The research we do makes use of a wide range of disciplines in biological and chemical sciences, including microbiology, cell biology, biochemistry, chemistry, genetics, molecular biology, computational and mathematical biology.

We receive funding from the UK Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC) for four Institute Strategic Programs (ISPs) that directly address BBSRC strategic objectives in food security, human health and industrial biotechnology:

• Genes in the Environment
• Plant Health (in partnership with The Sainsbury Laboratory)
• Molecules from Nature
• Designing Future Wheat (a cross-institute strategic programme)

Our mission is:

• To generate knowledge of plants and microbes through innovative research
• To apply our knowledge of nature’s diversity to benefit agriculture, the environment, human health and well-being
• To train scientists for the future
• To engage with policy makers and the public