A new crop science glasshouse will be constructed at the Norwich Research Park thanks to a £5m charitable investment. The John Innes Centre (JIC) and the Sainsbury Laboratory (TSL) have received funding from the Garfield Weston Foundation to create “Technology Platform 1 (TP1)”. This state-of-the-art facility will include a glasshouse, insectary, and horticultural facility, allowing scientists to study crop performance under realistic conditions.
Researchers believe that this new structure, spanning 4,500sqm, will transform our ability to address global challenges using plant and microbial science. The project, known as TP1, is part of the Next Generation Infrastructure (NGI) programme, which aims to bring together JIC and TSL for the first time under one roof. This collaboration will provide access to cutting-edge technologies and infrastructure for over 600 researchers.
Prof Cristóbal Uauy, director of the John Innes Centre, expressed gratitude towards the Garfield Weston Foundation for their investment. TP1 will serve as the core of the institutes, facilitating the growth of over a million plants annually and enabling research under future climate scenarios.
The funding supports the Healthy Plants, Healthy People, Healthy Planet (HP3) initiative, a joint effort between the two research institutes. Prof Nick Talbot, executive director of The Sainsbury Laboratory, highlighted the essential role the Garfield Weston Foundation has played in turning the HP3 vision into reality.
The Garfield Weston Foundation, established by W Garfield Weston in 1958, has awarded charitable grants totaling nearly £1.7bn. The foundation remains committed to supporting initiatives that contribute to national research capabilities and address global challenges in agriculture, human health, and environmental sustainability.
