THE PEOPLE DELIVERING WORLD-LEADING SCIENCE JUNE 2019 – MAY 2020 FOREWORD WELCOME NORWICH: A ONCE-IN-A-LIFETIME A CITY OF SCIENCE OPPORTUNITY TO RETHINK THE WAY ver the last few centuries, Norwich has had a University of East Anglia (UEA). thriving economy that has often proved resilient The many stories we cover each and every week Oto downturns and prospered in good times. highlight the achievements that come from the Park. WE DO THINGS It has become well known for specific industries These include innovative medical equipment developed because of the expertise and entrepreneurship of at the hospital, vital breakthroughs in science from its people; in the 19th century it was shoes, in the one of the institutes, or fascinating research to come car park into a drive-through testing centre, 20th century it was financial services. What’s going out of the UEA. joined the national programme for genome to be our industry for the 21st century? Why not science? All of them help make the Park a vital contributor to sequencing and many other things to Well, thanks to the wonderful work that goes on at the economy of both this city and the county. And this help the region deal with the pandemic, Norwich Research Park, I genuinely believe we are is only set to grow, as plans to expand its footprint on not least in caring for the sick at the not far off from that being a reality. its Enterprise Zone land begin to take shape. Norfolk & Norwich University Hospital That our fine city already possesses a world-leading As our science offering continues to grow in Norfolk, (NNUH), also a part of Norwich centre for science and research is not in the impact it has to change lives will too. We just need to Research Park. doubt. Norwich Research Park already has make sure the rest of the world knows about it. Central to all of this are the people four world-leading institutes – Earlham themselves. Without their drive, passion Institute, Quadram Institute, John Innes It’s going to be exciting! and commitment, we wouldn’t have been Centre, The Sainsbury’s Laboratory - all able to contribute so much to the fight working hand in glove with the Norfolk David Powles, against COVID-19. This crisis in many & Norwich University Hospital and the Editor, Eastern Daily Press respects has been ‘business as usual’ for our people in terms of the gravity of the challenge and the collaborative approach they take. Whether it’s making sure that there is enough food to feed the world’s population over the next 50 years, improving the health of people so that we can all age without pain or suffering, or protecting our planet and its environments from the ravages of modern living, Norwich Research Park’s David Parfrey, Executive Chair at Anglia Innovation Partnership, reflects on a year of great people deserve recognition. life-changing science, and a pandemic that may well change our lives forever. And that’s what this book does. For the MEET OUR PEOPLE last 12 months we have shared numerous stories about our people and their work 4 Samantha Fox 7 Paul Clark 10 Jenni Barclay 13 Darrell Bean 16 David Parfrey arch 2020 turned out to be not ABOVE: thanks to our relationship with Archant 5 Edward Hems 8 Lindsay Hall 11 Peter Van Esse 14 Asher Minns “IN THE FACE OF SUCH quite the month we were looking David and the Eastern Daily Press. This book 6 Peter Bickerton 9 Neil Hall 12 Tom Turmezei 15 Kirsty Culley Parfrey forward to. It turned out to be A THREAT, AS A NATION, brings all those stories together. M Picture: quite the watershed in our lives that, as I AS A REGION AND AS A Norwich Our Vision at Norwich Research Park write, we are still in the midst of, albeit Research focuses on changing lives and rethinking IN THE NEWS with the prospect of a lockdown exit to SCIENCE COMMUNITY Park society. The COVID-19 crisis has brought plan for. The COVID-19 pandemic and home just how important a role science 17 Collaboration is 20 Norwich Science 23 Answers to health 26 Revealing the secret WE RESPONDED” the key Festival and food issues life of bees the impacts it has had on our daily lives has in helping the human race to survive is something that none of us could have and prosper. And, it has given us maybe 18 Research labs to 21 Engaging Images 24 The women making 27 The fight against realistically imagined. leading in science, research, teaching what is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to real life Competition waves in science COVID-19 continues However, in the face of such a threat, and medical care, and possesses a rethink the way we do things. 19 A growing role in 22 National focus 25 Tackling the COVID-19 as a nation, as a region and as a science genuine desire to improve people’s lives. The pages of this book will show you Norfolk economy on science pandemic community we responded. We responded This unique chemistry enabled our people how we are bringing our Vision to life. through a combination of collaboration, to do something about this unwelcome virus. And, whilst we may feel the impact of innovation and a simple will to rise to the They started to manufacture hand COVID-19 for some time, I am confident Anglia Innovation Partnership LLP, Centrum, Published by challenge that the coronavirus created. sanitiser, created PPE and ventilator parts, that everyone at Norwich Research Park Norwich Research Park, Norwich, NR4 7UG At Norwich Research Park, we are developed new testing kits, volunteered to will play their part and make a positive www.norwichresearchpark.co.uk blessed to have a community that is world- help the NHS testing programme, turned our difference to our global society.

2 | Norwich Research Park RETURN TO CONTENTS Norwich Research Park | 3 THE WOMAN UPLIFTING THE NEXT GENERATION MEET THE SCIENTIST LOOKING FOR NEW

