Germplasm Resources Unit
Lead Research Organisation:
John Innes Centre
Department Name: UNLISTED
Abstract
Abstracts are not currently available in GtR for all funded research. This is normally because the abstract was not required at the time of proposal submission, but may be because it included sensitive information such as personal details.
Technical Summary
The Germplasm Resources Unit (GRU) is a national capability supported by the BBSRC for the curation, promotion and dissemination of germplasm which serves academic, industrial and non-industrial groups both within the UK and internationally. We have established a strong and growing reputation as a centre of best practise for long term curation and distribution of key germplasm collections of cereals, legumes and brassicas. Our information management and external database system ‘SeedStor’ provides users with a highly functional web interface to search and interrogate the GRU collections.
The GRU collections resource the John Innes Centre’s BBSRC funded Institute Strategic Programme’s and the UK/international bioscience community’s use and exploitation of these resources.
The GRU collections form part of the UK’s conservation effort to the International Treaty for Plant Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture (ITPGRFA) as well as being a key centre for the curation and verification of newly generated resources handed over to the GRU for long term curation and distribution such as the in silico wheat TILLING populations. The GRU will develop closer alignment with evolving data generated using genomics and phenomics technologies.
The GRU collections resource the John Innes Centre’s BBSRC funded Institute Strategic Programme’s and the UK/international bioscience community’s use and exploitation of these resources.
The GRU collections form part of the UK’s conservation effort to the International Treaty for Plant Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture (ITPGRFA) as well as being a key centre for the curation and verification of newly generated resources handed over to the GRU for long term curation and distribution such as the in silico wheat TILLING populations. The GRU will develop closer alignment with evolving data generated using genomics and phenomics technologies.
Planned Impact
unavailable
Organisations
- John Innes Centre (Lead Research Organisation)
- Open Wild Wheat (Collaboration)
- Nottingham Scientific (Collaboration)
- University of Zurich (Collaboration)
- UNIVERSITY OF NOTTINGHAM (Collaboration)
- ABERYSTWYTH UNIVERSITY (Collaboration)
- UNIVERSITY OF READING (Collaboration)
- IPK Gatersleben (Collaboration)
- Helmholtz Zentrum München (Collaboration)
- Processors and Growers Research Organisation (PGRO) (Collaboration)
- EMBL European Bioinformatics Institute (EMBL - EBI) (Collaboration)
- The European Cooperative Programme for Plant Genetic Resources (Collaboration)
- University of Saskatchewan (Collaboration)
- Rothamsted Research (Collaboration)
- Agriculture and Agriculture-Food Canada (Collaboration)
- John Innes Centre (Collaboration)
- National Institute of Agronomy and Botany (NIAB) (Collaboration)
- EARLHAM INSTITUTE (Collaboration)
- University of Bristol (Collaboration)
- Agricultural Genomics Institute at Shenzhen (Collaboration)
Publications
Arora S
(2019)
Resistance gene cloning from a wild crop relative by sequence capture and association genetics.
in Nature biotechnology
Barratt LJ
(2023)
Co-expression network analysis of diverse wheat landraces reveals markers of early thermotolerance and a candidate master regulator of thermotolerance genes.
in The Plant journal : for cell and molecular biology
Brinton J
(2020)
A haplotype-led approach to increase the precision of wheat breeding.
in Communications biology
Ellis T
(2021)
Diversity of Pod Shape in Pisum
in Diversity
Gaurav K
(2022)
Population genomic analysis of Aegilops tauschii identifies targets for bread wheat improvement.
in Nature biotechnology
Goddard R
(2019)
Mapping of agronomic traits, disease resistance and malting quality in a wide cross of two-row barley cultivars
in PLOS ONE
Horler RSP
(2018)
SeedStor: A Germplasm Information Management System and Public Database.
in Plant & cell physiology
Kabukcu C
(2021)
Pathways to plant domestication in Southeast Anatolia based on new data from aceramic Neolithic Gusir Höyük.
in Scientific reports
Krasileva KV
(2017)
Uncovering hidden variation in polyploid wheat.
in Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America
| Description | The Germplasm Resources Unit (GRU) is an international genebank for UK strategic crops hosts ?comprehensive collections of cereal and legume crop gene-?pools. The GRU team is powered by a world-class germplasm information management system ?and public database (www.SeedStor.ac.uk), enabling cost-effective data and germplasm ?distribution. ?Our inventory increased in 43% over the last four years totalling over 51,000 accessions (Feb 2022) In total, 26,585 accessions of cereal and legume germplasm were requested from the GRU since the start of the current grant (April 2017). From April 2017 to February 2022, 1805 requests for germplasm were received and were processed (or are being processed) by the GRU team. Out of which, 26% (474 jobs) were in direct support of BBSRS Institute Strategic Programs (ISPs) at John Innes Centre (JIC) or supporting JIC's close collaborators. An additional 755 (42%) of the germplasm requests were received from UK based projects outside the JIC. The remaining seed orders (576, 32%) of the orders came from 52 other countries worldwide. Additionally, 146 ad-hoc phytosanitary related jobs were carried out by the GRU team in conjugation with the Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA) in DEFRA to assist safe, legal and swift seed export by the BBSRC ISPs and their collaborators. To date, the SeedStor database includes a total of 6162 images of our accessions including images of grains, ears and entire plants. This helps users find the germplasm of their choice. Tens of thousands of historic phenotypes are recorded on the system allowing one to choose germplasm based on the breadths of the collected data. |
| Exploitation Route | The fundamental task of this National Capability Grant is to conserve the germplasm and enhance its use for global food security and for advancing international plant science. The current users are plant scientist, crop breeders, and educators who had requested samples of the material (often uniquely curated by us internationally) for their science, breeding or education project. The germplasm is often central and critical for many of these projects. Tens of thousands of accessions (mainly of wheat) were prioritised to curation by the supported unit. Projects which generate germplasm as their main objective or as a by-product has deposited/ will deposit the generated prioritised germplasm to enhance its long term accessibility which will greatly enhance those project impact. This includes several national pre-breeding/ crop improvement networks such as DEFRA funded Pulse Crop Genetic Improvement and Wheat Genetic Improvement, BBSRC funded Designing Future Wheat, EU funded GEDIFLUX consortium, ECPCGR-EVA for wheat and barley (a german funded European crop evaluation program) and others |
| Sectors | Agriculture Food and Drink Education Environment |
| URL | http://www.seedstor.ac.uk |
| Description | From April 2017 to February 2023, the GRU team handled (or is handling) >2000 requests for germplasm from 52 countries. In addition, the GRU team has handled >250 requests for phytosanitary treatment of non-GRU germplasm supporting BBSRC ISPs to export seeds legally, swiftly, and safely. We asked our end users to state the overarching objective for which they requested the material. Expectedly, the main sector was academic plant science research from which came 75% of the seed requests. Requests from the private sector totaled 15%, this includes crop breeding, commercial use, pre-breeding/ breeding research, baking, farming, and thatching. Additional 7% of the requests related to education (in schools, universities, colleges, and public demonstrations). The remaining 3% is related, to hobby growing and other unspecified purposes. Unfortunately, users of the last two groups (education and hobby) were almost not active (internationally) in the last two years due to the Covid-19 pandemic. GRU is open for the deposition of new crop-derived germplasm and induced germplasm diversity (mutant populations). As a result, our total inventory has more than doubled and is now >53,000 accessions. The GRU is curating, regenerating, and distributing a series of new wheat collections named "Breeder toolkit". These collections are the core practical result of the Designing Future Wheat (DFW), a BBSRC-funded consortium that spans eight research institutes and universities and aims to develop new wheat germplasm containing the next generation of key traits. The GRU has engaged in a tight collaborative effort with all major wheat breeders in the UK (9 breeding companies) to further evaluate the material and to facilitate its incorporation into the private sector breeding lines. "Breeder toolkit" is the integration and curation effort of plant material and information, originated from 25 research groups across the UK to ensure the long-lasting impact of DFW on future food security. |
| Sector | Agriculture, Food and Drink,Education |
| Impact Types | Cultural Economic Policy & public services |
| Description | Consultation on genebank's practices for phytosanitary regulation |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Policy Influence Type | Contribution to a national consultation/review |
| Impact | DEFRA is shifting for full cost recovery of phytosanitary inspection and consultation (which in the past was delivered as a governmental service). While the new regulations, costs and derived fees were made based on the breeding and seed industry need, they initially overlooked the need of the germplasm resources units in the UK. The grant holder joined the consultation to raise the needs of this sector and reported to the UKPGR group. The APHA (DEFRA) representative came to visit the Germplasm Resource Unit at the JIC to further study the genebanking sector needs |
| Description | Expert Panel on Digital Sequence Information (DSI) in context of international genetic resources and benefit sharing |
| Geographic Reach | Multiple continents/international |
| Policy Influence Type | Contribution to a national consultation/review |
| URL | https://www.cape.ac.uk/2022/01/06/defra-digital-sequence-information/ |
| Description | Participated in DEFRA requested study about benefit sharing mechanism of the Treaty on Plant Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Policy Influence Type | Contribution to a national consultation/review |
| URL | http://randd.defra.gov.uk/Document.aspx?Document=14998_2020-DSIEvidenceReview.pdf |
| Description | UK Plant Genetic Resources Group (UKPGRG) |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Policy Influence Type | Participation in a guidance/advisory committee |
| Impact | The UK Plant Genetic Resources Group (UKPGRG) serves as the technical forum to discuss and implement the conservation and use of plant genetic resources in the UK. The broad membership includes both curators of ex situ plant genetic resource centres, those involved in in situ conservation, and representatives from non-governmental organisation, the commercial plant breeding sector and Universities. Botanic gardens, the Forestry Commission and statutory collections are also represented. The Group provides advice and technical support to Government Departments on technical and policy matters which relate to the UK or the UK's international role in the area of plant genetic resources. |
| URL | http://ukpgrg.org |
| Description | Maintenance of the Pea Genebank to facilitate R&D needs |
| Amount | £248,700 (GBP) |
| Organisation | Department For Environment, Food And Rural Affairs (DEFRA) |
| Sector | Public |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Start | 07/2023 |
| End | 04/2027 |
| Description | Seeding Awards for novel crops for UK arable farming |
| Amount | £100,000 (GBP) |
| Organisation | Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC) |
| Sector | Public |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Start | 09/2022 |
| End | 02/2023 |
| Description | Title: Protect and promote Crop Wild Relatives. Call: HORIZON-CL6-2023-BIODIV-01 (Biodiversity and ecosystem services) Topic: HORIZON-CL6-2023-BIODIV-01-13 Proposal acronym: PRO-WILD |
