News from JIC
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For further information contact jic.communications@bbsrc.ac.uk or +44(0)1603 255111. If someone is not immediately available to take your call, this telephone number diverts to an answerphone, which will also give details of our out-of-hours media contact.
Latest news
- UK researchers release draft sequence coverage of wheat genome
August 27th 2010
A team of UK researchers, funded by the Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC), has publicly released the first sequence coverage of the wheat genome. The release is a step towards a fully annotated genome and makes a significant contribution to efforts to support global food security and to increase the competitiveness of UK farming.
- John Innes Foundation Student Prizes 2010
August 27th 2010
The John Innes Foundation has announced the winners of the 2010 John Innes Foundation Student Prizes for Excellence in Scientific Research and Excellence in Science Communication
- Research Medal for John Innes Centre Scientist
August 13th 2010
Professor James Brown has been awarded the Royal Agricultural Society of England Research Medal in recognition of his work to combat cereal diseases. The Research Medal is presented for work of outstanding merit carried out in the UK, which is proven or likely to be of benefit to agriculture. Professor Brown’s work has been vital in protecting wheat production in the UK and is continuing to combat the threats crop diseases pose to UK food security.
- Scientists find new explanation for hybrid vigour
July 20th 2010
Plant scientists at the John Innes Centre have provided a new solution to an old debate on why species hybrids are often more vigorous than their parents. They found a type of genetic “noise” - caused by a surprising degree of variation in gene activity even for highly similar traits in closely related species. In this study, the scientists analysed the trait of flower asymmetry in two closely related species of snapdragon
- JIC researcher recognised for her contribution to public engagement
July 2010
Fiona Corke, a Research Assistant in the Department of Cell and Developmental Biology at JIC has received a Public and Community Engagement Award from CUE East and the University of East Anglia for her long-standing work in public engagement and communicating the John Innes Centre’s science to the wider community.
- ABRF Outstanding Scientist/Technologist Award
July 2010
Gerhard Saalbach, from the JIC Proteomics Facility, has been awarded an Outstanding Scientist/Technologist Award by the Association of Biomolecular Resource Facilities at this year’s annual science conference in Sacramento, California.
- Key milestone towards the development of a new clinically useful antibiotic
July 2010
Scientists from the John Innes Centre have identified the genes necessary for making a highly potent and clinically unexploited antibiotic in the fight against multi-resistant pathogens.
- John Innes Centre receives award for its contribution to Nuffield Scholarship Scheme
July 2010
The John Innes Centre has been presented with the Employer Award from The Exchange in recognition of their contributions to the Nuffield Scholarship Scheme, that helps local science pupils get experience of working in research
- John Innes Centre named as one of the best places to work in academia
June 2010
The John Innes Centre has come fourth in an annual international survey to find the best places to work in academia, outside of the US. The survey, carried out by The Scientist magazine, is based on academics responding to a survey to assess their working environment.
- John Innes Rose presentation
June 2010
The John Innes Centre has presented a gift of a rose bush to a number of the science institute’s partners and supporters at a special evening at Peter Beales Roses, Attleborough
- What is the JI's most significant contribution?
May 2010
The John Innes Centre and the Sainsbury Laboratory were recently ranked number one of the world’s “top institutions in plant and animal sciences." But now the John Innes Centre wants you to vote on what you think is the most important contribution it has made to plant and microbial science over the last 100 years. here are five research areas on which you can vote and the winner will be announced in July as JIC brings its centenary celebrations to a close.
- JIC and TSL top in plant and animal science
May 2010
The John Innes Centre and The Sainsbury Laboratory have topped a survey ranking the most influential papers of the last ten years in plant and animal sciences. A total of 88,700 institutions were surveyed worldwide. JIC and TSL on the Norwich Research Park were ranked significantly higher than any other organization.
- New screen for safer food crops
14th May 2010
Many plants, in response to predators or herbivores, release hydrogen cyanide to defend themselves. This mechanism, known as cyanogenesis, is found in two thirds of the main crop species eaten worldwide, including maize, sugar cane and some legumes. John Innes Centre scientists are working on a way to screen crop plants for toxic accumulation. The genetic screen will be particularly useful for crops grown in tropical and sub-Saharan Africa.
- Eagle Genomics Ltd. and the John Innes Centre enter into collaboration on TraitTag
May 2010
Eagle Genomics Ltd. in close collaboration with Martin Trick and Ian Bancroft from the John Innes Centre, have signed a collaboration agreement to establish a commercial service for a new plant breeding research technology, TraitTag.