A plant scientist working at Norwich Research Park, Samantha Fox is a passionate champion of the next generation and believes you don’t have to fit the stereotype of a ‘traditional’ scientist to work in STEM. Dr Edward Hems’s research has already saved fish from poisonous algae outbreaks hat made you want in the Broads – now he’s studying chemicals in nature that could be used as new to be a scientist? antibiotics for drug-resistant infections. I was inspired by my Wuncle, who was a scientist. Everyone seemed to look up to him. I thought, RIGHT: hat made you Dr Edward “Maybe that’s something I could do.” want to become a Hems, Dr I studied biological sciences at UEA scientist? Martin and was excited by the lectures held WDuring my A-levels at East Norfolk Rejzek and by world-class scientists – who I now Sixth Form College, I spent a month Dr work with today! in the lab at the John Innes Centre Ben through the Nuffield Research Wagstaff check Placement. What does your job involve on for toxic a daily basis? At that time I wanted to do algae in the I’m a research scientist at the John computer science at university, Broads in Innes Centre at Norwich Research but those four weeks made me 2014 Park, researching how plants grow reconsider things. I’m a Norfolk Picture: to create their amazing shapes. I’m boy, and I wanted to stay here, so James Bass asking, “How does a ball of cells after studying chemistry at the : transform into a complex leaf or a University of Sheffield, I returned BELOW Norfolk boy flower?” to the John Innes Centre to work Dr Edward This is a fundamental question on my PhD. Hems says: in biology that has fascinated ‘I’m not scientists for many years. Plants are What have you been working one of those vital to life on Earth. It’s important on at the John Innes Centre? people for us to understand how growth is I’m an organic chemist working in who hates Mondays!’ coordinated so we can potentially molecular microbiology, and I work Picture: develop better, more efficient plants across lots of different projects at Contributed available antibiotics. My colleague, Dr Ben Wagstaff, in the future. once. One project I’m working on It was my job to make similar discovered a virus that infects the We think there’s an underlying relates to antibiotic resistance. We’ve molecules with subtle variations, algae, splits it open and therefore system of polarity – a bit like a been looking at chemicals produced swapping things around to make releases toxins into the water. Our magnetic field or the way hairs go in in nature to see if they could be mix-and-match molecules to research showed that hydrogen one direction when you stroke a cat used as new antibiotics. It’s my try to understand which peroxide is a sensible and safe way of – within each cell that tells the plant job to chemically synthesise those parts of the molecule destroying the toxin. which direction to grow in. antibiotics to figure out which parts were responsible for any could be responsible for having an antimicrobial effects. What’s it like working at You’re also working with the antibacterial effect. Norwich Research Park? next generation of young Working with the UEA, we’ve also How does the work you It’s great because I get to work at a scientists – why is that been looking at the bacteria and fungi do have a local impact? world-leading science institute that’s important to you? that live in the nests of leafcutter In the Norfolk Broads, allowed me to carve my own niche I want to inspire a wider range of ants. Leafcutter ants don’t actually there was a problem with as an organic chemist. I’m not one of young people to consider science eat leaves – they use them as algae outbreaks producing those people who hates Mondays. I and STEM careers and help them to ABOVE: academic brilliance; it’s about I love being able to walk down the a food source for growing toxins that are incredibly really enjoy my job – I get to come to Samantha realise their potential. I co-founded Fox is sustaining effort, hard work and corridor and swap ideas and work on fungus – so they’re like poisonous to fish. So, two work and do chemistry! the Youth STEMM Award and run a plant showing initiative. Students design projects with experts in their fields. farmers. of us worked on this the annual Women of the Future scientist their own path: they can learn to We’re interested in a collaborative project How do you like to spend conference, which is attended by working at code, start a club, visit museums, What do you like to do when parasitic fungus called with the Environment your time when you’re not over 250 Year 10 schoolgirls from the John watch Blue Planet, make posters at you’re not peering into a Escovopsis that’s Agency, Broads in the lab? across Norfolk. Innes Centre school or interview their local dentist. microscope or working with basically trying to get a Authority and the Pike My main hobby is clay pigeon Picture: There’s a huge STEM skills free meal by living off Angling Club. shooting. I’m a member of a local Sam Fox future scientists? shortage in the UK, so I wanted to set What’s it like working at I recently joined the Surf Club and the fungus farmed by I worked on the club and we meet up once a fortnight. up a scheme based on the Duke of Norwich Research Park? went surfing in Morocco. I like going the ants. One of my chemistry side, I also do a lot of fishing. I spent so Edinburgh’s model, to help 13-19 year I work with bright people from all to the coast because creative ideas colleagues looked at synthesising small much time around anglers as part olds develop their knowledge and over the world who have chosen to often come when we’re immersed in the molecules from this parts of the toxin of the Broads algae project and skills in STEM by completing bronze, come here because it’s one of the the environment – we’ve got big skies fungus and discovered so we could they kept saying: “You should come silver and gold awards. best centres in the world for plant in Norfolk, and it allows your brain to they were very similar develop ways of fishing some time.” I caught a few It’s not just about showing sciences. just be free. to some commercially detecting it. pike and realised it was good fun!

4 | Norwich Research Park RETURN TO CONTENTS RETURN TO CONTENTS Norwich Research Park | 5 INJECTING POETRY THE DOCTOR PUTTING NORWICH

He’s the Earlham Institute’s science communications manager by day and a poet AT THE CUTTING-EDGE OF by night – but Dr Peter Bickerton’s twin passions prove that a love of science and words need not be mutually exclusive. NEONATAL RESEARCH