| Amount | € 6,000,000 (EUR) |
| Funding ID | Proposal number: 101134965 |
| Organisation | European Commission |
| Sector | Public |
| Country | European Union (EU) |
| Start | 09/2023 |
| End | 10/2029 |
| Title | SeedStor |
| Description | SeedStor acts as the publicly available database for the seed collections held by the Germplasm Resources Unit (GRU) based at the John Innes Centre, Norwich, UK. The GRU curates germplasm collections of a range of temperate cereal, legume and Brassica crops and their associated wild relatives, as well as precise genetic stocks, near-isogenic lines and mapping populations. With >35,000 accessions of wheat, barley, oat and pea. SeedStor is a fully searchable system that allows our various collections to be browsed species by species through to complicated multipart phenotype criteria-driven queries. The results from these searches can be downloaded for later analysis or used to order germplasm via our shopping cart. The user community for SeedStor is the plant science research community, plant breeders, specialist growers, hobby farmers and amateur gardeners, and educationalists. Furthermore, SeedStor is much more than a database; it has been developed to act internally as a Germplasm Information Management System that allows team members to track and process germplasm requests, determine regeneration priorities, handle cost recovery and Material Transfer Agreement paperwork, manage the Seed Store holdings and easily report on a wide range of the aforementioned tasks. |
| Type Of Material | Database/Collection of data |
| Year Produced | 2017 |
| Provided To Others? | Yes |
| Impact | The work of JIC has become more efficient and more defective. 1. The unit capacity increased for seed dissemination 2. Automatic prioritization of stock for regeneration ensures that resources are accurately and effectively spent 3. Assosiated information is gradually uloaded to the database adding value to the curated germplasm collections 4. Users enjoy an Amazon like experiance when they order seeds. 5. We are able to comunicate and resieve feedbacks in automated manner to improve our work 6. Reports for the international bodies (EURISCO, FAO) are easily produced 7.Reports to founders funders are easily generated |
| URL | http://www.seedstor.ac.uk |
| Description | Custodianship and distribution of wheat Germplasm developed by The Wheat Genetic Improvement Network |
| Organisation | Rothamsted Research |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Sector | Academic/University |
| PI Contribution | Three newly developed germplasm collections were assembled and uploaded to the Germplasm Resources Unit public database. The germplasm and the associated genetic information is publicly available international for users. The collections include: 1) Paragon EMS mutant collection (6500 wheat lines with valuable field phenotype data). 2) Paragon Gamma Skim deletion collection (400 wheat lines with valuable genomic data) 3) Paragon Library collection (mapping populations with both phenotype and genotype associated information) |
| Collaborator Contribution | The new WGIN Core Project started in 2008 to provide genetic and molecular resources for research in other DEFRA projects and for a wide range of wheat research projects in the UK. The resources under development include wheat genetic stocks, mapping populations, molecular markers and marker technologies, trait identification and evaluation, genomics and bioinformatics. The twelve "core" research objectives and their interconnections are summarised in the figure below alongside the six research platform activities designed to promote the further integration of the funded work. |
| Impact | Thousands of newly developed wheat research and pre-breeding germplasm lines are made available for the UK and the international plant science and plant breeding communities. |
| Start Year | 2019 |
| Description | Custodianship and distribution of wheat Germplasm developed by The Wheat Genetic Improvement Network |
| Organisation | University of Nottingham |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Sector | Academic/University |
| PI Contribution | Three newly developed germplasm collections were assembled and uploaded to the Germplasm Resources Unit public database. The germplasm and the associated genetic information is publicly available international for users. The collections include: 1) Paragon EMS mutant collection (6500 wheat lines with valuable field phenotype data). 2) Paragon Gamma Skim deletion collection (400 wheat lines with valuable genomic data) 3) Paragon Library collection (mapping populations with both phenotype and genotype associated information) |
| Collaborator Contribution | The new WGIN Core Project started in 2008 to provide genetic and molecular resources for research in other DEFRA projects and for a wide range of wheat research projects in the UK. The resources under development include wheat genetic stocks, mapping populations, molecular markers and marker technologies, trait identification and evaluation, genomics and bioinformatics. The twelve "core" research objectives and their interconnections are summarised in the figure below alongside the six research platform activities designed to promote the further integration of the funded work. |
| Impact | Thousands of newly developed wheat research and pre-breeding germplasm lines are made available for the UK and the international plant science and plant breeding communities. |
| Start Year | 2019 |
| Description | Custodianship of germplasm underlying the international wheat Pan-Genome project |
| Organisation | Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada |
| Country | Canada |
| Sector | Public |
| PI Contribution | The GRU team is holding, conserving and distributing the precise original stocks of seeds of the cultivars that were used for generating the pan-genome of wheat (aka 10+ genome). By holding the original samples of seeds we allow the accurate continuation of the project and enable reproducibility of the results. |
| Collaborator Contribution | This is a multinational project with many contributors who took part in genomics, transcriptomic, bioinformatics, data interpretation and germplasm utilisation aiming to describe all the genes and the genetic variation within the species. |
| Impact | 1. A new dedicated online collection on SeedStor can be browsed allowing click-to-order seeds of the precise stocks used by the consortium. https://www.seedstor.ac.uk/search-browseaccessions.php?idCollection=35 2. A related Nature paper included the GRU as the data repository allowing access to the germplasm and facilitating utility of novel genomics in wheat breeding. 3. 40 seed requests from users in 14 countries were placed in 2020 since the collection was made publicly available. |
| Start Year | 2019 |
| Description | Custodianship of germplasm underlying the international wheat Pan-Genome project |
| Organisation | Helmholtz Zentrum München |
| Country | Germany |
| Sector | Academic/University |
| PI Contribution | The GRU team is holding, conserving and distributing the precise original stocks of seeds of the cultivars that were used for generating the pan-genome of wheat (aka 10+ genome). By holding the original samples of seeds we allow the accurate continuation of the project and enable reproducibility of the results. |
| Collaborator Contribution | This is a multinational project with many contributors who took part in genomics, transcriptomic, bioinformatics, data interpretation and germplasm utilisation aiming to describe all the genes and the genetic variation within the species. |
| Impact | 1. A new dedicated online collection on SeedStor can be browsed allowing click-to-order seeds of the precise stocks used by the consortium. https://www.seedstor.ac.uk/search-browseaccessions.php?idCollection=35 2. A related Nature paper included the GRU as the data repository allowing access to the germplasm and facilitating utility of novel genomics in wheat breeding. 3. 40 seed requests from users in 14 countries were placed in 2020 since the collection was made publicly available. |
| Start Year | 2019 |
| Description | Custodianship of germplasm underlying the international wheat Pan-Genome project |
| Organisation | University of Saskatchewan |
| Country | Canada |
| Sector | Academic/University |
| PI Contribution | The GRU team is holding, conserving and distributing the precise original stocks of seeds of the cultivars that were used for generating the pan-genome of wheat (aka 10+ genome). By holding the original samples of seeds we allow the accurate continuation of the project and enable reproducibility of the results. |
| Collaborator Contribution | This is a multinational project with many contributors who took part in genomics, transcriptomic, bioinformatics, data interpretation and germplasm utilisation aiming to describe all the genes and the genetic variation within the species. |
| Impact | 1. A new dedicated online collection on SeedStor can be browsed allowing click-to-order seeds of the precise stocks used by the consortium. https://www.seedstor.ac.uk/search-browseaccessions.php?idCollection=35 2. A related Nature paper included the GRU as the data repository allowing access to the germplasm and facilitating utility of novel genomics in wheat breeding. 3. 40 seed requests from users in 14 countries were placed in 2020 since the collection was made publicly available. |
| Start Year | 2019 |
| Description | Custodianship of germplasm underlying the international wheat Pan-Genome project |
| Organisation | University of Zurich |
| Country | Switzerland |
| Sector | Academic/University |
| PI Contribution | The GRU team is holding, conserving and distributing the precise original stocks of seeds of the cultivars that were used for generating the pan-genome of wheat (aka 10+ genome). By holding the original samples of seeds we allow the accurate continuation of the project and enable reproducibility of the results. |
| Collaborator Contribution | This is a multinational project with many contributors who took part in genomics, transcriptomic, bioinformatics, data interpretation and germplasm utilisation aiming to describe all the genes and the genetic variation within the species. |
| Impact | 1. A new dedicated online collection on SeedStor can be browsed allowing click-to-order seeds of the precise stocks used by the consortium. https://www.seedstor.ac.uk/search-browseaccessions.php?idCollection=35 2. A related Nature paper included the GRU as the data repository allowing access to the germplasm and facilitating utility of novel genomics in wheat breeding. 3. 40 seed requests from users in 14 countries were placed in 2020 since the collection was made publicly available. |
| Start Year | 2019 |
| Description | DFW Breeder toolkit collaboration |
| Organisation | John Innes Centre |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Sector | Academic/University |
| PI Contribution | The GRU is curating, regenerating and distributing a serious of new wheat collections named "Breeder toolkits". These collections are the core practical result of the Designing Future Wheat (DFW), a BBSRC funded consortium which spans eight research institutes and universities and aims to develop new wheat germplasm containing the next generation of key traits. The GRU further develops the "Breeder toolkit" plant material and related information in a tight collaborative effort with all major wheat breeders in the UK (LSBP, BAYER, RAGT, Elsoms, Syngenta, KWS, DSV, Limagrain) and the relevant DFW WP leaders. "Breeder toolkit" is an integration and curation effort of plant material and information originated from 25 research group across the UK to ensure the long-lasting impact of DFW for future food security. |
| Collaborator Contribution | The collaborators have been developing the plant material and the related information which the GRU is then curating, and regenerating to form an accessible seed collection and an accessible database for industrial use. |
| Impact | 1) A new collection of phenotyped plant material with proven advantageous genomic area is being finalised and soon will be active in the GRU database (SeedStor) 2) A total of 13 requests for newly developed plant material were delivered for breeding companies free of IP to be integrated in running breeding programs. |
| Start Year | 2017 |
| Description | DFW Breeder toolkit collaboration |
