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We may live in a world of machines and man-made artifices but, before all this, there were plants.
Nearly 40 years ago, Gatsby began supporting fundamental or discovery research within scientific areas that could have high global impact. Plants were selected because many of the challenges posed by population growth will only be met by improving our understanding of plant biology within agriculture.
Gatsby’s first major venture within this remit was the Sainsbury Laboratory in Norwich in 1987. It has a focus on understanding how plants defend themselves against disease-causing microbes, and on how these microbes manipulate host plants to cause disease.
Stomata microtubule
The Sainsbury Laboratory is currently home to around 120 research scientists and support staff who deploy the latest technologies to combat plant diseases and accelerate breeding. Their discoveries are being translated to scientific solutions that tackle crop losses – particularly in countries where this loss of income can be ruinous.
A flexible model of core funding was developed: to support not only the research interests of the group leaders, postdoctoral researchers, and PhD students, but also the scientific core services, technical and professional services staff and the overhead costs that collectively enable the researchers. This approach allows the Lab to pursue daring and bold research questions, which would be difficult to do on short-term individual grants.
Several of the Lab’s research group regularly appear on the annual Highly Cited Researcher list, which recognises the most influential researchers on a global scale, representing those ranking in the top 1% by citations for their field.
In 2011, Gatsby provided £85m for the design and construction of an 11,000 square metre building for the Sainsbury Laboratory at the University of Cambridge.
Picture 6, PictureThe lab brings together specialists in biological, physical, and mathematical sciences into a collaborative environment that works towards the long-term security of a sustainable food supply – and other plant products, such as fuel, fibres and building materials.
Designed by the lauded architectural firm Stanton- Williams, the Sainsbury Laboratory at Cambridge was the winner of the 2012 Stirling Prize – the UK’s most prestigious architecture award given to the project built or designed in Britain “which has made the greatest contribution to the evolution of architecture in the past year.” Its location in the Cambridge Botanic Garden is a fitting setting for a building dedicated to the enduring and life-altering qualities of plants.
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