hat sparked your Neonatal consultant Professor Paul Clarke is first to interest in science? admit he is “obsessed” with giving premature babies At school, biology really a better chance at life. Find out about the incredible Wfascinated me – mainly because of work he’s doing at Norfolk and Norwich University one brilliant teacher, Mrs Cavanagh. Hospital’s neonatal intensive care unit. I remember reading about the genetic history of the carrot, and how it came to be orange. hat made you want Because these catheters may sit in I studied biology at the University to specialise in the veins for days or weeks, they of Manchester and became fascinated neonatal medicine? carry a risk of infection. So, it’s by plant science during a field trip WI still remember my first time important we put them in cleanly. to Mallorca. We looked at obscure entering a neonatal intensive care We’re running a study funded by Mediterranean plants and how unit (NICU). It was daunting and like the National Institute for Health they adapt to their environments. being in a different world – seeing Research (NIHR) comparing tiny, fragile babies connected to lots two different skin antiseptics to What does your job of specialist equipment. understand which is better and safer involve today? While training, I liked working with for disinfecting the skin of babies. We I’m the science communications babies the most – to be able to help hope our trial will produce evidence manager at the Earlham Institute, them when seeing how vulnerable for the wider NHS to help us know which combines my love for they were, and to get them well which antiseptic to use in pre-term science and writing. I didn’t enough to go home. babies to help prevent infection. realise I wanted to be a public When I was first training, it was I like to think that with our engagement person – I always unusual for 24-week gestation babies research, and the care we deliver, we thought I’d be a scientist – but to survive. Now, surviving at 23 are among the leading neonatal units during my PhD I worked at lots weeks is not uncommon, and last in the UK. of public events and I loved year we had a 22-week gestation baby Last year, we surveyed how many explaining to people how survive to go home; the first one I’ve tertiary-level neonatal units routinely plants work. ever seen in my career. give probiotics to premature babies, ABOVE: rate of this gut condition has halved I love seeing peoples’ eyes and only 10 out of 58 did. Yet we’ve Neonatal in our NICU since we started using light up as they learn new things. What kind of work are you been doing it for almost seven years, consultant probiotics. It turns out I wasn’t massively doing right now? because the research evidence Professor Paul Clarke into holding a pipette, so it made Infection in babies is one of the suggested that giving probiotics to with his How do you spend your time sense for me to do communications biggest killers. Premature babies need babies will protect them against a goats on his when you’re not working? rather than science. special catheters to be inserted to nasty life-threatening gut condition smallholding I have a smallholding; I keep goats, deliver concentrated feed solutions. called necrotising enterocolitis. The Picture: sheep and hens, so that keeps me What are some of the exciting Angelica busy. It’s the type of thing you can projects happening at Earlham Clarke keep in your back garden living in Institute right now? It’s your job to explain this Norfolk! LEFT: The Leggett group at Earlham It’s interesting to see the analogy work to the public – how do Baby Poppy Institute uses DNA sequencing you do that? took part in between newborn lambs and technology and bioinformatics to We run activities at events like the five research newborn babies. Anyone working understand where bees go. Bees Royal Norfolk Show and Norwich studies at the with lambs has it drummed into are responsible for most of Science Festival. We also host open Norfolk and them about the importance of the our food, but they’ve got no land days for local schools and the general Norwich ewe’s colostrum – that’s the first left to survive on and are dying out, public. For the last open day, we built University protein-rich substance the breast Hospital with 97pc of the UK’s wildflower a massive tree of life at the Earlham produces after birth, full of antibodies neonatal meadows having been lost since Institute to explain the work we do. intensive care and nutrients. the 1930s. The tree went up into the ‘cloud’ on ABOVE: unit It’s crucial that lambs get this when Our UEA collaborators take pollen the top floor, to represent all of our Dr Peter Picture: they’re born, and research has shown from the bee, and our scientists work on computers. Bickerton is Stacy it’s exactly the same ‘liquid gold’ for sequence that pollen to find out working on Newson premature babies. There’s been a real which flowers they’ve been to. We How do you like to spend your research to push for very premature babies to help bees can see if flowers are competing I’ve also recently published a book receive colostrum, even from within time outside of work? Pictures: with food crops and work out which I’m the resident poet at Thought Jelmer de called Millennial. I love poetry. It’s a a few hours of birth, so we’re really flowers to plant where, for the good for Food, an incredible organisation Haas/Getty nice thing to do and it makes you feel big on trying to support mothers to of biodiversity and for our food. involved in food security. Images good. breastfeed.

6 | Norwich Research Park RETURN TO CONTENTS RETURN TO CONTENTS Norwich Research Park | 7 GUT FEELING THE GENETIC CODEBREAKER HOW THIS SCIENTIST’S OBSESSION IS SHAPING CRUCIAL RESEARCH unravelling the answers

Could gut microbial communities be key to preventing diseases like cancer? The answers to some of the greatest scientific breakthroughs yet to come lies in Gut microbe specialist Dr Lindsay Hall thinks so. Here she tells us how her work at the Quadram Institute is turning poo into new medical treatments. DNA. At Norwich Research Park, computer scientists at the Earlham Institute are racing to crack the code. Institute director Professor Neil Hall explains how.

