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School of Life Sciences

Plant & Agricultural Bioscience News

Mon 8 Jan '24 | Research Highlight

University of Warwick Launches Warwick Agri-Tech

Warwick Agri-Tech was launched by Professor Gideon Henderson, Chief Scientific Adviser on 20th December 2023. A visionary collaboration between the University of Warwick's WMG and School of Life Sciences, this pioneering initiative aims to transform agriculture through cutting-edge robotics, addressing critical challenges like labour shortages and food insecurity.

At its core, Warwick Agri-Tech pioneers revolutionary projects, from autonomous logistics to tree sorting systems and AI-driven weed control. With a mission to significantly reduce herbicide usage while meeting the growing demand for sustainable food production, its launch marks a pivotal step towards a more efficient and environmentally conscious future in farming.

Read the press release here. You can also register for their upcoming webinar (25th Jan 2024).

Wed 29 Nov '23 | Research Highlight

University of Warwick Pioneers UK-Grown Baked Beans Revolution

The University of Warwick's innovative agricultural techniques have brought British-grown baked beans closer to tables across the UK. Spearheaded by Professor Eric Holub and farmer Andy Ward, the Capulet Beans have entered the tinning phase, marking a milestone in their journey. This breakthrough not only signifies a locally sourced, high-quality product but also offers a step towards sustainable food choices in the UK. These beans, the first of their kind to be used as baked beans, hold promise in revolutionising food production, reducing environmental impact, and supporting the shift towards healthier diets, aligning with the University's commitment to agricultural advancement and global food security challenges.

Read the press release, here. 

Mon 27 Nov '23 | Research Highlight

Warwick Agri-Tech Takes Centre Stage at CropTec Show 2023, Unveiling Innovation for Sustainable Agriculture

Warwick Agri-Tech made a compelling impact at The CropTec Show 2023, marking a pivotal moment in showcasing its cutting-edge expertise. This collaboration between WMG and SLS amalgamates advanced engineering with plant science, poised to redefine the agricultural landscape. The forthcoming official launch, scheduled for December 20th at the Stratford Innovation Campus, heralds the initiation of this groundbreaking venture aimed at shaping the future of agriculture. For a glimpse into the innovative strides of Warwick Agri-Tech, explore their video highlighting their pioneering approach to sustainable farming practices.


Mon 20 Nov '23 | News Feature

Professor Eric Holub Advocates Home-Grown Solutions at Global Food Security Summit

Professor Eric Holub shared invaluable insights at the Global Food Security Summit, underscoring the advantages of locally sourced produce. Explore his commentary, emphasising the significance of home-grown solutions in addressing global food security challenges.

Wed 15 Nov '23 | News Feature

Dr. Lauren Chappell Discusses VeGIN Project on BBC Farming Today

Dr. Lauren Chappell, during a recent BBC Farming Today segment, delved into the advancement of brassica varieties and the Defra-sponsored VeGIN project (Vegetable Genetic Improvement Network). Her discussion highlighted the pursuit of breeding novel brassica strains, aiming to enhance their qualities. For more details on the Farming Today program featuring this conversation (starting from 00:27), and to explore further insights into the VeGIN project, follow the links below.
Listen to the Farming Today programme
Find out more about VeGINLink opens in a new window

Mon 6 Nov '23 | News Feature

Parliamentary Spotlight: SLS Scholars Shape 'Sowing the Seeds' Report on English Horticulture

Researchers from the cluster have contributed to a Parliamentary report titled 'Sowing the seeds: A blooming English horticultural sector.' Released by the House of Lords on November 6, this comprehensive report delves into the evolution of England's horticultural sector. Notably, it features citations from Professor Richard Napier and contributions from Professor Rosemary Collier and Alex Kelly. Dive into the full report for an in-depth exploration of the sector's development and the invaluable contributions made by these our researchers.

Fri 20 Oct '23 | Open Day

Group Presents Advances in Xanthomonas Disease Research at Elsoms Open Days

On the 11-12th October 2023 members of Murray Grant’s group attended the Elsoms Open days in Lincolnshire. The group showcased their research on Xanthomonas diseases of brassicas, maize, strawberry, and watercress with a focus on disease diagnostics and resistance breeding. It was a great opportunity to engage with industry and growers and many an interesting conversation was had around gene editing and sustainable disease control. A highlight was being able to see the huge diversity of vegetable varieties Elsoms offer, we even got to taste some at lunch – delicious!

16th October | Guest Lecture

The Elizabeth Creak Distinguished Lecture by Prof. Sophien Kamoun: Celebrating World Food Day with Insights on Plant Pathogens

The School of Life science celebrated World Food Day on the 16th of October by hosting Professor Sophien Kamoun as the guest speaker for the Elizabeth Creak Distinguished Lecture. Professor Kamoun's lecture, titled 'Keeping up with the Plant Killers,' shed light on the critical topic of plant pathogens and their impact on the global food supply.