- Scientists make TB bug suicidal
March 2010
Scientists have identified a new class of drug target that tricks tuberculosis bacteria into suicidal self-poisoning. Researchers identified the role that an enzyme called GlgE plays in Mycobacterium tuberculosis, the cause of tuberculosis and the leading cause of death worldwide from bacterial pathogens. It claims about two million lives every year.
- JIC spin-out scientist wins prestigious national award
March 2010
Dr Michael McArthur has been named the winner of 'Most Promising Innovator of the Year' award at BBSRC’s Innovator of the Year event for his work using novel antibacterials to combat drug-resistant bacterial infections. The award carries with it a prize of £5000. Dr McArthur has developed novel technologies to combat drug resistant bacterial infections, such as MRSA and a spin-out company from the John Innes Centre, Procarta Biosystems, is now taking this technology through to the marketplace.
- Perfect peas to push profits and cut carbon
March 2010
Scientists, pea breeders and the food industry are collaborating to discover how taste and tenderness can be determined by biochemistry and genetics. A £1.5M project coordinated from the JIC will find ways to develop improved pea varieties for the high profit margin food market, and study the impact of increased legume farming on nitrogen fertiliser use.
- John Innes Centre researchers selected for bioscience innovation prize final
March 2010
Two research groups from the John Innes Centre have been shortlisted for the finals of a £20,000 national bioscience innovation prize, the Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council’s (BBSRC) Innovator of the Year Award
- New Director for John Innes Centre
March 2010
The Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC), the John Innes Foundation and the John Innes Centre Governing Council have announced the appointment of Professor Dale Sanders FRS as Director and Chief Executive of the John Innes Centre.
- Discovery of the nutrient 'mining machine' in plants
February 2009
Scientists from the John Innes Centre and the University of Oxford have discovered which genes control the specialized nutrient mining machine that develops on the surface of plant roots.
- First member of the wheat and barley group of grasses is sequenced
February 2010
A few grass species provide the bulk of our food supply and new grass crops are being domesticated for sustainable energy and feedstock production. However there are significant barriers limiting crop improvement, such as a lack of knowledge of gene function and their large and complex genomes. Now, an international consortium involving JIC present an analysis of the complete genome sequence of the wild grass Brachypodium distachyon.
- Economic Impact
January 2010
The John Innes Centre contributes over £170M annually to the UK economy, demonstrating the impact and relevance of the research we undertake, and validating the investment of public funding. A new economic impact brochure highlights the key achievements of JIC, the impact of its science and how it has been of benefit to society.
- Food Security
27th January 2010
At a public event on February 9th, scientists from the John Innes Centre and the Sainsbury Laboratory will talk about how research in Norwich is helping to tackle the global challenge of food security.
- The plant that doesn't feel the cold
January 2010
Scientists at the John Innes Centre have discovered that plants have a built-in thermometer that they use to control their development.
- Food Security - What Next?
December 2009
The John Innes Centre and Sainsbury Laboratory are making crucial contributions to the Grand Challenge of food security. This brochure describes some of the work underway to help deliver the BBSRC's food security mission.
- John Innes scientist at the Royal Institution Christmas Lectures
December 2009
Professor Cathie Martin of the John Innes Centre made a guest appearance at this year's Royal Institution Christmas Lectures
- Flowering powers genetic understanding
10th December 2009
New research from the John Innes Centre on how plants adapt their flowering to climate is also helping to unravel some of the mysteries of how genes are controlled.
- Two heads better than one in new antibiotic method
December 2009
An antibiotic that binds to a well-established target in a novel and unexpected way could be the inspiration for designing new, more potent antibacterial drugs.
- Protecting the future: how plant stem cells guard against genetic damage
16 November 2009
JIC scientists have shown how plants can protect themselves against genetic damage caused by environmental stresses. The growing tips of plant roots and shoots have an in-built mechanism that, if it detects damage to the DNA, causes the cell to ‘commit suicide’ rather than pass on its defective DNA.
- Royal Society announces Dorothy Hodgkin Fellowships for 2009
12th November 2009
The Royal Society, the UK’s national academy of science, has announced the appointment of 10 new Dorothy Hodgkin Fellows (DHFs) for 2009. Dr Verônica Grieneisen is the recipient of one of these fellowships, and she will be working at the John Innes Centre (JIC) and the University Of East Anglia (UEA).
