John Innes Centre

Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council

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Advances: Issue 14

Advances issue 14 is now available

Advances reflects the originality of the science we do and

addresses the

interests of

our wide

stakeholder base.

Economic Impact

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Economic
Impact
Brochure

Food Security - What Next?

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Food
Security
Brochure

Celebrate 100 years of JI

Explore our 100 year history; find upcoming events; visit our memory bank

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Welcome to the John Innes Centre, an independent, international centre of excellence in plant science and microbiology. Our mission is to carry out excellent fundamental and strategic research, towards generation of economic and societal impact; to train scientists; to make our findings available to society.

The John Innes Centre contributes over £170M annually to the UK economy, demonstrating the impact and relevance of the excellent scientific research we undertake, and validating the investment of public funding to support this (2008 data from an independent report by DTZ). An economic impact brochure highlights the key achievements of the institute during the 100 years of its existence, the impact of its science and how it has been of benefit to society.

News from JIC

wheat UK researchers release draft sequence coverage of wheat genome
August 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.
JIF logo

John Innes Foundation Student Prizes 2010
August 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
BBSRC logo BBSRC Research Fellowships
August 2010
The 2010 BBSRC Research Fellowships Competition has been announced with a closing date for applications of 30 September 2010, 4pm.
Prof James Brown Research Medal for John Innes Centre Scientist
August 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.
snapdragon flower

Scientists find new explanation for hybrid vigour
July 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
Fiona Corke receiving her CUE East award

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.
Gerhard saalbach receiving his award

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.

Merv Bibb and Lucy Foulston 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.
nuffield foundation logo 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
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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.