| Organisation | National Institute of Agronomy and Botany (NIAB) |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Sector | Academic/University |
| PI Contribution | The GRU is curating, regenerating and distributing a serious of new wheat collections named "Breeder toolkits". These collections are the core practical result of the Designing Future Wheat (DFW), a BBSRC funded consortium which spans eight research institutes and universities and aims to develop new wheat germplasm containing the next generation of key traits. The GRU further develops the "Breeder toolkit" plant material and related information in a tight collaborative effort with all major wheat breeders in the UK (LSBP, BAYER, RAGT, Elsoms, Syngenta, KWS, DSV, Limagrain) and the relevant DFW WP leaders. "Breeder toolkit" is an integration and curation effort of plant material and information originated from 25 research group across the UK to ensure the long-lasting impact of DFW for future food security. |
| Collaborator Contribution | The collaborators have been developing the plant material and the related information which the GRU is then curating, and regenerating to form an accessible seed collection and an accessible database for industrial use. |
| Impact | 1) A new collection of phenotyped plant material with proven advantageous genomic area is being finalised and soon will be active in the GRU database (SeedStor) 2) A total of 13 requests for newly developed plant material were delivered for breeding companies free of IP to be integrated in running breeding programs. |
| Start Year | 2017 |
| Description | DFW Breeder toolkit collaboration |
| Organisation | Nottingham Scientific |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Sector | Private |
| PI Contribution | The GRU is curating, regenerating and distributing a serious of new wheat collections named "Breeder toolkits". These collections are the core practical result of the Designing Future Wheat (DFW), a BBSRC funded consortium which spans eight research institutes and universities and aims to develop new wheat germplasm containing the next generation of key traits. The GRU further develops the "Breeder toolkit" plant material and related information in a tight collaborative effort with all major wheat breeders in the UK (LSBP, BAYER, RAGT, Elsoms, Syngenta, KWS, DSV, Limagrain) and the relevant DFW WP leaders. "Breeder toolkit" is an integration and curation effort of plant material and information originated from 25 research group across the UK to ensure the long-lasting impact of DFW for future food security. |
| Collaborator Contribution | The collaborators have been developing the plant material and the related information which the GRU is then curating, and regenerating to form an accessible seed collection and an accessible database for industrial use. |
| Impact | 1) A new collection of phenotyped plant material with proven advantageous genomic area is being finalised and soon will be active in the GRU database (SeedStor) 2) A total of 13 requests for newly developed plant material were delivered for breeding companies free of IP to be integrated in running breeding programs. |
| Start Year | 2017 |
| Description | DFW Breeder toolkit collaboration |
| Organisation | Rothamsted Research |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Sector | Academic/University |
| PI Contribution | The GRU is curating, regenerating and distributing a serious of new wheat collections named "Breeder toolkits". These collections are the core practical result of the Designing Future Wheat (DFW), a BBSRC funded consortium which spans eight research institutes and universities and aims to develop new wheat germplasm containing the next generation of key traits. The GRU further develops the "Breeder toolkit" plant material and related information in a tight collaborative effort with all major wheat breeders in the UK (LSBP, BAYER, RAGT, Elsoms, Syngenta, KWS, DSV, Limagrain) and the relevant DFW WP leaders. "Breeder toolkit" is an integration and curation effort of plant material and information originated from 25 research group across the UK to ensure the long-lasting impact of DFW for future food security. |
| Collaborator Contribution | The collaborators have been developing the plant material and the related information which the GRU is then curating, and regenerating to form an accessible seed collection and an accessible database for industrial use. |
| Impact | 1) A new collection of phenotyped plant material with proven advantageous genomic area is being finalised and soon will be active in the GRU database (SeedStor) 2) A total of 13 requests for newly developed plant material were delivered for breeding companies free of IP to be integrated in running breeding programs. |
| Start Year | 2017 |
| Description | DFW Breeder toolkit collaboration |
| Organisation | University of Bristol |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Sector | Academic/University |
| PI Contribution | The GRU is curating, regenerating and distributing a serious of new wheat collections named "Breeder toolkits". These collections are the core practical result of the Designing Future Wheat (DFW), a BBSRC funded consortium which spans eight research institutes and universities and aims to develop new wheat germplasm containing the next generation of key traits. The GRU further develops the "Breeder toolkit" plant material and related information in a tight collaborative effort with all major wheat breeders in the UK (LSBP, BAYER, RAGT, Elsoms, Syngenta, KWS, DSV, Limagrain) and the relevant DFW WP leaders. "Breeder toolkit" is an integration and curation effort of plant material and information originated from 25 research group across the UK to ensure the long-lasting impact of DFW for future food security. |
| Collaborator Contribution | The collaborators have been developing the plant material and the related information which the GRU is then curating, and regenerating to form an accessible seed collection and an accessible database for industrial use. |
| Impact | 1) A new collection of phenotyped plant material with proven advantageous genomic area is being finalised and soon will be active in the GRU database (SeedStor) 2) A total of 13 requests for newly developed plant material were delivered for breeding companies free of IP to be integrated in running breeding programs. |
| Start Year | 2017 |
| Description | DFW WP4 |
| Organisation | EMBL European Bioinformatics Institute (EMBL - EBI) |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Sector | Academic/University |
| PI Contribution | Designing Future Wheat (DFW) is a BBSRC funded consortium which spans eight research institutes and universities and aims to develop new wheat germplasm containing the next generation of key traits. The GRU is not an integral funded partner of the consortium. The GRU collaborates with WP4 for data access and analysis. The core of this collaboration is shearing GRU database and management system (SeedStor) software code with WP4. In a collaborative effort, APIs were developed to enable automatic data harvesting from SeedStor. Thus, DFW consortium end users would use the information stored on SeedStor DB behind the scene when using the consortium germplasm related data |
| Collaborator Contribution | DFW WP4 developed the necessary tools to enable automatic data harvesting from SeedStor. This added feature could be used by the GRU in the future to collaborate with other potential future users. DFW WP4 links genomic and phenomic data and data sets to the underlined relevant germplasm which will be maintained by GRU in the future, increasing the UK national small grain collection value. |
| Impact | Interdisciplinary: Plant science and Computer sciences Output: The necessary set of functions and procedures were developed and coded into SeedStor. These will allow the creation of applications that access the SeedStor curated data and use it in DFW newly constructed operating system. |
| Start Year | 2018 |
| Description | DFW WP4 |
| Organisation | Earlham Institute |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Sector | Academic/University |
| PI Contribution | Designing Future Wheat (DFW) is a BBSRC funded consortium which spans eight research institutes and universities and aims to develop new wheat germplasm containing the next generation of key traits. The GRU is not an integral funded partner of the consortium. The GRU collaborates with WP4 for data access and analysis. The core of this collaboration is shearing GRU database and management system (SeedStor) software code with WP4. In a collaborative effort, APIs were developed to enable automatic data harvesting from SeedStor. Thus, DFW consortium end users would use the information stored on SeedStor DB behind the scene when using the consortium germplasm related data |
| Collaborator Contribution | DFW WP4 developed the necessary tools to enable automatic data harvesting from SeedStor. This added feature could be used by the GRU in the future to collaborate with other potential future users. DFW WP4 links genomic and phenomic data and data sets to the underlined relevant germplasm which will be maintained by GRU in the future, increasing the UK national small grain collection value. |
| Impact | Interdisciplinary: Plant science and Computer sciences Output: The necessary set of functions and procedures were developed and coded into SeedStor. These will allow the creation of applications that access the SeedStor curated data and use it in DFW newly constructed operating system. |
| Start Year | 2018 |
| Description | DFW WP4 |
| Organisation | Rothamsted Research |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Sector | Academic/University |
| PI Contribution | Designing Future Wheat (DFW) is a BBSRC funded consortium which spans eight research institutes and universities and aims to develop new wheat germplasm containing the next generation of key traits. The GRU is not an integral funded partner of the consortium. The GRU collaborates with WP4 for data access and analysis. The core of this collaboration is shearing GRU database and management system (SeedStor) software code with WP4. In a collaborative effort, APIs were developed to enable automatic data harvesting from SeedStor. Thus, DFW consortium end users would use the information stored on SeedStor DB behind the scene when using the consortium germplasm related data |
| Collaborator Contribution | DFW WP4 developed the necessary tools to enable automatic data harvesting from SeedStor. This added feature could be used by the GRU in the future to collaborate with other potential future users. DFW WP4 links genomic and phenomic data and data sets to the underlined relevant germplasm which will be maintained by GRU in the future, increasing the UK national small grain collection value. |
| Impact | Interdisciplinary: Plant science and Computer sciences Output: The necessary set of functions and procedures were developed and coded into SeedStor. These will allow the creation of applications that access the SeedStor curated data and use it in DFW newly constructed operating system. |
| Start Year | 2018 |
| Description | DFW WP4 |
| Organisation | University of Bristol |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Sector | Academic/University |
| PI Contribution | Designing Future Wheat (DFW) is a BBSRC funded consortium which spans eight research institutes and universities and aims to develop new wheat germplasm containing the next generation of key traits. The GRU is not an integral funded partner of the consortium. The GRU collaborates with WP4 for data access and analysis. The core of this collaboration is shearing GRU database and management system (SeedStor) software code with WP4. In a collaborative effort, APIs were developed to enable automatic data harvesting from SeedStor. Thus, DFW consortium end users would use the information stored on SeedStor DB behind the scene when using the consortium germplasm related data |
| Collaborator Contribution | DFW WP4 developed the necessary tools to enable automatic data harvesting from SeedStor. This added feature could be used by the GRU in the future to collaborate with other potential future users. DFW WP4 links genomic and phenomic data and data sets to the underlined relevant germplasm which will be maintained by GRU in the future, increasing the UK national small grain collection value. |
| Impact | Interdisciplinary: Plant science and Computer sciences Output: The necessary set of functions and procedures were developed and coded into SeedStor. These will allow the creation of applications that access the SeedStor curated data and use it in DFW newly constructed operating system. |
