Welcome to the 39th edition of Advances, the bi-annual John Innes Centre magazine. Our research is grounded in discovery and we are committed to harnessing the power of plant and microbial science to deliver solutions for healthier plants, people and planet.

Here we’re showcasing our commitment to translating knowledge into real-world impact, exploring how science benefits people. Our researchers are passionate about food, and are fortifying plants to counter hidden hunger and malnutrition, including ‘Sunshine’ tomatoes and pea shoots.

We showcase two fascinating stories about farms and food security: a rapid response to an emerging threat to UK wheat varieties and an enterprising farmer whose journey of scientific discovery with us led to a product which reduces nitrogen loss from the soil.

Plants and microbes are incredible natural chemists, producing innumerable therapeutic compounds which support human health and wellbeing. We take inspiration from nature to support the sustainable production of molecules from the soapbark tree and visualise the search for new antibiotics.

Alumni of the John Innes Centre facilitate impact beyond the doors of the institute. One of our alumni shares his mission to develop biofortified potatoes at the International Potato Centre in Peru.

Our education and training programme seeks to train, mentor and develop the next generation of scientists, and this was a cause close to the heart of our colleague and friend Dr Philippa Borrill who we sadly lost earlier this year. We remember her fondly on page 26.

Professor Cristóbal Uauy

Director of the John Innes Centre