Plants are incredible organisms, making up around 80% of all the biomass on Earth. However, despite their abundance, many people just don’t seem to notice plants. Dr Shannon Woodhouse, Education Programme Co-ordinator, explores this phenomenon.   Look at the picture above, what was the first thing you saw? I can guarantee it was Rex the cat and...

On the brick wall beside the entrance to the John Innes Centre reception, there is a white plaque featuring the JIC logo. Underneath the blue squares and name, you will find three words that sum up the mission of the organisation: Unlocking Nature’s Diversity. 

On Monday 29th July, the JIC/TSL Annual Student Science Meeting (ASM) unfolded with a fresh energy, designed by students, for students. Hosted by the John Innes Centre (JIC) and The Sainsbury Laboratory (TSL) student voices, this event was a unique opportunity for students to display their innovative research in a relaxed and supportive environment.  This...

Recently, we welcomed Aston Saini to the John Innes Centre’s policy team for a three-month internship. Earlier this month, we shared Aston’s  first blog Aston Saini, PIPS placement student – What I’ve learned about scientists engaging with policy makers. In this second  blog we asked Aston  to tell us about his experience of   working at...

In today’s blog, we hear from Aston Saini, a ‘Professional Internships for PhD Students’ placement student who recently spent three months working within the John Innes Centre policy team. Aston explores what his experience taught him about the ways researchers can engage with policy makers, as well as how crucial this aspect of science is...

Crop science is beginning to reap the benefits of Arthur Ernest Watkins’ work in the early 20th Century to assemble a diverse collection of local cultivars of wheat. As wheat scientist Robert Koebner wrote of this unassuming pioneer in the Genetics Society magazine, “Over 50 years since Watkins’ death and about 100 years since his...

Earlier this year, in January 2024, three PhD students journeyed from Kenya to Nepal for their professional internship placements (PIPS) with MARPLE diagnostics, empowering scientists with essential molecular biology skills in a collaborative effort to strengthen local agricultural research centres.  The John Innes Centre team of NRPDTP students, Cesaree Morier-Gxoyiya, Delfi Dorussen, and Tom Lock...

In a modern world facing previously unseen global challenges, such as food security and the need to feed a rapidly growing population, the Plant Genetics and Crop Improvement MSc offers essential training to postgraduate students which allows them to help tackle these issues, either by pursuing a PhD in plant molecular genetics or entering the...

At the John Innes Centre we value diversity and are committed to the creation of a positive environment which is fair, welcoming and inclusive: where everyone is treated with dignity and respect. Striving for equity of opportunity is key in achieving our mission. The John Innes Centre is delighted to be leading a new UKRI-BBSRC...