hat first sparked gut microbes may play in relation to BELOW: of their routine treatment, like your interest in breast cancer. Dr Lindsay chemotherapy. ow is Earlham science? As a whopping 70pc of our Hall inside an A lot of patients receive antibiotics, Institute working to WMy mum was a biology teacher and immune cells are in the gut, and we LED light- particularly if they undergo surgery, emitting tackle some of the my dad’s a geologist. He used to make know that immune responses against but antibiotics don’t discriminate H interactive greatest scientific challenges us do fieldwork during the holidays, cancer cells are really important, gut during between good and bad bacteria – and facing us today? measuring and counting rocks, which recent work suggests that our gut Norwich we hope this research will eventually Along with climate change, antibiotic you’d think would probably put me bacteria can actually change and Science inform new medical treatments to resistance is probably one of the two off, but I really enjoyed it! We were improve cancer responses. Festival solve this challenge. major threats to humanity. It’s why always encouraged to understand This is cutting-edge research Picture: doctors try to make sure that Antony Kelly how things work. within a very new field, and it’s really You do a lot of work with antibiotics are always the last line of I loved being immersed in research exciting to be working with a local schools and communities – defence. and developing medical treatments charity like Big C. Right now, we’re why is that important to you? But the reality is that any new during a university placement in recruiting our first participants who Scientists do a really important job, antibiotic will come up against Canada. Microbes are all around us are currently undergoing cancer but it’s up to us to go out and tell antibiotic resistance within the and are so important in our lives. care at the Norfolk and Norwich everybody about the exciting work population further down the line. University Hospital to see how their in a way that’s accessible – that’s the The work we’re doing is about Why is specialising in gut gut microbes change over the course only way to make sure it continues. understanding what causes that bacteria exciting to you? resistance. Most people think bacteria are bad but, in reality, most are positive. We What approach are you taking can find good bacteria in soil, in the to uncover the answers? air, the oceans and we also have a Most of Earlham Institute’s work is huge community living inside us! underpinning the discoveries that As well as helping digestion, they other scientists can then build on. perform so many other crucial Discovery science is a bit like the functions, like programming our Hubble Space Telescope or the Large immune system. Hadron Collider, or even Darwin’s They’re also important for fighting Beagle voyage – it’s about observing off bad bacteria. If you eat something without prior expectations or contaminated with nasty food a hypothesis and seeing what poisoning bacteria like Salmonella, happens. more often than not your gut Instead of growing our own crops bacteria will fight the impact, so or going out in the field, we work in ABOVE: of DNA which, a decade ago, would get from a non-tortoiseshell and a you don’t need to take a course labs with supercomputers to analyse Director have taken a whole year to read. We tortoiseshell cat. That’s what hooked of antibiotics. complex datasets. Right now, one of Professor can now look at a Salmonella DNA me in. Beneficial bacteria play a huge role our biggest projects involves looking Neil Hall at sequence and start to understand the Earlham in human and animal health, which is at over 10,000 strains of Salmonella Institute’s what drug resistance it has, or What’s it like working why I’m fascinated by them. to try to understand the difference open day what would happen if a person was at Norwich Research Park? between drug resistant and non-drug at Norwich infected with it. Being on the park gives us the critical So where does supplementary resistant bacteria, and which genes Research Fundamentally, that’s what we mass to be internationally bacteria actually come from? might be responsible. Park want to be able to do for all life. competitive – if the other institutes We actually get it from poo [laughs]. Picture: and the university weren’t here, it Denise We deal with lots of poo in the would be impossible. Why is the study of DNA so Bradley What first sparked your lab, which everybody gets a bit important? interest in science? I compare working here to football squeamish about but actually it’s an Everything living has DNA – from I’m dyslexic; at school, science was teams; to compete internationally incredible sample set for us to use! viruses through to elephants – DNA always something I felt I could do you need international talent. contains our genetic code which is well at. I was fascinated by genetics One of the great things about What are you working based on four letters in a string and and the rules of inheritance – I working in science is that you get on right now? the order of those letters determines thought there was a certain intrinsic to interact with all these different We’ve just received Big C funding how cells develop and what functions beauty to it. cultures and interesting people with for our ‘BEAM’ (Breast cancEr And they perform. I think we started learning about different expertise from all over the Microbiome) Study. For this exciting As an institute it now takes us just flower colours and how many globe, who are all fascinated by the project we are exploring the role our one minute to read the same amount tortoiseshell kittens you might same things as you.

8 | Norwich Research Park RETURN TO CONTENTS RETURN TO CONTENTS Norwich Research Park | 9 CAN TEACH US ABOUT LIVING THE MAN AVERTING A FOOD DISASTER WITH UNCERTAINTY Peter van Esse is a biologist working for the American non-profit 2Blades Foundation at Professor of volcanology Jenni Barclay has been scrambling up volcanoes for 25 years to better The Sainsbury Laboratory. He is racing to stop plant diseases that could devastate staple understand radioactive dating, while interrogating what it means to live with uncertainty. crops like wheat, corn and potato – resulting in food shortages around the world.

ou are a volcanologist – ow is your work what does that involve? making a difference to Volcanology is the application the world today? ofY science to understanding HThe UN categorises plant pathogens volcanoes. People like me, who look as a disaster, so it’s a crucial area of at volcanic rock, are like the forensic science relating to a bigger question: detectives of volcanology. How can we sustain ourselves on this The rocks contain a fingerprint planet? of the things that have happened If a fungus was to take hold in the to the magma before the volcano wheat-producing region of Punjab, erupts – helping us to understand India, it would be similar to a natural what volcanoes too old to have been disaster like a tsunami or a medium- witnessed erupting did in the past. sized asteroid. Volcanoes are uncertain beasts, so I Our biggest crops are already look at reducing the risk of a disaster affected by diseases that could and work with communities nearby become catastrophic – my job is to to ensure they can live the best avoid that. The Irish potato famine possible life with an active volcano of 1845-49 killed over one million on their doorstep. people and up to two million more One type I study are volcanoes emigrated. where one tectonic plate is going Plant diseases will always find new under another, called subduction ways to adapt to plant immunity or zones. They tend to create the most pesticides, it’s simply the nature of uncertain types of behaviour, and what they do. We have to stay one I’m interested in reducing scientific step ahead. uncertainty, but also in learning how ABOVE: was a ‘volcano tourist’ and, nearby, to live with it. Dome glow lives were being ruined by what was How are you preparing for at Soufrière happening. That made me rethink this threat? What’s it like to see a volcanic Hills volcano, the kind of science I wanted to do; I lead two groups of scientists at The eruption in person? Montserrat I wanted to make a direct societal Sainsbury Laboratory at Norwich The first one I saw was on the impact. Research Park. We’re working to RIGHT: Caribbean island of Montserrat in Jenni Barclay create resistance against ‘rust’, a type 1996, and the novelty never wears on one of her What are some exciting things of fungus affecting soybean plants. off. I was observing the changes on early trips to happening in volcanology Soybeans are the backbone of the dome and had radio support and Monserrat today? Brazil’s economy – it’s exported to the ability to get out very quickly if I’m interested in how new technology Asia for food, and Europe for animal ABOVE: meaning that in the future soybean a laboratory in Norfolk. That’s kind needed. Pictures: can be used to create citizen feed – but the fungus is costing Peter van could recognise soybean rust and use of crazy! Monserrat Eruptions are very humbling, scientists, and the huge amount of Brazilian farmers $2 billion each year. Esse is its immune system to take care of the International collaborators came all Volcano because they remind you how small information that might bring. Right now, the only thing farmers one of the invader. the way to Norwich, because they’re Observatory/ scientists you really are in the world, and that When volcanoes are at their worst, can do is spray crops with pesticides. If we introduce four types of confident we will find the solution. getty images working to there are longer, bigger processes we can’t get close enough to take Brazil is one of the most biodiverse build rust resistance into the plant to recognise going on that span beyond our lives, measurements, so we work with countries on the planet, so it would resistance in a disease before it spreads through a What are your hopes for the like volcanoes that are active for local communities, exchanging be a huge victory if we could harness soybean crop, it’ll be resistant for much longer. future of science? hundreds of years. their understanding of the eruption the plants’ natural defence systems plants, a That gives us more time to come up We’re standing at a crossroads when process for ours. to identify attackers more efficiently. fungus that with the next solution! it comes to the planet’s survival. What first sparked your I strongly believe in getting away Plants have really good immune severely The time for being timid is over. Our blights soy from colonial science, where you systems for recognising invaders like generation has to be the one to pull interest in science? crops What are your favourite Most schoolchildren do nature just show up and think you can microbes or insects – but this system Picture: Peter things about working at us through and it’s a huge challenge – projects about nice things like do whatever you like. People on fails to recognise pathogen invaders. van Esse Norwich Research Park? we’ll need everybody, and we’ll need butterflies or trees, but mine was the ground clearly understand the challenges people have in their We realised that relatives People come here from all over science. called ‘The Violent Earth’! I’ve always volcano, because it’s part of their everyday lives. Thinking from their of soybean plants can already the world for a reason. The level But luckily, I believe we can been interested in natural hazards. daily existence. perspective means you ask scientific successfully recognise invaders like of research here is world leading. do it, and Norwich is one of the Witnessing my first eruption at There’s more realisation that local questions in a different way and rust. For one of these, the pigeon pea, I’m a Dutch scientist working on places where that’s happening. I’m Montserrat’s Soufrière Hills was behaviour might be slow to respond generate more intelligent hypotheses we’ve shown that this recognition a Brazilian problem, for American optimistic about science and all it can beautiful but I was also aware that I to disaster risks because of the other as a result. can be transferred to soybean, non-profit 2Blades Foundation, from achieve.