| Start Year | 2018 |
| Description | Defra Pulse Crop Genetic Improvement Network (PCGIN) |
| Organisation | Aberystwyth University |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Sector | Academic/University |
| PI Contribution | The undersigned lead PI on the 'Germplasm Resources Unit' National Capability grant (BBS/E/J/000PR8000) is a member of the PCGIN management team to support any aspect directly linked to the germplasm supply and germplasm curation in planning and running of PCGIN and its network activities. A central goal of the tight collaboration is to correctly plan activities related to future custodianship and distribution of germplasm arising from PCGIN activities and to increase PCGIN future positive impact on legume use in agriculture through long term curation and provision via the GRU |
| Collaborator Contribution | The Pulse Crop Genetic Improvement Network (PCGIN), funded by Defra, is a platform that serves the process of legume crop improvement in the UK. It establishes the route by which scientific resources, results and knowledge are delivered to breeders, producers and end users, providing a link between these groups and the research base to achieve added value for pulse crops. It provides resources, expertise and understanding that are drawn upon by both public and commercial sectors in breeding, analysis, and in the definition and improvement of product quality relating to both commercial and public goods. It promotes and executes the translation of genomic research tools to crop improvement, consistent with both the needs of UK industry, and Defra objectives relating to sustainable agriculture. Furthermore, it provides links with, and involvement in, European pulse crop research programmes. Crop diversification and lowering inputs are major drivers for sustainable agricultural policy. Pulse crops can contribute positively to these two policy goals because, as a consequence of biological nitrogen fixation, they require minimal inputs and are less environmentally polluting that other crops such as cereals or brassicas. They act as a very effective break crop in our cereal dominated rotation. However, there is a need to make legume crops more attractive to farmers, and to increase the market value of their product. These two are the major strands of PCGIN research activity. Limitations to growing pulse crops in rotations are being addressed through research aimed at improving crop performance and reliability. The genetic basis for agronomic traits such as standing ability, yield and disease will be established. Pulse crops are also an efficient source of plant-derived protein for food and animal feed. Increasing the market value of seed products will depend on genetic studies that define and underpin the traits that limit seed quality. |
| Impact | Main output include the improvement of member knowledge which allow better germplasm circulation within PCGIN including swift and full fulfilment of the legal and phytosanitary needs. The collaboration is multidisciplinary as member of the management team include seed quality scientists in addition to phytologists, plant physiologists, geneticists, growers and breeders from the public and the private sector in addition to government sector (representation of DEFRA ). |
| Start Year | 2018 |
| Description | Defra Pulse Crop Genetic Improvement Network (PCGIN) |
| Organisation | National Institute of Agronomy and Botany (NIAB) |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Sector | Academic/University |
| PI Contribution | The undersigned lead PI on the 'Germplasm Resources Unit' National Capability grant (BBS/E/J/000PR8000) is a member of the PCGIN management team to support any aspect directly linked to the germplasm supply and germplasm curation in planning and running of PCGIN and its network activities. A central goal of the tight collaboration is to correctly plan activities related to future custodianship and distribution of germplasm arising from PCGIN activities and to increase PCGIN future positive impact on legume use in agriculture through long term curation and provision via the GRU |
| Collaborator Contribution | The Pulse Crop Genetic Improvement Network (PCGIN), funded by Defra, is a platform that serves the process of legume crop improvement in the UK. It establishes the route by which scientific resources, results and knowledge are delivered to breeders, producers and end users, providing a link between these groups and the research base to achieve added value for pulse crops. It provides resources, expertise and understanding that are drawn upon by both public and commercial sectors in breeding, analysis, and in the definition and improvement of product quality relating to both commercial and public goods. It promotes and executes the translation of genomic research tools to crop improvement, consistent with both the needs of UK industry, and Defra objectives relating to sustainable agriculture. Furthermore, it provides links with, and involvement in, European pulse crop research programmes. Crop diversification and lowering inputs are major drivers for sustainable agricultural policy. Pulse crops can contribute positively to these two policy goals because, as a consequence of biological nitrogen fixation, they require minimal inputs and are less environmentally polluting that other crops such as cereals or brassicas. They act as a very effective break crop in our cereal dominated rotation. However, there is a need to make legume crops more attractive to farmers, and to increase the market value of their product. These two are the major strands of PCGIN research activity. Limitations to growing pulse crops in rotations are being addressed through research aimed at improving crop performance and reliability. The genetic basis for agronomic traits such as standing ability, yield and disease will be established. Pulse crops are also an efficient source of plant-derived protein for food and animal feed. Increasing the market value of seed products will depend on genetic studies that define and underpin the traits that limit seed quality. |
| Impact | Main output include the improvement of member knowledge which allow better germplasm circulation within PCGIN including swift and full fulfilment of the legal and phytosanitary needs. The collaboration is multidisciplinary as member of the management team include seed quality scientists in addition to phytologists, plant physiologists, geneticists, growers and breeders from the public and the private sector in addition to government sector (representation of DEFRA ). |
| Start Year | 2018 |
| Description | Defra Pulse Crop Genetic Improvement Network (PCGIN) |
| Organisation | Processors and Growers Research Organisation (PGRO) |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Sector | Charity/Non Profit |
| PI Contribution | The undersigned lead PI on the 'Germplasm Resources Unit' National Capability grant (BBS/E/J/000PR8000) is a member of the PCGIN management team to support any aspect directly linked to the germplasm supply and germplasm curation in planning and running of PCGIN and its network activities. A central goal of the tight collaboration is to correctly plan activities related to future custodianship and distribution of germplasm arising from PCGIN activities and to increase PCGIN future positive impact on legume use in agriculture through long term curation and provision via the GRU |
| Collaborator Contribution | The Pulse Crop Genetic Improvement Network (PCGIN), funded by Defra, is a platform that serves the process of legume crop improvement in the UK. It establishes the route by which scientific resources, results and knowledge are delivered to breeders, producers and end users, providing a link between these groups and the research base to achieve added value for pulse crops. It provides resources, expertise and understanding that are drawn upon by both public and commercial sectors in breeding, analysis, and in the definition and improvement of product quality relating to both commercial and public goods. It promotes and executes the translation of genomic research tools to crop improvement, consistent with both the needs of UK industry, and Defra objectives relating to sustainable agriculture. Furthermore, it provides links with, and involvement in, European pulse crop research programmes. Crop diversification and lowering inputs are major drivers for sustainable agricultural policy. Pulse crops can contribute positively to these two policy goals because, as a consequence of biological nitrogen fixation, they require minimal inputs and are less environmentally polluting that other crops such as cereals or brassicas. They act as a very effective break crop in our cereal dominated rotation. However, there is a need to make legume crops more attractive to farmers, and to increase the market value of their product. These two are the major strands of PCGIN research activity. Limitations to growing pulse crops in rotations are being addressed through research aimed at improving crop performance and reliability. The genetic basis for agronomic traits such as standing ability, yield and disease will be established. Pulse crops are also an efficient source of plant-derived protein for food and animal feed. Increasing the market value of seed products will depend on genetic studies that define and underpin the traits that limit seed quality. |
| Impact | Main output include the improvement of member knowledge which allow better germplasm circulation within PCGIN including swift and full fulfilment of the legal and phytosanitary needs. The collaboration is multidisciplinary as member of the management team include seed quality scientists in addition to phytologists, plant physiologists, geneticists, growers and breeders from the public and the private sector in addition to government sector (representation of DEFRA ). |
| Start Year | 2018 |
| Description | Defra Pulse Crop Genetic Improvement Network (PCGIN) |
| Organisation | University of Reading |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Sector | Academic/University |
| PI Contribution | The undersigned lead PI on the 'Germplasm Resources Unit' National Capability grant (BBS/E/J/000PR8000) is a member of the PCGIN management team to support any aspect directly linked to the germplasm supply and germplasm curation in planning and running of PCGIN and its network activities. A central goal of the tight collaboration is to correctly plan activities related to future custodianship and distribution of germplasm arising from PCGIN activities and to increase PCGIN future positive impact on legume use in agriculture through long term curation and provision via the GRU |
| Collaborator Contribution | The Pulse Crop Genetic Improvement Network (PCGIN), funded by Defra, is a platform that serves the process of legume crop improvement in the UK. It establishes the route by which scientific resources, results and knowledge are delivered to breeders, producers and end users, providing a link between these groups and the research base to achieve added value for pulse crops. It provides resources, expertise and understanding that are drawn upon by both public and commercial sectors in breeding, analysis, and in the definition and improvement of product quality relating to both commercial and public goods. It promotes and executes the translation of genomic research tools to crop improvement, consistent with both the needs of UK industry, and Defra objectives relating to sustainable agriculture. Furthermore, it provides links with, and involvement in, European pulse crop research programmes. Crop diversification and lowering inputs are major drivers for sustainable agricultural policy. Pulse crops can contribute positively to these two policy goals because, as a consequence of biological nitrogen fixation, they require minimal inputs and are less environmentally polluting that other crops such as cereals or brassicas. They act as a very effective break crop in our cereal dominated rotation. However, there is a need to make legume crops more attractive to farmers, and to increase the market value of their product. These two are the major strands of PCGIN research activity. Limitations to growing pulse crops in rotations are being addressed through research aimed at improving crop performance and reliability. The genetic basis for agronomic traits such as standing ability, yield and disease will be established. Pulse crops are also an efficient source of plant-derived protein for food and animal feed. Increasing the market value of seed products will depend on genetic studies that define and underpin the traits that limit seed quality. |
