The John Innes Centre (JIC), based on the Norwich Research Park, is a partner in four collaborations awarded a total of more than £4m in the latest round of Defra's Farming Innovation Programme.

Researchers are using precision breeding techniques such as gene editing to develop crops with disease resistance, climate resilience and better nutrition - in a much faster and more targeted way than traditional breeding, but without introducing genes from other species.

As a hub of excellence in this fast-developing area of crop science, the JIC, along with its academic, agricultural and industrial partners, is "seizing the opportunities for innovative biotechnology and farming solutions".

Two of the successful projects involving Norfolk-based researchers will help farmers tackle major disease challenges for oilseed rape and sugar beet - which are both under increasing threat from pests and diseases following the withdrawal of environmentally-damaging chemicals.

Another project will help to bring gene-edited Vitamin D-enriched tomatoes to market for UK consumers, while another aims to engineer dandelions to provide a sustainable homegrown source of rubber, using aeroponic cultivation in indoor farms.

Prof Cristóbal Uauy, director of the John Innes Centre, based on the Norwich Research Park (Image: JIC)

JIC director Prof Cristóbal Uauy said: “We are delighted to be partners in four of the projects chosen in the Farming Innovation Programme precision breeding initiative.

"The fact that our scientists and their industry partners have performed so strongly in this funding round is an endorsement of the John Innes Centre’s value as a hub of precision........

© Norwich Evening News