10 | Norwich Research Park RETURN TO CONTENTS RETURN TO CONTENTS Norwich Research Park | 11 FALL IN LOVE WITH THE WONDERFUL WORLD OF REVOLUTIONISING ARTHRITIS CARE creepy crawlies Approximately 40pc of us will suffer from osteoarthritis of the knee – a painful disease treated with burdensome operations that don’t always work. Surely there’s a better Take a closer look at the bugs in your back garden and you might be surprised by option for helping our ageing population? Consultant radiologist Dr Tom Turmezei what you find, says insect expert Darrell Bean. thinks so, and he’s spent years testing his theory.

ot many people can factories, restaurants, things like ou’re a consultant boast that they have that. At 25 I finally just wanted to do radiologist – what ants as colleagues, but something I enjoyed. N I took a natural sciences access sort of work does that you can. Why is that? Y I’m a facility assistant on the course at City College Norwich, involve? I work at the Norfolk and Norwich entomology team at the John Innes which I loved, and from there I University Hospital, and my primary Centre, which is a plant science studied Ecology at UEA. This role as a radiologist is reporting research institute. That means I rear is my first job after graduating patient scans involving tissues and look after the insect colonies last year. such as bones, joints, ligaments and here, while advising on any problems muscles. scientists might face when doing What is it about insects and I see a lot of patients with joint research that involves insects. natural science that you love? diseases like osteoarthritis. Pretty For instance, we might work I’ve always liked being outside and much anyone can get osteoarthritis with the Barberry Moth Project, exploring. In other countries there through the lifelong use of a joint, which bridges the gap between are big animals to be wowed by, but a bad injury, or known or unknown conservation and protecting crops. there’s so much wonder to find genetic factors. The barberry carpet moth is a here in the UK on a smaller scale. The problem is that there’s only protected species in the UK – but it’s Even in a bit of woodland there’s so one thing we can currently do about natural habitat, the barberry shrub, much to see. osteoarthritis once the function of also hosts a fungal disease affecting Insects are an unknown world the joint has been lost – and that’s wheat crops. So we lend our expertise for lots of people – for example, replacement surgery. We do at on projects like that. lots of hoverflies mimic wasps, least 200,000 of these operations think, “There must be a better way of ABOVE: in healthy older adults in an Icelandic which means that many people every year in the UK; hip and knee looking at this”. Dr Tom population cohort – that’s a really How did you end up in this job? try to swat them. But they’re being the most common. My mum The technique we’re developing Turmezei with significant step! After finishing school, I didn’t know actually really important pollinators. is actually about to have her hip looks at the whole joint in 3D, so it his daughter what I wanted to do. I grew up in a bit Hoverflies were one of my first up the replaced for this reason. shows things that x-rays can’t. We of a run-down estate and, although I entomology passions, it’s what got mountains in Did you always know you use a CT (computer tomography) Snowdownia wanted to work in medicine? loved natural sciences, I didn’t know me really into insects. Now I just look How easy is it to spot risk scanner which is very good at looking Picture: Dr My mum worked in a hospital and about opportunities within science. at everything that I walk past – even early on? at structures containing minerals Tom Turmezei used to let me sit under her desk I thought you could only be a small patches of nettles, might reveal We can identify at-risk patients, like calcium, like you find in bones. when I was young. That wouldn’t scientist or a science teacher. I two or three different species of ABOVE: It must take you a long time to but x-rays aren’t always sensitive or Then we use a computer algorithm LEFT: happen today! bounced around jobs, working in insects. Darrell Bean walk anywhere! accurate enough for us to definitively that takes measurements of the joint Tom Turmezei I spent a lot of time in the hospital looks after Yes, it does! on the CT invertebrates tell a patient that they’re at risk of a much more reliably and accurately and got to watch open heart surgery scanner with at the John joint replacement within a certain than a human could. the coffin of when I was 16. Seeing someone’s Innes Centre When you’re not looking after amount of years because of specific We just had a paper accepted that Nespawer- heart being operated on and watching Picture: Ruby the insects, how do you spend factors. proves that this technology is better shefyt, a the bypass machine was amazing. It O’Grady/ your spare time? It was through everyday practice than x-ray measures at predicting priest who made me want to do a job in which I John Innes I set up an insect society with a PhD that about 12 years ago I started to who will have a total hip replacement was the chief could use incredible technology for Centre student from UEA – so there’s a group scribe of the the benefit of patients. of us that go out and we all have temple of LEFT: I’ve found myself continually different interests. There are so many Amun-Re Darrell at Thebes, engaged by medicine because it’s believes insects out there, so you can’t be an as part of a not just about the rewarding aspects it’s really expert in them all. One person might more unusual of being a doctor – it opens so many important be really good at identifying beetles job with the other doors, too. to exchange and I would show them stuff about Fitzwilliam I’m also the imaging editor for knowledge hoverflies. So it’s an exchange. Museum, the textbook Gray’s Anatomy, and I between It’s really important to exchange Cambridge generations, have friends who have worked in the knowledge between generations, Picture: otherwise Eri Ohara armed forces and in television. that otherwise that expertise gets lost. I Anderson With research like this, you’re at expertise want the society to be an open place the vanguard of an area that takes so gets lost for people, young and old, to develop many people – from medical research Picture: Matt their interest in insects. It’s great to volunteers to scientists, researchers Heaton/John interact with nature respectfully, and supporters – to make it work. It is Innes Centre it makes you think about how we never a single individual’s game. impact the environment around us.