| Impact | Main output include the improvement of member knowledge which allow better germplasm circulation within PCGIN including swift and full fulfilment of the legal and phytosanitary needs. The collaboration is multidisciplinary as member of the management team include seed quality scientists in addition to phytologists, plant physiologists, geneticists, growers and breeders from the public and the private sector in addition to government sector (representation of DEFRA ). |
| Start Year | 2018 |
| Description | European Evaluation Network (EVA) of Wheat and Barley |
| Organisation | IPK Gatersleben |
| Country | Germany |
| Sector | Private |
| PI Contribution | 1. Participating in ECPGR Workshop for the establishment of a European Evaluation Network (EVA) on wheat and barley, 2. Choosing instrumental wheat diversity greatly needed to compete the objectives of EVA on time. The germplasm was supplied acording to teh climatic regions of Europe based on previous studies in JIC. The European Evaluation Network (EVA, 2019-2022) project funded by the German government. Each year a different batch of European genebank accessions will be multiplied and then evaluated in multiple locations for disease resistance. The data will be provided to EURISCO and made widely available after an embargo period, to incentivise the collaboration of private breeders. The GRU, together with IPK were key for the project start since other European genebanks do not hold collections amenable for genotyping and thus require two more years of preparation. The GRU agreed to alleviate the cost which would be recorded by European Cooperative Programme for Plant Genetic Resources (ECPGR) as a UK contribution to the cooperative project. The supplied germplasm has gone through single seed descend and is stable enough to be immediately implemented |
| Collaborator Contribution | Other groups has multiplied the germplasm to levels allowing screening. Next, other groups will evaluate the germplasm to the agreed disease resistance traits. |
| Impact | 1. Vibrant network for collaboration on wheat and barley was established 2.360 Single Seed Derived landrace of wheat from the Watkins collection were chosen according to predicted climate adaptation 3. The lines are currently being multiplied by the industrial partners in the programme |
| Start Year | 2019 |
| Description | European Evaluation Network (EVA) of Wheat and Barley |
| Organisation | The European Cooperative Programme for Plant Genetic Resources |
| Sector | Academic/University |
| PI Contribution | 1. Participating in ECPGR Workshop for the establishment of a European Evaluation Network (EVA) on wheat and barley, 2. Choosing instrumental wheat diversity greatly needed to compete the objectives of EVA on time. The germplasm was supplied acording to teh climatic regions of Europe based on previous studies in JIC. The European Evaluation Network (EVA, 2019-2022) project funded by the German government. Each year a different batch of European genebank accessions will be multiplied and then evaluated in multiple locations for disease resistance. The data will be provided to EURISCO and made widely available after an embargo period, to incentivise the collaboration of private breeders. The GRU, together with IPK were key for the project start since other European genebanks do not hold collections amenable for genotyping and thus require two more years of preparation. The GRU agreed to alleviate the cost which would be recorded by European Cooperative Programme for Plant Genetic Resources (ECPGR) as a UK contribution to the cooperative project. The supplied germplasm has gone through single seed descend and is stable enough to be immediately implemented |
| Collaborator Contribution | Other groups has multiplied the germplasm to levels allowing screening. Next, other groups will evaluate the germplasm to the agreed disease resistance traits. |
| Impact | 1. Vibrant network for collaboration on wheat and barley was established 2.360 Single Seed Derived landrace of wheat from the Watkins collection were chosen according to predicted climate adaptation 3. The lines are currently being multiplied by the industrial partners in the programme |
| Start Year | 2019 |
| Description | Exome capture |
| Organisation | John Innes Centre |
| Department | Department of Crop Genetics |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Sector | Private |
| PI Contribution | The GRU team curates, regenerates, monitors viability and disseminates an in-silico TILLING population collection of 4x Kronos and 6X Cadenza wheat lines. All accessions, containing a mutation in any gene of interest can be ordered online via SeedStor database. |
| Collaborator Contribution | The collection is comprised of 4x Kronos and 6X Cadenza wheat lines which were EMS-mutagenized, and forward developed as SSD lines from Rothamsted Research (Cadenza) and University of California, Davis (Kronos) sequenced by exome capure (Cristobal Uauy group, JIC, for Cadenza, and J Dubcovsky group, UC Davis, for Kronos). Genome Browser is available at and is linked to the seedstor where germplasm can be ordered. |
| Impact | The collaboration adds value to the developed plant material; the linked databases and the professional curation, regeneration and distribution allows this high value plant material to be well distributed globally. Indeed 212 seed requests from 23 countries took place since the collaborative effort began. |
| Start Year | 2017 |
| Description | Exome capture |
| Organisation | Rothamsted Research |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Sector | Academic/University |
| PI Contribution | The GRU team curates, regenerates, monitors viability and disseminates an in-silico TILLING population collection of 4x Kronos and 6X Cadenza wheat lines. All accessions, containing a mutation in any gene of interest can be ordered online via SeedStor database. |
| Collaborator Contribution | The collection is comprised of 4x Kronos and 6X Cadenza wheat lines which were EMS-mutagenized, and forward developed as SSD lines from Rothamsted Research (Cadenza) and University of California, Davis (Kronos) sequenced by exome capure (Cristobal Uauy group, JIC, for Cadenza, and J Dubcovsky group, UC Davis, for Kronos). Genome Browser is available at and is linked to the seedstor where germplasm can be ordered. |
| Impact | The collaboration adds value to the developed plant material; the linked databases and the professional curation, regeneration and distribution allows this high value plant material to be well distributed globally. Indeed 212 seed requests from 23 countries took place since the collaborative effort began. |
| Start Year | 2017 |
| Description | Low cost DNA identification of crop varieties |
| Organisation | University of Bristol |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Sector | Academic/University |
| PI Contribution | The GRU would supply DNA samples of 1000 wheat variety and several hundred DNA samples of barley and peas. |
| Collaborator Contribution | Leading the research on genotyping and bioinformatics |
| Impact | Application to BBSRC follow-on grant to generate a tool for low-cost DNA identification of crop varieties. |
| Start Year | 2020 |
| Description | Mendel_seq |
| Organisation | Agricultural Genomics Institute at Shenzhen |
| Country | China |
| Sector | Public |
| PI Contribution | Co-leading a work on genebank genomics in Peas. Choosing and providing the germplasm, DNA and morphological characteristic data |
| Collaborator Contribution | Co-leading a work on genebank genomics in Peas. Generating sequences and providing bioinformatics and genomic data. |
| Impact | Plans were made for whole-genome re-sequencing of ca. 700 accessions of peas from the JIC-GRU collection and to associate them with the GRU historic and contemporary phenotype for gene discovery. |
| Start Year | 2020 |
| Description | Open Wild Wheat Consortium Ae. tauschii Diversity Panel |
| Organisation | Open Wild Wheat |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Sector | Charity/Non Profit |
| PI Contribution | The GRU team has incorporated the novel assembled Open Wild Wheat Consortium Ae. tauschii Diversity Panel into SeedStor. This will allow end users to easily access the germplasm and the associated passport information and expedition information. The GRU has agreed to distribute the seeds within and outside the consortium and to handle the necessary ATMs and phytosanitary needed for swift and legal germplasm distribution. |
| Collaborator Contribution | The partner assembled the collection from distinct germplasm collections. The partner allowed the entire bio-science community access to the material and the R-gene sequences The partner bulked up the seeds to an amount that allows distribution to start |
| Impact | 1. Seeds of the sequenced wild wheat Ae. Tauschii Diversity panel are curated now in condition allowing over 30 years of longevity (preventing possible loss of diversity in nature) 2.. Seeds and associated passport data is now available on-line seed for ordering via SeedStor: https://www.seedstor.ac.uk/search-browsecollections.php |
| Start Year | 2018 |
| Title | SeedStor: A Germplasm Information Management System and Public Database |
| Description | SeedStor (https://www.seedstor.ac.uk) acts as the publicly available database for the seed collections held by the Germplasm Resources Unit (GRU) based at the John Innes Centre, Norwich, UK. SeedStor is a fully searchable system that allows our various collections to be browsed species by species through to complicated multipart phenotype criteria-driven queries. The results from these searches can be downloaded for later analysis or used to order germplasm via our shopping cart. The user community for SeedStor is the plant science research community, plant breeders, specialist growers, hobby farmers and amateur gardeners, and educationalists. Furthermore, SeedStor is much more than a database; it has been developed to act internally as a Germplasm Information Management System that allows team members to track and process germplasm requests, determine regeneration priorities, handle cost recovery and Material Transfer Agreement paperwork, manage the Seed Store holdings and easily report on a wide range of the aforementioned tasks. |
| Type Of Technology | Software |
| Year Produced | 2017 |
| Impact | Internally, embedding SeedStor in the GRU work routines allow the team members and GRU manager to track and process of germplasm requests much more efficiently then before. It helps to determine plant regeneration priorities in an accurate manner and to handle cost recovery and Material Transfer Agreement paperwork swiftly. Service was improved as users can easily brows the collections and search for their accession of interest. SeedStor code is currently used in collaborative effort to enable future computerised use of the stored information for the use of Developing Future Wheat consortium |
| URL | https://www.seedstor.ac.uk/ |
| Description | A poster and stand in a Genetics Society Event |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
| Results and Impact | The GRU has presented an Exhibition stand at Gen Soc 100yrs celebration. We have counted over 50 participants who came to discuss the presented work |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2019 |
| URL | https://genetics.org.uk/centenary/centenary-scientific-meeting/ |
| Description | A regional event ran by the Royal Norfolk Agriculture association |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | Regional |
| Primary Audience | Schools |
| Results and Impact | The GRU presented an exhibition stand to outreach to thousands of school children (year 4 - year 9), their parents, teacher and the regional community. The importance of Plant conservation for future food security was the key message. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2019 |
| URL | https://springfling.rnaa.org.uk/ |
| Description | A visit from the Head of Agriculture at Gresham School, James Beales |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | Local |
| Primary Audience | Schools |
| Results and Impact | James Beales the Head of Agriculture at Gresham School Holt is interested in forging links with the JIC. An opportunity has arisen at the School to run some field trials and so we discussed seed supply. This was part of wider tour taking in Hort Services, Field Trials, and JIC Comms |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2023 |