- Key seed size gene identified
5th November 2009
Scientists from the John Innes Centre and the University of Freiburg in Germany have uncovered a gene in plants that is responsible for controlling the size of seeds.
- Cheers to 100 years
28th October 2009
To mark its centenary this year, the John Innes Centre in Norwich has produced a beer to celebrate its ongoing contributions to science and agriculture. ‘John Innes 100’ is a strong English-style India Pale Ale brewed by the award winning Thornbridge brewery using a traditional method, to reflect the historical nature of the beer. It uses Maris Otter barley; a variety with close links to the John Innes Centre’s historical work.
- JIC welcomes Royal Society report into food security
21st October 2009
The John Innes Centre welcomes the Royal Society report, “Reaping the benefits: science and the sustainable intensification of global agriculture” which has carefully analysed the issues relating to securing future global food supplies.
- Discover John Innes in Sheringham
October 2009
Horticulture and science are coming together at the coast when the John Innes Centre will be visiting Sheringham, in association with the Sheringham Horticultural Society.
- John Innes Discovery Day
September 2009
On Sunday 13th September the John Innes Centre is opening its doors to the public for the first time since the 1980s by holding a Discovery Day. Live displays, quizzes and exhibitions will help visitors discover more about the cutting edge research carried out at JIC.
- PBL / John Innes Centre technology instrumental in Medicago’s flu vaccine production
August 2009
Medicago, JIC and PBL (Plant Bioscience Limited) announced today that Medicago’s outstanding achievement in producing the H1 VLP antigen in only 14 days, as revealed in the Canadian company’s press release on 30th June 2009, was achieved using among other technologies, a technology invented by JIC researchers and which is licensed by PBL to Medicago
- Plant-derived natural products: synthesis, function and application
August 2009
A new textbook has been released, co-edited by Professor Anne Osbourn of the John Innes Centre, which serves as a guide to the latest advances in the field of plant-derived natural products. Published by Springer, Plant-derived natural products: synthesis, function and application includes contributions from scientists working at the JIC and the Institute of Food Research.
- Institutes provide valuable experience for students
July 2009
Schoolchildren from across Norfolk have been gaining valuable work experience at the Norwich BioScience Institutes, giving them an idea of what it is like to work in at a leading science campus. The 14 and 15 year-olds have been working in a variety of different laboratory environments, looking at things such as analysing genome sequences, extracting DNA from bacteria, and crystallising proteins.
- Funding for spin out company
July 2009
Novacta Biosystems, the first company to spin out of the John Innes Centre and Plant Bioscience Ltd., has received £13.1 million of investment from Celtic Pharma Holdings to drive novel antibiotics platform addressing areas of major unmet need, including hospital acquired infections C. difficile and MRSA.
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New national genome centre opens in Norwich
July 2009
A new national genome centre was officially opened on the Norwich Research Park on 3 July. The Genome Analysis Centre (TGAC) was officially opened by the Lord Lieutenant of Norfolk, following a keynote speech from Prof Sir John Sulston, a Nobel Prize winning scientist who had a key role in the Human Genome Project.
- Royal Society Summer Science Exhibition 2009
June 2009
A common garden flower can reveal how shapes are formed by genes. The snapdragon helps scientists understand how patterns form during growth and how characteristics are inherited. JIC scientists and the Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC) will present their research on snapdragons at the Royal Society’s annual Summer Science Exhibition in London from Tuesday 30th June to Saturday 4th July.
- BBSRC institutes highlight food security to world’s science journalists
June 2009
BBSRC institutes highlighted the growing crisis in global food security – and how science can serve up solutions to prevent it – in a session at the World Conference of Science Journalists in Westminster on Wednesday 1st July.
- Honour for John Innes Centre Director
June 2009
Professor Chris Lamb FRS, director of the John Innes Centre, has been awarded a CBE for services to plant sciences in the Queen’s Birthday Honours List.
- JIC scientists write new Plant Biology textbook
June 2009
The John Innes Centre’s excellence in plant science has helped in the production of a new textbook for students. ‘Plant Biology’, published by Garland Science, is an account of modern plant science, reflecting recent advances in genetics and genomics and the excitement they have created.
- New efforts to counter barley disease
June 2009
A project to combat a newly emerging disease of barley is being launched. It will pull together the efforts of plant scientists, breeders and industry to prevent this disease establishing and help UK farmers produce barley cost-effectively without additional impact on the environment.
