Public government body UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) has announced plans to invest over £317 million into a microbial science and innovation hub in Norwich.

Based at the Norwich Research Hub, the investment will see the construction of new facilities for the John Innes Centre (JIC) and The Sainsbury Laboratory (TSL) – both “internationally recognised” centres of research in plant and microbial science.

With aims to become a net-zero carbon laboratory, UKRI said the new hub will deliver a “step change” in the UK’s ability to translate scientific knowledge into bio-based solutions in response to some of society’s most pressing challenges such as climate change, sustainable food solutions, human health, and UK economic growth.

It is estimated that development will take place over the next seven years, with around £54 million set to be invested over the first three years.

Professor Melanie Welham, executive chair of the Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council said cutting edge and sustainable research and innovation infrastructure was “mission critical” to the UK being a global competitor in the bioscience field.

“The investment also represents a real opportunity to establish a world-leading global interdisciplinary hub for plant and microbial sciences that will help deliver the bio-based solutions needed to address global challenges around sustainable agriculture, food, nutrition and health,” she said.

UKRI recently awarded a £14 million funding pool to 12 companies that took part in its Made Smarter innovation challenge, which spanned innovative projects in food, aerospace, and automotive.

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