The John Innes Centre receives strategic funding from BBSRC
The John Innes Centre receives strategic funding from BBSRC
John Innes Discovery DaySeptember 2009 On Sunday 13th September the John Innes Centre opened its doors to the public for the first time since the 1980s by holding a Discovery Day. Live insect displays, quizzes and exhibitions helped visitors discover more about the cutting edge research carried out at JIC. JIC scientists are world-leaders in their field and visitors toured their laboratories, watched demonstrations and took part in hands-on activities. The scientists volunteered their time to man displays and to answer questions. For example, on how wheat has changed the world, how scientists are helping farmers fight potato blight, and how they want to persuade plants to become non-polluting ‘green’ factories to supply all the chemicals we need in the future. Children had rubbings to find, stamps to collect and won prizes when they handed in completed activity sheets. The John Innes name is most famously associated with the range of composts. Visitors to the Discovery day will be able to travel back in time to a 1930s greenhouse to find out about how and why they were developed by early pioneers of plant science. The first director of the John Innes coined the word ‘genetics’ and visitors will be able to extract DNA, and learn how and why scientists genetically modify plants today. Dr Ken, the Juggling Geneticist, presented his new children’s show; ‘Genetics? Are You Taking the Pea?’ at 11am and 2pm. and there were hourly guided tours. Other hands-on demonstrations and activities explored nature’s antibiotic factories. Work at the John Innes has been central to learning about the discovery and production of new antibiotics. Historically the John Innes has researched many different fruits, vegetables and flowers, from apples to blackberries, rhubarb to roses. By following the Discovery trail around the site, visitors found out about early work to perfect varieties, and to develop propagation methods still used today. For example, the John Innes helped to breed semi-leafless peas, which now account for 100% of the UK dried pea market. http://www.jic.ac.uk/centenary/events/discovery_day.html
Contacts: Dawn Barrett, dawn.barrett@jic.ac.uk 01603 255328
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