| Description | A visit of a gardening club |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | Local |
| Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
| Results and Impact | The GRU participated in hosting a group of gardening club in the John Innes centre. The group expressed interest in seed maintenance and sharing of germplasm |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2019 |
| Description | A visit of postdoctoral researchers from Rothamsted research centre |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
| Results and Impact | Two post doctoral researchers were given a tour and a visit in theGRU to disseminate best practice of germpalsm curation |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2019 |
| Description | A visit to GRU |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
| Results and Impact | A group of 20 early career scientist and plant breeder visited the GRU to learn about best practice of germplasm curation and about availability of GRU services. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2019 |
| Description | A workshop: Transatlantic Sessions on Conservation and Organic Agriculture |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Industry/Business |
| Results and Impact | A GRU team member (Simon Orford) presented a presentation about the potential use of our curated land-races of wheat and barley in the developing industry of "Organic breeding"; Breeding plants for the organic sector. The workshop brought together farmers and researchers from both sides of the Atlantic with a common interest in crops for conventional, conservation and organic agriculture. The purpose of the workshop is to consider how we might work together to improve the choice of crop cultivars, preserve soil health and add value to products. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2018 |
| Description | An update for GRU activities was given at the DFW Nomination meeting to project partners at KWS Breeding Co. |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A formal working group, expert panel or dialogue |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Industry/Business |
| Results and Impact | An update on GRU activities was given to the DFW group. In particular the development of the DFW Tool Kits |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2023 |
| Description | Artistic Film Crew featured the gene-bank routines in a global context |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A broadcast e.g. TV/radio/film/podcast (other than news/press) |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
| Results and Impact | A film called Precarious Seed, an artistic documentary ork on seed preservation around the globe followed the GRU routine. The final product was yet to be produced. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2019 |
| Description | Association of Applied Biologist Conference |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A formal working group, expert panel or dialogue |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
| Results and Impact | The GRU has organised an international conference titled Adding Value to field Crop Genetic resources. It included a Visit in teh GRU and in several JIC technological platforms |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2019 |
| URL | https://www.jic.ac.uk/app/uploads/2019/05/Association-of-Applied-Biologists-April-2019.pdf |
| Description | Attended and presented at Agri-Tech E Seeding Awards event on promotion of Novel Crops |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Industry/Business |
| Results and Impact | GRU reported on the Seeding Award funding that has helped us investigate durum, lentils and chickpeas. Noam gave a 5 min Flash presentation and Noam and Simon demonstrated on a Safari Networking stand. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2023 |
| Description | BBC Gardeners Question Time |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A press release, press conference or response to a media enquiry/interview |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
| Results and Impact | Exhibited a GRU stand in the JIC Conference Centre for the BBC Gardeners Question Time live recording for the weekly radio program. Aimed at the audience members as they arrived for the Show. Approx 250 members of the public attended |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2018 |
| URL | http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b006qp2f |
| Description | BTK meeting with industry in Bayrr |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A formal working group, expert panel or dialogue |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Industry/Business |
| Results and Impact | As part of Designing Future Wheat consortium, WP leaders and all UK wheat breeding representatives met in Bayer offices in Cambridge research park. A member of the GRU group (Simon Orford) presented the Breeder toolkit consent and main findings for which germplasm is curated. The purpose of the meeting was to agree with industry which of the new developed germplasm should be further developed under the breeder toolkit umbrella. Industry agreed to test the new material and to share agreed results for lines which will be then curated in the GRU. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2018 |
| Description | Breeder toolkit trail sites |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an open day or visit at my research institution |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Industry/Business |
| Results and Impact | The GRU team accompanied by DFW WP3 scientists visited 8 field trail sites in the UK and one site in Germany to examine and discuss in the field the practice and emerging result from the multi-site trail of the Breeder toolkit newly developed lines of wheat. We have visited experiment sites in LSPB, Limagrain, Syngenta, BASF, Elsoms, RAGT, DSV participating breeding companies and JIC and Rothamsted reaserch stations. The annual tour was organised by the GRU breeder toolkit coordinator in collaboration with Designing Future Wheat, WP3 and included 35 breeders and scientists. two members of GRU and DFW WP3 leader had toured all the UK sites. the GRU lead PI has also visited the site in Germany. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2018,2019 |
| URL | https://designingfuturewheat.org.uk/breeders-toolkit/ |
| Description | Breeders open day at JIC |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Industry/Business |
| Results and Impact | Breeders and stockholders from across the breeding industry visited JIC field station greenhouses and the Germplasm Resource Unit. Followups included ordering of seeds and information by new users, and a story in the Farmers' Guardian |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2018 |
| Description | CAAS AGIS Visit |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
| Results and Impact | To improve the GRU strategic global partnership, we have partisipated in hosting a group of leading scientists from AGIS CAAS at Shenzhen China. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2019 |
| Description | Colman School year 6 pupil visit |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an open day or visit at my research institution |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | Local |
| Primary Audience | Schools |
| Results and Impact | 60 pupils attended a school visit to the Germplasm Resources Unit and the Horticultural Services Unit at the institute, which sparked questions and discussion afterwards, and the school reported increased interest in related subject areas |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2022 |
| Description | DEFRA Genetic Resources senior policy advisor visit |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an open day or visit at my research institution |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Policymakers/politicians |
| Results and Impact | The GRU research and conservation vision, approaches and methods were demonstrated and discussed with a DEFRA senior policy advisor and her group overseeing policies relating to plant and animal genetic resources in the UK. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2021 |
| Description | DFW training course |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Postgraduate students |
| Results and Impact | The UK national pre-breeding program, Designing future wheat JIC team was conducting a week long academic course for early-career wheat scientists and wheat breeders. 1. The GRU PI gave a theoretical talk in the course regarding wheat genetic resource 2. A GRU team member demonstrated wheat crosses techniques in an hand on workshop manner 3. GRU supplied plant material for other workshops in the course |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2018 |
| Description | Designing Future Wheat Course GRU Presentation |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Postgraduate students |
| Results and Impact | A GRU presentation delivered to the delegates of the DFW annual course. Part lecture room part GRU tour. Sixteen attendees were highly engaged generating a lot of discussion. Most will be potential clients for the future coming from industry and academia |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2022 |
| Description | Dorothea de Winton Opening |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an open day or visit at my research institution |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
| Results and Impact | The GRU has organised Field talk and a presentation as part of the opening event |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2019 |
| URL | https://www.jic.ac.uk/event/dorothea-de-winton-field-station-official-opening/ |
| Description | Elsoms Seeds, breeder visit |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an open day or visit at my research institution |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Industry/Business |
| Results and Impact | A group of commercial breeders visited the GRU from Elsoms Seeds Ltd. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2018 |
| Description | Flying farmers group visit |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an open day or visit at my research institution |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
| Results and Impact | A visit of the flaying farmer association to the GRU as part of a JIC day visit |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2018 |
| Description | GRU hosted a visit by BASF (3 participants) which was organized through JIC Comms Jon Clarke and David Roberts |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A formal working group, expert panel or dialogue |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Industry/Business |
| Results and Impact | GRU hosted visitors from BASF as part of a wider site wide tour for BASF. Noam and Simon discussed the GRU and its links to Researchers, other Genebanks and Industry with the visitors |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2023 |
| Description | German brewing industry tour visit orginized by Chris Ridout |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Industry/Business |
| Results and Impact | Commercial visitors from RMI Analytical group representing the German brewing industry visited the GRU as we are renown for supplying seeds of heritage verities for the brewing industry |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2018 |
| Description | Guided tour of GRU |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
| Results and Impact | A tour and explanation of GRU work was given to visiting scientist Xiaoming Wang. Xiaoming has been in post with Uauy group for one year and is about to return to Northwest University China. He is keen to keep contact due to recently acquiring Watseq hexaploid landrace seed from Shifeng Cheng AGIS- CAAS |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2022 |
| Description | Guided tour of GRU for Martin Kaufmann regarding NGI funding. Conducted with Felicity Perry of JIC Comms |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A formal working group, expert panel or dialogue |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | Local |
| Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