Professor Sophien Kamoun, a Senior Scientist at The Sainsbury Laboratory and a Professor of Biology at The University of East Anglia in Norwich, is renowned for his groundbreaking contributions to the understanding of plant diseases and plant immunity. Through innovative work in plant pathology, he has paved the way for new strategies to combat serious crop diseases. Professor Kamoun's exceptional contributions had earned him several prestigious awards, including the Kuwait Prize and The Linnean Medal. In 2018, he was elected a Fellow of the Royal Society.

In addition to Professor Kamoun's lecture, Professor Miriam Gifford, the Head of the School of Life Sciences, took the stage to share the vision behind Warwick’s 'STEM Grand Challenge.' This initiative represented a substantial investment in Science and Engineering education, research, and facilities, underscoring the university's commitment to advancing knowledge in these crucial fields.

The lecture took place in the state-of-the-art Interdisciplinary Biomedical Research Building located on the Gibbet Hill campus. Attendees also enjoyed refreshments, and a drinks reception followed the event, providing an opportunity for networking and discussion. In an effort to foster engagement and knowledge-sharing, staff and students were encouraged to showcase their research through posters.

The event proved to be a remarkable occasion, bringing together experts and enthusiasts from diverse fields to explore the challenges and solutions related to plant pathogens and crop security. Members of the research community, donors, trustees and alumni joined the event for an enlightening and thought-provoking evening.

5th October | News Feature

Q&A with FERA's Genetic Technologies and GM Reform Team

The Plant and Agricultural Biosciences cluster hosted an insightful Q&A session with FERA's Genetic Technologies and GM Reform Team. This session followed the recent passing of the Precision Breeding Bill, poised to influence the course of UK Plant Science significantly. The Q&A session shed light on the bill's implementation and welcomed the thoughts, queries, and suggestions from SLS academics. This event was particularly valuable for those interested in integrating traits into elite crops and seeking insights into the future of this field. Notably, the Bill has already made a positive impact on the EU's stance toward accepting plant gene editing within plant science.

Fri 15 Sep '23 | Research Highlight

Cultivating Sucess: British Beans on the Rise

The BBC has reported on the University of Warwick's efforts to produce a bean variety suitable for cultivation by British farmers. Historically, the UK has relied on imports for the majority of its beans used in various products, primarily due to unfavourable growing conditions. However, a private farm in Lincolnshire has successfully produced the first commercial harvests of Godiva and Olivia beans, developed by Professor Eric Holub and his team here at Warwick.

Fri 1 Sep '23 | Research Highlight

RoboCrop Revolution: Boosting Crop Productivity with Robotics

Researchers from the School of Life Sciences (SLS) Warwick Crop Centre and WMG are exploring the use of autonomous robotics, including a Crop Monitoring Robot (Crombot) and Boston Dynamics' Spot robot dog, to assist farmers in monitoring and managing crops in greenhouses and fields. These robots provide continuous and efficient crop monitoring, offering benefits such as identifying pest issues and ripeness levels, addressing labour shortages, and potentially enabling automated planting and harvesting, with the aim of making robotic solutions more affordable and practical for growers.

Mon 21 Aug '23 | Conference

PAC at the ICPP2023 conference, France

Dr Saïd El-Hassan had a great week in presenting his research work and the University of Warwick at the ICPP2023 conference, in Lyon, France.

Thu 27 Jul '23 | News Feature

DEFRA Visit to Discuss New Precision Breeding Bill

On Monday 24th July, members of the Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs (DEFRA) attended the Wellesbourne and Gibbet Hill campuses. Their visit included a tour of the new Elizabeth Creak Horticultural Technology Centre, a talk from Cluster Lead Professor Murray Grant and a short discussion with members of the cluster about the direction of the Precision Breeding Bill.

Visit to Warwick Crop Centre at the University of Warwick Innovation Campus, Stratford-Upon-Avon by Stratford-on-Avon District Council Leadership. Pictured in the Natural Light Growing Centre.

Tue 18th Jul '23 | News Feature

Stratford-on-Avon District Council Visit Warwick Crop Centre

On Monday 17th July, Stratford-on-Avon District Council Leadership visited Warwick Crop Centre at the University of Warwick Innovation Campus, Stratford-Upon-Avon. They're pictured in the Natural Light Growing Centre.

Student Blogs

Read the latest blog posts from students in the cluster here.

PhD student Megan Lewis's post on her BSPP-sponsored trip to IS-MPMI congress at Rhode Island.

Reshma Ajith: URSS student blog, in Prof. Grant's group.
Bacteriocins to help brassicas: Robyn’s placement report.

Banana, Fusarium, and American singer-songwriter Anastacia

News Feed

Meet Our Researchers

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Contact

If you have a news item you would like to add to the news page, please email Jamie Pike:

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