sustainable intensification (SI) was carried out by John Elliott of ADAS and Professor Les Firbank. It was commissioned by the inter-agency Land Use Policy Group (LUPG), a UK network of statutory environment and conservation agencies interested in the interplay between farming and the environment within the context of the concept of ecosystem services.
The LUPG SI project will contribute to the evidence base on SI and should help to inform the development of policy.
Further information

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ADAS: Farmer engagement is key to improving water quality

Catchment management specialist David Johnson says water companies can make cost-effective improvements to water quality by targeted engagement with farmers to reduce diffuse pollution at source.
In a number of catchments ADAS is currently helping water companies work with farmers to implement practical mitigation strategies and subsequently gather evidence to determine the efficacy of stewardship and the length of time it takes to yield detectable improvements.
Further information

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BSPB - Plant Breeding Matters - Autumn edition

Highlights:
"Defra’s Green Food Project is a significant step towards a more inclusive and strategic approach to food policy."
"Field to Market – New metrics for sustainable agriculture."
"BSPB has donated £10,000 to support the charitable work of the Royal Agricultural Benevolent Institution (RABI) in helping farmers, farm-workers and their families in time of financial need."
"Quality seed production – a farmer’s view."
Full edition (pdf)

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General News

EPSRC/BBSRC/TSB

Call for Innovation and Knowledge Centre in Synthetic Biology
The Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC), The Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC) and the Technology Strategy Board (TSB) would like jointly to invite expressions of interest to establish an IKC in Synthetic Biology.
Led by academic institutions, IKCs are intended to accelerate the commercialisation of world class science and emerging technologies into new products, processes or services. Designed to foster collaboration and deliver competitive advantage to the businesses with whom they interact, IKCs possess expert knowledge and understanding of core science and technologies.
The UK Roadmap for Synthetic Biology (pdf) recommended that an IKC be established in synthetic biology to provide the important function of academic / business integration. This call will provide up to £10M of funding over an initial 5 years to help commercialise synthetic biology technologies in a responsible way.
Deadline: 20 December 2012
Further information

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BBSRC: £20M investment for UK synthetic biology research

In a move that could potentially revolutionise major UK industries and help meet serious social and environmental challenges, BBSRC has announced an unprecedented £20M worth of synthetic biology projects. The funding was announced by the Chancellor George Osborne. The six projects focus on biotechnology and advanced bioenergy and will use synthetic biology to investigate major global challenges, such as producing low-carbon fuel and reducing the cost of industrial raw materials. The funding will also help to build a world-leading synthetic biology research community in the UK.
Further information

News & Jobs: October

General News

Shaping a UK agri-tech strategy: call for evidence

This call for evidence invites you to submit views and information that will help shape a Government strategy to promote UK economic growth and international development by making best use of the science and technologies relevant to agriculture.
To respond to the survey visit https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/agri-tech-strategy-call-for-evidence-Oct-2012
Closing date: 22 Nov 2012

BIA organised UK Bioscience Forum

The report on the BIA organised UK Bioscience Forum (held on 4th Oct) including discussions on Accessing the innovation in academia, Drugs and diagnostic and The Future of Pharma has been released on Storify.
View report

Partner Jobs

University of Cambridge, Department of Plant Sciences

Research Associate and Chief Technician vacancies at the Department of Plant Sciences.
Research Group Leader, Sainsbury Laboratory, Cambridge University
Further information

Exciting Group Leader Vacancies at the John Innes Centre

The John Innes Centre is looking to recruit Group Leaders focused on plant or microbial systems who will complement their ongoing science and run internationally excellent and innovative research programmes.
In particular, they are seeking to recruit individuals to join their efforts focused on plant response to the environment and cell and developmental biology as well as in the field of molecular microbiology, especially in the Streptomyces area in which JIC has long maintained a world-leading position. Full details on these roles and how to apply can be found on the JIC current vacancies page.
Further information