| Results and Impact | As part of the NGI programme, we have begun working with an external consultant to develop the fundraising activities and workstream, and to build a strategy to meet the funding gap in the programme. The consultant, Martin Kaufman will be visiting Norwich next week, to familiarise himself with the site, to meet people and to find out as much as he can to help him shape our strategy moving forwards. Martin was touring the JIC and a request was made to stop off at the GRU. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2023 |
| Description | Guided tour of GRU for visiting group of retired Farmers |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | Local |
| Primary Audience | Industry/Business |
| Results and Impact | A request made through JIC Comms (Felicity Perry) to host a visiting group of retired farmers as part of a wider JIC tour |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2023 |
| Description | Heritage plants and information supplied to the Royal Norfolk Show |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | Regional |
| Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
| Results and Impact | To celebrate 175 years of the Royal Norfolk Show a request was made to supply wheat plants that were discovered stored in a display cabinet at Holkham Hall Estate north Norfolk. The three lines are held in BBSRC small grains collection. They are Golden Drop (1837), Talavera De Belle Vue (1815) and Red Lammas (1830 - but mentioned as early as 1660). Arranged through ex EDP Agricultural Correspondent Michael Pollitt |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2022 |
| Description | Hosted a visit by The Famers Weekly team of Andrew Meredith (Editor), Charlie Reeve (News), David Jones (Arable). Also Adrian Galvin from JIC Comms |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A press release, press conference or response to a media enquiry/interview |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Media (as a channel to the public) |
| Results and Impact | A visiting group from The Famers Weekly magazine stopped by the GRU as part of a wider JIC visit. Along with Liz Sayers we demonstrated the GRU and how we interact with the Breeding Industry through DFW Tool Kits |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2022 |
| Description | Interviewed by Radio Station Voice of Islam Breakfast Show |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A press release, press conference or response to a media enquiry/interview |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
| Results and Impact | Request made by Voice of Islam for a 10 minute interview on their Breakfast Show. Interviewer was mostly interested in species diversity and its role in sustainable agriculture. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2022 |
| Description | Invited presentation made at the 1st GEMS Symposium |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
| Results and Impact | A presentation made to both live and online audience at the 1st GEMS Symposium at the JIC organised by Maria Hernandez-Soriano. The title requested of Wheat Resources available at GRU enabled a chance to interest future users of GRU and raising awareness of the GRU |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2022 |
| Description | JIC Breeder Day |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an open day or visit at my research institution |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Industry/Business |
| Results and Impact | A full day of exhibiting work from a range of field trial activities. GRU were responsible for two presentations in the field trials. Simon Orford with BBSRC DFW work and Noam Chayut with Pea diversity |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2022 |
| Description | JIC Breeder Day |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an open day or visit at my research institution |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Industry/Business |
| Results and Impact | The GRU has hosted some 60 visitors (in four groups) in its seed storage facility and in the field and greenhouses to showcase our activities, capacities, science and service as part of the annual breedrs' day in John Innes Centre. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2019 |
| Description | Kew-GRU crop and crop wild relatives conservation workshop and knowledge exchange |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A formal working group, expert panel or dialogue |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
| Results and Impact | An invite to all GRU staff and others was made to attend the Kew-GRU crop and crop wild relatives conservation workshop and knowledge exchange meeting. It enabled a chance for the two Institutions to interact and discuss approaches to work. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2022 |
| Description | Kew-JIC Crop Wild Relative Conservation and Genomics |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
| Results and Impact | 20 scientists and post doctoral doctoral/ post graduate levels from Kew Science and JIC engaged in two-days workshop to disscuss possible collaboration and enhance networks around the theme of Crop Wild Relatives study, conservation and exploitation for public good. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2019 |
| Description | Lecture and GRU visit as part of the annual DFW Training course |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Study participants or study members |
| Results and Impact | Presentation delivered to the DFW Training course 2022 allowing a wide explanation of the GRU work. This was followed by a tour of the facilities and demonstrations by Liz Sayers. Good discussions were held after and in total the session lasted 90 minutes |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2022 |
| Description | London Headteachers Association visit to GRU |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A formal working group, expert panel or dialogue |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Schools |
| Results and Impact | Headteachers visited the JIC and GRU was requested as a stop off point on the JIC tour. Explanation of the GRU was well received and all described it as a unique experience> |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2022 |
| Description | Master student course visit and training |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Postgraduate students |
| Results and Impact | There is an MSc program in plant breeding and genetics taking place in JIC. 1. The PL in this Grant lectured in the topic of plant germplasm curation and genetic resources 2. The Students visited the unit and the team conducted a mini workshop to demonstrate the work and impact of genebank and to exemplify the existing diversity in the GRU collections |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2018 |
| Description | Meeting to discuss Mendel_seq updates |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A formal working group, expert panel or dialogue |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Third sector organisations |
| Results and Impact | Meeting to discuss Mendel_seq updates with representative from Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences (CAAS) |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2020 |
| Description | National Farmers Union Visit to JIC |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Industry/Business |
| Results and Impact | 17 members of the NFU attended presentations given by JIC staff. An enthusiastic and engaging audience. The talks generated healthy discussion which allowed both parties to help understand each others challenges. Personally i delivered a 30 min talk entitled Germplasm Resources Unit and Crossing |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2022 |
| Description | New scientist Live food and agriculture event |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
| Results and Impact | Online activity for the general public and non-professional scientist to understand the need and practises of germplasm conservation. This also included a virtual tour in the genebank. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2020 |
| URL | https://www.newscientist.com/science-events/future-food-agriculture/ |
| Description | Norfolk Show July 2018 |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Schools |
| Results and Impact | training and manning a stand at the Norfolk Show on behalf of The "Science, Art and Writing" (SAW Trust ,JIC). |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2018 |
| URL | https://royalnorfolkshow.rnaa.org.uk/ |
| Description | Norwich Science Festival |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | Regional |
| Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
| Results and Impact | Norwich Science Festival took place 18-26 October 2019,with nine days of inspirational exhibitions, sensational shows and an abundance of hands-on science activities for all ages and all levels of knowledge; plus a dedicated learning programme for schools, youth groups and home-educated learners.As part of the participation of the Jhon Iness Centre centralised by the communication team the GRU chose, grew and supplied plants and seeds relevant to demonstrate the organisation science to the general public |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2019 |
| URL | https://norwichsciencefestival.co.uk/ |
| Description | Phd supervisory meeting |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A formal working group, expert panel or dialogue |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Postgraduate students |
| Results and Impact | A member of the GRU team is participating in a PhD committee in collaboration with wheat germplasm curators in Kazakhstan |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2018,2019 |
| Description | Press Visit, popular science journalists and agricultural reporters visited the Germplasm Resource Unit |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A press release, press conference or response to a media enquiry/interview |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Media (as a channel to the public) |
| Results and Impact | As part of 'Pulse Research Update' day in which press representatives visited the John Innes Centre and the Earlham Institute, the group of gournalists held a visit in the GRU facilities and learnt first handed about seed curation and the importance of collection preservation. The primary topic was our active pea collection but the journalists took a great interest in the other core germplasm collection as well. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2018 |
| Description | Pulse Crop Genetic Improvement Network (PCGIN) steering/management meeting |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A formal working group, expert panel or dialogue |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Industry/Business |
| Results and Impact | Pulse Crop Genetic Improvement Network (PCGIN) steering/management meeting |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2019 |
| Description | Pulse Crop Genetic Improvement Network (PCGIN) steering/management meeting |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A formal working group, expert panel or dialogue |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Industry/Business |
| Results and Impact | Pulse Crop Genetic Improvement Network (PCGIN) steering/management meeting. PCGIN project meeting with representatives from the project partners and Defra. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2020 |
| Description | RNAA Spring Fling Organising Committee |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | Regional |
| Primary Audience | Schools |
| Results and Impact | Spring Fling for the Norfolk Show Committee. Consultation role during the year for the overall planning of the event (3 meetings) with emphasis to science and education. Followed up by attending the one day event. Event aimed at 5000 4-9 yer olds |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2017,2018,2019 |
| URL | http://springfling.rnaa.org.uk |
| Description | School Pupils visit to the GRU |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | Local |
| Primary Audience | Schools |
| Results and Impact | A talk was given to a group of 25 year-10 pupils. It included demonstration of crop and crop wild relative diversity and an explanation of the importance of practical conservation. Hands on seed threshing was shown. Gene-banking and plant science in general was discussed as an optional career |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2019 |