12 | Norwich Research Park RETURN TO CONTENTS RETURN TO CONTENTS Norwich Research Park | 13 EMPOWERING THE PUBLIC TO TACKLE HOW COLLABORATION CAN HELP SOLVE problems like coronavirus

Dr Kirsty Culley, associate director of science engagement at Norwich Research Global warming is an existential crisis felt globally and locally. Asher Minns, executive Park, explains how she helps scientists work together to find answers to big director at the UK’s Tyndall Centre for Climate Change Research at the University of challenges, and how the public can get involved to help too! East Anglia (UEA) explains why it is important to get the message out about global warming, and what climate change means for Norfolk. ou work in science engagement – what ou work in science does that entail? YI support the scientists working communications – what does that mean? across Norwich Research Park, YMy job is to engage non-experts and removing hurdles and helping them people outside of academia with to connect with each other, so that knowledge and information about they can work on collaborative climate change. projects to address questions and That includes everyone from find impactful solutions. members of the public to community One of the key things I am doing groups, policy makers, business currently is looking for funding people, environmental groups, opportunities to support the farmers and school children. Covid-19 focused research and other I try to understand public values initiatives on the park. Another facet surrounding climate change – what of my role involves arranging events people are concerned about – and to highlight our great research and open a dialogue so that it is a two- working with others on the park to way interaction, rather than just help translate that research from broadcasting information. It’s no the lab into real-life solutions that good if the knowledge stays within help people. the ivory tower of academia in papers written in rarefied technical language. How did you end up in If we engage the public on climate this job? change, we can stop people feeling Growing up in Norfolk, I was lucky powerless about it and develop to have a world-leading university ways to respond positively. I want to islands in the middle of the Atlantic ABOVE: The swallowtail butterfly, which on my doorstep. I studied biological empower people. as well as my local beach? Asher Minns, is rare in the UK, living only in the sciences at the UEA and discovered find solutions to huge problems like ABOVE: that everyone is doing on our park to Right now, my work includes executive Broads, is very unlikely to persist. a real passion for human disease coronavirus. Kirsty Culley support the hospital directly supports How did you end up in this job? a project for the UK government director at To cut UK emissions we will research. Our institutes are sequencing is passionate my sister. I am very grateful for that. the Tyndall I grew up on the Isle of Wight, so I to inform international climate also see a very different landscape My PhD focused on osteoarthritis, Covid-19 as part of global efforts about Centre for connecting have an affinity with the coast and change negotiations, international with fuel crops growing, more solar which my family has a history of to monitor the pandemic’s Climate scientists What are the best things about the sea. development engaging people Change panels on fields and buildings, wind suffering from, and I spent eight years development, volunteers are making to work working at Norwich Research I remember reading a book on Thor with child nutrition, healthier Research, turbines, clean cars and public completing osteoarthritis research anti-bacterial hand gel and there has together on Park? Heyerdahl, a Norwegian explorer food, literacy, microplastics, on a walk at transport. at the Hospital for Special Surgery in been a huge effort to come together the world’s The best thing is the people. who sailed across the Pacific and communicating the latest generation RSPB New York. to ramp up coronavirus testing at greatest Researchers in academia are pushing Atlantic Oceans. He wrote about of earth system mathematical models Strumpshaw What are some of the best From my experiences directing the Norfolk and Norwich University challenges themselves to the limit to find nature pollution and plastics floating in the for improved climate projections, and things about working at an educational research programme Hospital. solutions because they are passionate reserve with LEFT: ocean and I thought: hang on – why calculating the pathways for UEA to for surgeons in training, I realised My sister is a nurse on the about it. They are just regular people his daughter Norwich Research Park? When not in the 1960s are there oil and plastic help Norwich and the UK achieve its Myrtle Most people are not aware of how that I loved connecting people with intensive care unit, so everything working working hard to achieve amazing fair share of zero CO2 emissions. big Norwich Research Park is and differing expertise to enable better (or in things for the greater good. Plus, I get LEFT: the economic benefits that it brings science to be delivered. lockdown) to live in Norfolk, which is amazing! What does this mean for In his spare to the region. And because Norwich When I moved back to Norfolk I Kirsty likes Norfolk? time, Asher is small enough, I can cycle to work, was incredibly excited to start my to travel What do you like to do in your likes sailing While climate change is a global which is lovely. current role as I get to continue his vintage Pictures: spare time? problem, it is also felt at local level dinghy on bringing together multifaceted teams Kirsty Culley I love to travel. In academia you get and the Norfolk and Suffolk Broads is the River When you’re not tackling to find innovative solutions to some to meet people from all over the a good example. Yare at climate change, what do you do of the world’s greatest challenges. world so there are lots of colleagues By 2080, we expect to see more Coldham Hall in your spare time? to go and visit, under normal overtopping where the sea floods the Sailing Club I recently got an allotment from Why is science so important? circumstances! land because of coastal erosion and a the local authority, which is nice to Science helps us identify challenges My husband and I bought a house Pictures: rise in sea level, increasing summer escape to. I enjoy visiting the coast and propose solutions. last year which we are currently Asher Minns droughts – this region is already very and the Norfolk Broads as I like to Our Vision at Norwich Research renovating with the help of our short of water – warmer winters, dinghy sail, though I’m not very Park is to change lives and rethink parents and their fantastic DIY skills. I and more influx of salt water, which good. I also like making and sailing society. People are going above and also love perfecting my New York and changes the flora and fauna. radio-controlled speed boats! beyond at Norwich Research Park to New Jersey accents!

