RRes - Strategy

Rothamsted Research: the next decade

2002-2012

Rothamsted Research provides a unique science environment integrating research activities across a range of scales (laboratory to field) and levels of biological organisation (molecules to populations).

An enduring feature of the Institute has been the highly successful operational partnership between BBSRC, the Lawes Trust and Rothamsted. This partnership is being built on and strengthened through the recent restructuring, to provide a world class research environment and state of the art facilities.

The new structure will enable the Institute to place emphasis on two key outcomes from its core scientific activities:

Integrating customer requirements

Rothamsted's research strategy is closely aligned with that of its primary sponsor and reflects the BBSRC's commitment to research for sustainable agriculture.

From science to new practices

New scientific insight and knowledge is essential for the development of well-informed policy at all levels from an individual land manager up to international negotiation between governments. Rothamsted Research will provide the tools for new land management practices that maintain productivity while minimising non-renewable energy demand, reducing pollution, enhancing the quality of soil, water and air as well as conserving biodiversity. Rothamsted will ensure that there are robust strategies for implementation and practical impact in the future. Science leading to new practices will primarily emerge from research funded by, for example, DEFRA, supplemented by the agricultural Levy Boards, and government agencies (FSA, English Nature, Environment Agency).

From science to new products

Much of Rothamsted science is targeted at generating products that will make a contribution to UK wealth creation and sustainable development. Plant-derived fine chemicals, nutraceuticals, biocontrol products for crop protection, new bioactive molecules with non-toxic modes of action, genetically improved crop germplasm and novel diagnostic tools are all examples of sustainable products that are expected to emerge as a consequence of research at Rothamsted. Science leading to new products will primarily emerge from research funded by BBSRC supplemented by support from the EU and agri-businesses interested in the end product.

Science for agriculture and the countryside

The report of the "Curry Commission" contained many recommendations pertinent to the future organisation, prioritisation and direction of research. The report and the newly defined strategy of Rothamsted Research are fully aligned. Curry recognised:

The requirement for increased efficiency of crop production through application of new advanced technologies;
The need to reduce reliance on non-renewable inputs;
The increased use of land for non-agricultural purposes;
The need to conserve natural resources;
The role of agriculture in environmental enhancement (including landscape and habitat conservation).
The priority for development of crops for non-food uses.

Science for development

In Rothamsted Research there is a strong motivation to work towards the solution of problems in the developing world. The establishment of Rothamsted International Consulting Ltd. as well as the reorganisation and elevated profile for the Rothamsted International Fellowship Scheme have been timely actions. Rothamsted International has placed particular emphasis on certain regions (China, India, East Africa, South Africa, Cuba and Brazil) and reinforces the Institute's standing throughout the world.

Discussing a crop in India

Integration of the varied needs of all of the customers of Rothamsted Research, combined with effective partnerships for knowledge transfer, ensures that the whole is greater than the sum of the parts.

Scientific opportunities and priorities

Aligning the future with the past

The national and global need for sustainable development provides Rothamsted Research with its strongest future direction. The demand for science to provide new products and practices that are less reliant on polluting, non-renewable resources must be the over-riding driver with the spectacular advances in: biological knowledge, analytical technology and computing power providing the basis for the Institute's research strategy over the next decade.

Access to the full genomic sequences of two plants (Arabidopsis thaliana and rice ), two insects (Drosophila melanogaster and Anopheles gambiae), a nematode (Caenorhabditis elegans) and a filamentous fungus (Neurospora crassa), as well as a number of prokaryotes, provides new opportunities for understanding crops and interactions with other organisms. In addition, new technologies for the simultaneous analysis of large numbers of gene transcripts, proteins and metabolites have become accessible. A major challenge for Rothamsted Research is to fully integrate the opportunities presented by genomics and post-genomic technologies with the Institute's traditional scientific knowledge base.

Arabidopsis thaliana

Rothamsted science emphasises the whole organism and integrates knowledge from genetics, genomics, chemistry, biochemistry and cell biology into a predictive understanding of complex interactions at the level of populations, ecosystems and soil processes.

In this context, Rothamsted Research has particular opportunities to draw on traditional strengths in pursuit of the following objectives:

Production of valuable products from plants and microbes that remove reliance on chemical synthesis and add value to traditional products;
Genetic improvement of wheat for disease resistance, resource use efficiency and end-user quality traits;
Identification of novel approaches to pest, disease and weed control that are not dependent on synthetic chemicals with toxic modes of action;
Formulation of land management practices that minimise the use of non-renewable inputs as well as conserve and exploit functionally important biodiversity;
Biologically-based approaches to the remediation of polluted land;
Elevation of genetic potential for productivity of biomass (for food and fuel);
The identification and domestication of new plant species as sources of high value sustainable products;
The manipulation of beneficial nutrients and other end-use quality traits in processed and unprocessed crops.

Energy grass

New development and facilities for Rothamsted Research

Redevelopment at Rothamsted

Rothamsted Research is currently engaged on a £31m capital re-development programme, providing us with world class laboratories, glasshouses and controlled environment facilities. The improved capability that this brings will present us with new opportunities for research and collaboration.

The Centenary Building

Scheduled for completion early in 2003, this new laboratory will bring together over 200 scientists from a range of disciplines under the same roof. These researchers will be co-located according to shared requirements for research tools and facilities. Thus, there will be areas equipped for molecular biology, microbiology and synthetic and analytical chemistry (including proteomics and metabolomics).

Lucy Gilliam and facilities

Communication of science

Communication from Rothamsted Research addresses a range of different audiences including the research community, policy makers, practitioners in the farming industry and the general public. The Rothamsted Research Association provides an essential forum for dialogue between researchers and those who put research into practice. Elevating public confidence in science related to agriculture is one of the Institute's overarching objectives. Rothamsted Research focuses on the involvement of young people through school visits and on-site participation as well as engagement with the public through a regular programme of open meetings.

Rothamsted display at the Royal Society Exhibition

Further Information:

Dr Adelia de Paula (adelia.depaula@bbsrc.ac.uk)
tel: 01582 763133
fax: 01582 760981

Rothamsted Research
Harpenden
Herts
AL5 2JQ