International vacancies at Syngenta

Further information

Internships

John Innes Centre International Undergraduate Summer Research Training Programme 2013

This programme is open for undegraduates from any scientific discipline who wish to gain research experience in plant and microbial sciences.
Closing date for applications: 8th February 2013.
Further information

KWS UK Summer Work Placements

Applications are accepted now for a number of Harvest Assistant posts available from June until November 2013. There are also positions within the Seed Plant.
Short-term work may may be available for SEPTEMBER AND OCTOBER.
Further information

News: June 2012

Partner News

Rothamsted Research: Providing solutions for food security - Rothamsted Research launches "20:20 Wheat ®"

Scientists at Rothamsted Research have launched a new 20:20 Wheat ® Programme at the UK Cereals 2012 event on 13 June, aiming to provide the knowledge base and tools to increase potential wheat yields in the UK to 20 tonnes per hectare within the next 20 years. It is hoped that this could bring significant economic benefit to UK farmers as every 1 tonne per hectare increase in yield is estimated to be worth £318M per year at the farm gate.

Further information

Partner News

UK PlantSci 2012 Talks now online

Did you miss out on the inagural UK Plant Sciences Federation conference, UK PlantSci 2012? If so don't worry many of the talks are now available online.

Further information

NATIONAL PLANT PHENOMICS CENTRE

On Monday 14 May 2012, the new National Plant Phenomics Centre, which features the most advanced research greenhouse in the UK, was formally opened at Aberystwyth University's Institute of Biological, Environmental and Rural Sciences. The new Centre is a Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC) supported national facility and has been developed at a cost of £6.8M.

Further information

MINISTER ANNOUNCES £250M FUNDING FOR THE UK’S BIOSCIENCE

On May 24th, during a visit to the Babraham Research Campus, near Cambridge, Minister for Universities and Science, David Willetts, has announced substantial funding that will ensure the UK's bioscience research base remains globally competitive and at the forefront of meeting the grand challenges faced by society in the coming decades.

Further information

NEW WEBSITE TO SUPPORT WHEAT RESEARCH

A new wheat research information resource was launched on 18th June in a bid to help coordinate worldwide research efforts in the fields of wheat genetics, genomics, physiology, breeding and agronomy. The new website provides a central hub for the Wheat Initiative which aims to coordinate wheat research programmes and contribute to food security across the globe.

View the website

Partner news: May 2012

Science and industry club together to deliver better crops

Three CPPS members have new industry-relevant crop science projects funded as part of the Crop Improvement Research Club (CIRC)

The research is aimed at delivering improvements to the main UK cereal crops - oilseed rape, barley and wheat - so boosting efforts to ensure food security. Nine projects were funded overall - together, they represent an investment of over £4M by BBSRC, the Scottish Government and 14 companies including plant breeders, farmers and food processors.

The three projects by CPPS members are:

• Professor Andy Greenland, NIAB - Production of wheat lacking B-type starch granules
• Professor Peter Shewry, Rothamsted Research - The role of lipids in determining gas bubble retention in wheat dough
• Dr Richard Whalley, Rothamsted Research - Phenotyping root function in wheat

Further information

JOHN INNES CENTRE: Fine mapping wheat genes

Researchers at the John Innes Centre have shown how next generation sequencing techniques can be used in mapping genes more quickly and efficiently than has been possible before.
Further information

ROTHAMSTED RESEARCH: Launch of globally unique farm research platform

A new 'Farm Platform', launched at Rothamsted Research North Wyke in Devon, aims to help farmers to optimise productivity in ways that are sustainable, whilst at the same time understanding the impact of farming methods on the environment. It will bring together scientists from across disciplines and countries to spark new ideas to meet the food security challenge.
Further information