14 | Norwich Research Park RETURN TO CONTENTS RETURN TO CONTENTS Norwich Research Park | 15 MEET THE MAN ON A Collaboration is the key to unlocking the science challenges we face

David Parfrey is a man on a mission. As executive chair of the Anglia Innovation Partnership David Parfrey, executive chair at – the body that runs Norwich Research Park – he wants to put Norwich on the map for its Anglia Innovation Partnership, world-leading research, including how Norwich scientists are saving the banana. which runs Norwich Research Park, explains how collaboration ne of your aims is for Norfolk to be is driving cutting-edge science Orecognised as a centre – including the power of of excellence for science. Why human waste to control bowel is that important? When people from outside the infections. county think of Norfolk, they probably think of tourism – I want it to be recognised for science too. Our strapline is “Changing lives and he number of challenges rethinking society”. We aim to make the human race currently society think differently because of faces requires a new the world-leading science that’s done Tapproach. Central to that is in Norwich and because of the way collaboration. At Norwich Research we do it. Park we are building a community Let’s get people from Norfolk of communities that will foster these saying: Norwich is a city of stories, necessary collaborations. and there’s a fantastic story about The new Quadram Institute science. building is a prime example of a physical Tell us about some of the entity that creates the The new Quadram Institute at Norwich ResearchPark is the ideal environment exciting research going on at ideal environment for collaboration. Inset, microbiota are a community of trillions of bacteria and the park. for collaboration. It other beneficial microbes that live in our gut Pictures: QUADRAM INSTITUTE We have high confidence that, in my houses one of the lifetime, diseases like polio and the world’s most advanced improved patient The Quadram Institute is perfectly Zika virus will disappear because of endoscopy departments outcomes while positioned to be at the forefront the work being done on plant-based and research groups reducing the use of this research, with the NNUH vaccines, using science out of the working at the cutting of broad-spectrum Endoscopy Centre and microbiology John Innes Centre. How good is that? edge of food science, gut antibiotics and helping in expertise housed in the same Bananas and coffee are under biology and health. the fight against antimicrobial building, bringing interdisciplinary threat. They have limited years ABOVE: and the UEA. It might sound like resistance. expertise together. because of diseases attacking the David everything’s about science, but of Speeding up the diagnosis of lower plants, but scientists here at Norwich Parfrey, the 12,000 people that are employed respiratory tract infections Faecal Microbiota Transplants cure Studying the microbiota in Research Park have found the genes executive here, 3,000 are scientists; that means Lower respiratory infections, such as patients of debilitating gut infection pregnancy and early life chairman that are being attacked and have 9,000 are doing other careers – and pneumonia, account for around three It may sound unsavoury, but Faecal We all have a community of trillions of Anglia understood how to control those Innovation I’m one of those. million deaths worldwide each year. Microbiota Transplantation (FMT) of bacteria and other beneficial genes and are working on ways to Partnership Current diagnostic methods rely on has revolutionised the lives of dozens microbes in our gut, called the safeguard their futures. Picture: Have you always been growing bacteria from patient samples, of patients since NNUH began microbiota. The microbiota helps us The new Quadram Institute now Archant interested in science? which takes 2-3 days and may still not offering this treatment programme to break down and digest food and is houses the most advanced diagnostic There were moments at school when identify the cause. for recurrent C. difficile infections in critical in programming our immune endoscopy unit in the world. RIGHT: I quite fancied being a scientist but, During this time, patients are given 2015. system to fight off infections. Scientists at Consultants from the hospital will I’ll be absolutely honest, me and a broad spectrum of antibiotics, Early life, including pregnancy and the park are The usual treatment is a course get everything they need from the saving the school didn’t get on very well. I was which may or may not work if the of antibiotics, but these also kill off shortly after birth, are when microbes procedures carried out there, but the banana from never going to be a scientist, so the What do you do when you’re infection is caused by a resistant beneficial bacteria in the patient’s colonise the gut, so this is a key stage. knowledge that’s gained will also go diseases next best thing was to enable science. not spreading the word about pathogen. microbiota, making recurrent The Quadram Institute has straight upstairs into research. which Everything you have seen today, science in Norfolk? Scientists at the Quadram Institute infections more likely. launched a new study, called PEARL, What we’re doing at the park is threaten to everything you’ve touched, I’m a bit of a foodie and I absolutely in collaboration with UEA, Norfolk FMT looks to break the cycle by that will use a new NNUH Clinical world leading – all we need to do is wipe it out everything you’ve eaten or drunk, has adore gin, Norfolk has some of the and Norwich University Hospital taking the microbiota from a healthy Research Facility housed in the Picture: tell people about it, and then do more Getty science embedded in it. best gins in the world, so I’m loving (NNUH) and Earlham Institute, have donor and transplanting it into the building, to better understand the of it. Images/ There is an inevitability that there working my way through them. successfully developed a clinical patient; and the cheapest and easiest importance of beneficial microbes iStock Photo will not be enough food to feed I’ve sung my whole life and I’m metagenomics test to precisely source of material is poo! in the development of the infant So, is it just scientists who the mouths on the planet and, at also a campanologist. My parents met identify the bacterial causes of lower The success rate for clearing up microbiota. work there? best, that’s 25 years away. If we are through bell ringing, so I never had respiratory infections in just six C. difficile infections has been over This will help define microbial The park is home to 115 companies, going to sustain the world for future a chance really. I learned when I was hours. 90pc, and there is interest in seeing ‘signatures’ that are beneficial sitting around four leading research generations, it’s science which will six and I’ve been doing that now for This allows rapid treatment with whether FMT can be used to treat to health and lead to new therapies to institutes, the university hospital deliver that for us. 50 years. targeted antibiotics, resulting in other conditions. promote health and prevent disease.

