National Plant Phenomics Centre opens at Aberystwyth

Aberystwyth University has celebrated the opening of two significant research facilities that will add to the UK’s knowledge-based bioeconomy. The new National Plant Phenomics Centre, featuring the most advanced research greenhouse in the UK, was formally opened on May 14 at the University’s Institute of Biological, Environmental and Rural Sciences, by BBSRC Chairman, Professor Sir Tom Blundell FRS.

The research conducted at this new national centre will help to develop new plant and crop varieties to help tackle the global challenges of climate change, food security and replacing oil based products.

In the afternoon Welsh Government Education and Skills Minister Leighton Andrews opened a new teaching and researcher facilities on the University’s Penglais campus which houses the Bioinformatics and Spatial Modelling laboratories as well as offering a hub for undergraduate and postgraduate teaching.

Together the developments represent the culmination of a four year £25m capital investment programme made possible by financial support from the BBSRC, the Welsh Government and the European Union.

BBSRC Chairman, Professor Sir Tom Blundell, said: “The benefits of this investment will reach well beyond the walls of the University, offering a new national capability in crop science. Discoveries made here will contribute to combating major challenges, such as feeding a growing population.”

Leighton Andrews said: “This superb facility for research and teaching in the land based sciences is a great example of the kind of cutting-edge higher education the Welsh Government wants to see. We've made a significant capital investment in Aberystwyth University as part of our ambitious agenda for science and innovation here in Wales. This new centre will develop the University’s reputation as a globally-significant centre of bioscience research which should be celebrated.”