- Science Special Issue on Plant-Microbe interactions
May 2009
The journal Science recently produced a Special Issue on Plant-Microbe Interactions, and the John Innes Centre and Sainsbury Laboratory’s expertise in this area was recognised with three of the seven articles being authored by current scientists.
- Shatter Resistant Brassicas
May 2009
A team of scientists headed by JIC researchers has cracked the problem of pod shatter in brassica crops such as oilseed rape. The scientists discovered that the absence of the hormone auxin in a layer of cells in the fruit is necessary for the fruit to open.
- New Fellows of the Royal Society
May 2009
Former John Innes Centre scientist Professor Nick Harberd has been elected to the Fellowship of the Royal Society, in recognition of his exceptional contributions to science. His research at the JIC made pioneering contributions to the solution of a fundamental problem in biology, the molecular mechanisms via which plant hormones control growth.
- New national Genome Centre to underpin food security and animal health
April 2009
[BBSRC Press Release]
A new national centre to analyse plant, animal and microbial genomes has been announced by the Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC). The Genome Analysis Centre (TGAC) will be based on the site of the John Innes Centre, and will provide genome sequencing to underpin advances to improve food security, to protect UK agriculture from exotic animal disease and exploit weaknesses in microbes to develop new ways to kill superbugs.
- Making Sense of GM
March 2009
Norwich BioScience Institutes scientists have contributed to a guide to genetic modification published by the charitable trust, Sense About Science. In Making Sense of GM, scientists and agriculturalists are launching a fresh public discussion about GM, putting GM back into the context of developing plant breeding and responding to public concerns and misconceptions.
- National Science and Engineering Week
March 2009
March 6th sees the start of The British Science Association’s National Science and Engineering Week, and as part of this the John Innes Centre and the Institute of Food Research are hosting an interactive exhibition at The Forum in Norwich celebrating the birth of Charles Darwin and the 150th anniversary of the publication of his most famous work, On the Origin of Species. They will also be showcasing the work of their young scientists, giving the chance to hear about the latest work on topics such as antibiotics and how our gut protects us from invasion.
- New publication highlights role of plant science in delivering food security
March 2009
[BBSRC Press Release]
With rapid global population growth, a changing climate and disruption to global trading patterns threatening our food supplies, the Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC) is funding research to help provide us with enough food for the future. Food security depends on a number of factors but one priority is the need to grow enough high quality, nutritional crops. JIC researchers are investigating a gene that controls flowering time in UK wheat and barley varieties with the aim to help plant breeders to optimise flowering time and yield for a changing UK climate.
- Science, Art and Writing
February 2009
A new book is being published by the SAW Trust, presenting art and writing inspired by science from the John Innes Centre and Institute of Food Research. Science, Art and Writing (SAW) is a UK-based science education initiative that breaks down traditional barriers between science and the arts. The stunning science images and the artworks inspired by them have been collected together in ‘SAW Showcase’, published by the SAW Trust on February 28th.
- Gene to reduce wheat yield losses
February 2009
A new gene that provides resistance to a fungal disease responsible for millions of hectares of lost wheat yield has been discovered by scientists from the US and Israel.
- Wheat genome project to underpin food security
February 2009
UK scientists have been awarded £1.7 million to analyse the genomes of five varieties of wheat, in order to help farmers increase the yield and disease resistance of British wheat varieties.
- Support for budding scientists
February 2009
Over 200 pupils from fifteen Norfolk schools came to the John Innes Centre to find out what it’s really like to work in science. Students heard talks from working scientists about the highs and lows of their chosen careers, as well as getting hands-on experience.
- Skin colour studies on tadpoles leads to cancer advance
January 2009
[UEA press release]
The humble tadpole could provide the key to developing effective anti-skin cancer drugs, thanks to a groundbreaking discovery. The work was led by the University of East Anglia, in partnership with the John Innes Centre and Pfizer.
- International cooperation to produce novel animal vaccines from plants
January 2009
A new project is being launched that will develop a rapid plant-based system to produce and assess the capacity of different proteins to act as vaccines against important diseases of livestock such as avian influenza and blue tongue. The project, co-ordinated from the JIC, is a collaboration between the EU and Russia with participation from South Africa and funded under the EU Framework 7 programme.
Older news releases are available in our news archive.
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Copyright John Innes Centre
2010
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