RREs: Plant perfumes woo beneficial bacterial

Scientists at Rothamsted Research have discovered that maize crops emit chemical signals which attract growth-promoting microbes to live amongst their roots. This is the first chemical signal that has been shown to attract beneficial bacteria to the maize root environment. By deepening our understanding of how cereals interact with microorganisms in the soil their research aims to contribute to ongoing efforts to increase cereal yields sustainably to feed a growing world population.
Further information

RRes: Attack on Aphid-resistant wheat trial

An intruder attempted to break into RREs experimental trial on Sunday, 20th May, causing property damage but failing to disrupt the experiment. The individual responsible has been arrested and charged by Police.
Further information

February news: Miscellaneous

Funding secured for NIAB Innovation Farm

NIAB Innovation Farm has been awarded a £2.7 million grant from the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF), with additional match-funding coming from industry and academic partners, including CPPS.

The new funding will help develop an interactive commercial hub linking science and industry, highlighting developments in plant research and transferring market ready innovations into commercial reality as rapidly as possible. The project will also benefit from the building of new glasshouse and sustainable low-carbon visitor centre.

The ERDF funding aims to improve productivity in the East of England, by supporting industry, especially small to medium enterprises to move innovation forward in the market place and by improving links between companies which in turn will create and safeguard jobs.

NIAB Innovation Farm will continue to demonstrate the power of plant genetic innovation through field and glasshouse exhibits and a range of events held throughout the year. Visit www.innovationfarm.co.uk for more information.

Bioenergy Research at Cambridge / Rothamsted Research:

Breeding better grasses for food and fuel

Researchers from the BBSRC Sustainable Bioenergy Centre (BSBEC) have discovered a family of genes that are important in the development of the fibrous, woody parts of grasses. This could help us breed grasses with improved properties for diet and bioenergy. The research was carried out by a team from the University of Cambridge and Rothamsted Research headed by Paul Dupree, Biochemistry Cambridge, and Rowan Mitchell, Plant Science RRes. For more information click here.

Invitation to nominate speakers for future CPPS Lectures

CPPS Lectures, such as that delivered by Prof Julian Ma last Thu on ‘Molecular Pharming’, are an excellent way for CPPS members from academia and industry to build further links and network. The process for choosing next year’s speakers is under way – all of you are invited to nominate speakers and topics which are of particular interest to you. Please email bgs21@cam.ac.uk with any suggestions in the next few weeks.

International workshop 2nd May, Edinburgh

The Biosciences KTN is organizing an International Workshop ‘Advanced breeding programmes for suitable crop and livestock production’ which will be held on May 2nd at The Roslin Institute, Edinburgh. This workshop will bring together leading international animal breeding companies and academic scientists to discuss research challenges and recent advances in high-throughput genomic technologies in animal and plant breeding.

Registration for the workshop is now open. For further information please follow this link: http://advanced-breeding-workshop.eventbrite.co.uk.

Five BBSRC Industrial CASE PhD Studentships via Biosciences KTN

Biosciences KTN has secured five CASE studentships to start in academic year 2012/13 which will be allocated out across the Food, Industrial Bioscience and Plants and Crops Sectors. This call is only open to registered members of the Biosciences KTN _connect website. The competition scope encompasses any original research project in the field of bioscience relevant to the BBSRC's strategic priorities.

CASE (Co-operative Awards in Science and Engineering) studentships involve post-graduate students studying for a PhD through research with both an academic institution and a commercial company.

The deadline for applications is Midnight 30th March 2012. Successful applicants will be notified of the outcome of their applications by Wednesday 9th May and the student would need to start anytime in the 2012/13 academic year.

How to access the call document on the Biosciences KTN website

Register/log on to the website to access the call documents and application forms by clicking on www.innovateuk.org/biosciencesktn.
Once logged in, go to the "Groups" tab and select the "Biosciences KTN Industrial CASE Awards" group and click "Join this group".
To access the call document, please go to the Document Library.

If you have any events, news or advertisements you would like to see included please email bgs21@cam.ac.uk.