| Description | School visit |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | Local |
| Primary Audience | Schools |
| Results and Impact | A GRU member of team presented an artistic view of our plant science in the Science, Art and Writing (SAW) initiative which breaks down traditional barriers between the arts and sciences. Through creative use of science in the classroom, SAW inspires artistic and scientific endeavour. Children realise that science and the arts are interconnected - and they discover new and exciting ways of looking at the world. SAW projects are accessible to all ages and abilities. They stimulate exploration, enquiry and creativity and they are fun. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2018 |
| URL | https://www.jic.ac.uk/laboratories/anne-osbourn/saw-project/ |
| Description | Singapore Economic Development Board visit |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an open day or visit at my research institution |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Industry/Business |
| Results and Impact | As part of the Singapore Economic Development Board visit to Norwich Research Park, we hosted them in the Germplasm Resources Unit. We discussed crop conservation's importance for long term food security and explain the technicality of ranging similar operation to ours in a humid area such as Singapore |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2021 |
| Description | The Naked Scientist Radio show (BBC), interviews themed around seed science and conservation |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A press release, press conference or response to a media enquiry/interview |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Media (as a channel to the public) |
| Results and Impact | Radio interview at The Naked Scientist Radio Show (BBC), interviews. The importance of crop conservation hemed around seed science and . |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2021 |
| Description | Tour and explanation of the GRU for visitors from National Farmers Union |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A formal working group, expert panel or dialogue |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Industry/Business |
| Results and Impact | Visit to the GRU by David Exwood (NFU Vice President) Helen Ferrier (Chief Science and Regulatory Affairs Advisor) Charles Hesketh (NFU) David Roberts, Paige Staff and Jon Clarke (JIC). Tour of the facilities and an explanation of the GRU work focusing on the the delivery of DFW to the agricultural Industry |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2022 |
| Description | Training group in crop transformation system |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A formal working group, expert panel or dialogue |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
| Results and Impact | A group of 20 trainees visited the GRU as part of their course related to plant transformation |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2019 |
| Description | Trilateral Early Career Researchers Conference. GRU hosted delegates as part of the JIC Platform tour |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an open day or visit at my research institution |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Postgraduate students |
| Results and Impact | Four groups of ECR visitors from Spain and Germany were shown around the GRU facility. Talks of 20 mins were delivered including time fro questions. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2022 |
| Description | Turkish Breeders visit |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A formal working group, expert panel or dialogue |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Industry/Business |
| Results and Impact | A Turkish leading wheat breeder visit the unit for discussion diversity capture methods |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2018 |
| Description | UK based Bayer agronomist visit to JIC |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Industry/Business |
| Results and Impact | As part of a one day workshop at JIC organised by the Commercialisation and Communication team we gave an overview of the Germplasm Resource Unit was to a group of UK based Bayer agronomist. Germplasm use and handling methods were discussed in addition to practical ways to use our National resources. Chalenges regarding international phytosanitary and custom regulation effecting smooth operation were also discussed. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2019 |
| Description | Visit by Aberystwyth student Atish Bansod at request from the Griffiths group |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Undergraduate students |
| Results and Impact | Visit requested by Simon Griffiths group for visiting student Atish Bansod from Aberystyith Univeristy. A tour of the GRU was conducted to all areas. A very engaging individual who i believe will use the GRU in future. Atish was made aware, in particular, of the Oat collection as this was his area of study and it was not a crop he was aware GRU maintained |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2022 |
| Description | Visit by Daniel Zeichner Labour MP for Cambridge and Shadow Minister for DEFRA |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Policymakers/politicians |
| Results and Impact | Noam Chayut hosted a visit to GR-NBRI by Daniel Zeichner, as part of a JIC site tour with Jonathon Clarke |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2023 |
| Description | Visit from BASF, Germany |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an open day or visit at my research institution |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Industry/Business |
| Results and Impact | As part of the GRU engagement to the breeding industry we invited a Breeder from BASF multinational wheat breeding company to explore the wheat diversity and to engage in future collaboration. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2018 |
| Description | Visit of Breeders from Nepal |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
| Results and Impact | A group of 3 breeders from Nepal were hosted in the GRU. A presentation and a discussion was held about germplasm collection support of pre-breeding in addition to a technical exchange of information about seed storage. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2019 |
| Description | Visit of Head of Technology Strategic Frameworks, BEIS |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A formal working group, expert panel or dialogue |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Policymakers/politicians |
| Results and Impact | Visit of Mark Renshaw, Head of Technology Strategic Frameworks at the Department for Business, Energy & Industrial Strategy |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2022 |
| Description | Visit of Nottingham Farmers Business Assoc |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Industry/Business |
| Results and Impact | A group of 32 farmers has visited the GRU to learn about non-adapted germplasm diversity and use of genebanks for breeding and farming |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2019 |
| Description | Visit of Sichuan University delegates |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
| Results and Impact | The GRU and best practise of germplasm curation was presented to a delegation from a leading university in China |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2019 |
| Description | Visit to GRU by BBSRC |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Policymakers/politicians |
| Results and Impact | Hosted Emma Markham an Debbie Harding from BBSRC Head Office with a tour of the GRU Facilities. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2022 |
| Description | Visit to GRU by Dr Sundar Tiwari and Dr Shiva Chandra Dhakal care of Dr Chris Ridout |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A formal working group, expert panel or dialogue |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
| Results and Impact | A week long visit to the UK included this stop off at the GRU. The visitors were interested in the facilities we offer and the material we distribute. Mostly focused on Pathology, Pests and Economics |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2022 |
| Description | Visit to GRU by attendees of JIC 1st GEMS Symposium |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
| Results and Impact | Visitors from University Bologna, Italy and Forschungszentrum Jülich, Germany toured the Unit and received an explanation of the work GRU undertakes |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2022 |
| Description | Visiting Group from the Royal Society |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Policymakers/politicians |
| Results and Impact | The GRU hosted a visit of the Head of Policy of the Royal society to discuss its role within the plant science community (Elizabeth Surkovic and Patrick Noack) |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2019 |
| Description | Visitors from DEFRA |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an open day or visit at my research institution |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Policymakers/politicians |
| Results and Impact | Visit of DEFRA permanent secretary, Clare Moriarty and her entourage in the Germplasm Resource Unit. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2018 |
| Description | Woman in Science |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Schools |
| Results and Impact | Exhibit Stand of GRU to present use of Drones in plant phenotyping |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2018 |
| Description | Women of the Future STEMM conference |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | Regional |
| Primary Audience | Schools |
| Results and Impact | The GRU has presented a poster and demonstrated technology for field phenotyping by drones. First launched in 2015, this was the fifth event, with scientists from across the Norwich Research Park coming together to inspire over 150 girls to consider a career in science building on the resounding success of the previous four conferences |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2019 |
| URL | https://www.jic.ac.uk/training-careers/work-experience/women-of-the-future/ |
| Description | Work experience students |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an open day or visit at my research institution |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | Local |
| Primary Audience | Schools |
| Results and Impact | High school student visit the GRU and have a tour and explanation of RevGenUK platform and the practice of germplasm curation |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2017,2018 |
| Description | Work experience/Year 10 Science Camp /Undergraduate placement |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | Regional |
| Primary Audience | Schools |
| Results and Impact | Visit of and work placement in the Germplasm Resources Unit by a group of year 10 students as part of JIC Science summer camp outreach and public engagement activity |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2022 |
| Description | Year 10 science camp |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | Regional |
| Primary Audience | Schools |
| Results and Impact | Students spend a day performing experiments in the lab. They receive training on basic equipment and protocols. Approximately 20 year 10 students from different schools across the region visit the JIC annually and between 1-2 spend at least 0.5-1 day in the lab. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2017,2018 |
| Description | syngenta visit to GRU |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A formal working group, expert panel or dialogue |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Industry/Business |
| Results and Impact | A delegation breeders scientists from a major international breeding company visited the Germplasm Resource Unit to discuss around the some of the newly developed germplasm. Ideas and thoughts were exchanged in relating to germplasm and traits that may be of value in a novel wheat hybrid breeding programs. The GRU team was enriched by the insight to the industrial novel goals. The industrial partner learned about the availability of plant material that may be introduced into their future programs |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2018 |