16 | Norwich Research Park RETURN TO CONTENTS Saturday , June 29, 2019 RETURN TO CONTENTS Norwich Research Park | 17 Norwich Research Park is A growing role in the future establishing a growing presence From research labs to real life in Norfolk’s economy. Its ambitious plans to attract more of the Norfolk economy Norwich Research Park is science sector businesses and focused on delivering real-life research-based organisations applications that change should have a positive knock- people’s lives. Here we take a on effect, with more jobs being look at three of them. created and an increase in inward investment.

Iceni Diagnostics – cracking the sugar code Every type of cell in our body has he UK’s pre-eminence in a unique sugar coating. Whenever the global science world is anything such as bacteria or a virus well known and it means invades the body it needs to interact Tthat it is one of the more with this sugar code. favoured locations for scientists The sugar code is very complex, so around the world. Norwich Research Iceni Diagnostics is developing ways to Park’s Vision is to change lives and unlock it to offer new ways to diagnose rethink society by creating a place Norwich Research Park has 59 hectares of Enterprise Zone land available to build on; inset below, and treat disease. and a community where great ideas, Dr Nick Goodwin and Dr Kirsty Culley Pictures: NORWICH RESEARCH PARK It has recently patented a simple that can help humanity tackle the dipstick test to indicate the type of flu greatest global challenges, can be Smith Hampton’s Cambridge office, a team of advisers from Drenthe virus present without the need for a Iceni Diagnostics was co-founded by Professor David Russell CSO and Professor Rob Field CEO created, developed and ultimately said: “Norwich Research Park Province, which has a similar science laboratory. Picture: HOLDSWORTH ASSOCIATES commercialised into offers a unique mix of world- profile to Norwich Research Park. One key application for this test is a businesses. leading institutions, a huge He said: “Norfolk and the screen for Equine Flu, which caused 2014 by Professor David Russell CSO, Tropic Biosciences – safeguarding Over the last 18 pool of talent supported by Netherlands have many connections, havoc with the racing calendar earlier Emeritus Professor of Chemistry at the future of bananas and coffee months, there have been the UEA and the Norfolk going back hundreds of years to when this year. The test can be performed in UEA and Professor Rob Field CEO, Tropic Biosciences was the first spin- a number of spinout & Norwich University the first ‘Strangers’ – Dutch refugees – stables and used to confirm racehorses Honorary Professor of Chemistry at in company at the John Innes Centre. companies formed at the Hospital, great facilities settled in Norfolk in the 1500s. Today, are uninfected before race meets. UEA, who also works at the John Innes Founded in 2016, it is researching Park that started with and infrastructure, that legacy goes on as we continue to Iceni Diagnostics was co-founded in Centre. tropical crop development with the research undertaken at available land with collaborate, share new ideas, develop aim of preserving and protecting one of its four world-leading Enterprise Zone status and new technology, innovate and invest vital food crops. institutions – Earlham Institute, the prospect of a fantastic together.” By 2030, over 50pc of the world’s John Innes Centre, The Sainsbury lifestyle. It’s really got it all.” In July, a delegation from population will be living in the Laboratory and Quadram Institute. Underlining its Jiangsu Province in China tropics. By 2050, 90pc of the global And there are big plans to expand. importance to the UK was hosted, following growth in food demand will come Lambert Smith Hampton, a national science research sector, closely on the heels of a from the tropics. This creates commercial property agency that Norwich Research Park visit from Kwasi Kwarteng an unprecedented need for more specialises in science parks, has been has been host to a number MP, Parliamentary Under productive and environmentally- appointed to lead the marketing of the of high-profile VIP visits Secretary of State for friendly agricultural production. Park’s Enterprise Zone development over the summer. In June, it Exiting the EU. Many crops grown in this land. hosted the Dutch Ambassador To underpin the Park’s region are now facing severe Nick O’Leary, director at Lambert Simon Smits, who visited with growing role in Norfolk’s economy, disease pressures that threaten Anglia Innovation Partnership their economic viability. This will (AIP) LLP, the organisation that Leaf Expression Systems specialises in producing proteins, antibodies, enzymes and dramatically reduce the availability manages Norwich Research Park, has vaccines for research and commercial purposes Picture: LEAF EXPRESSION SYSTEMS of basic food supplies and have a announced the appointment of Dr devastating effect on the people Nick Goodwin in the newly-created Leaf Expression Systems – delivering spin out of one of Norwich Research living in the tropics. role of chief operating officer, while drugs quickly and cost effectively Park’s institutions, and in 2017 moved To address this dire situation, Dr Kirsty Culley has become scientific Leaf Expression Systems is a specialist into a specially designed, state-of-the- Tropic Biosciences is using advanced engagement manager. in plant-based expression and the art facility. genetic breeding technologies Executive chair David Parfrey production of proteins, antibodies, Norwich Research Park has offered to develop new, high-performing said: “If we are to realise the full enzymes, vaccines and complex natural a number of key benefits to Leaf. It is commercial varieties of banana and potential that Norwich Research Park products for research and commercial at the heart of plant-based science in coffee plants that are resistant to undoubtedly has, we need to have the applications. the UK, with institutions such as the these diseases. right people in place. I am confident Leaf was founded in 2015 following John Innes Centre and The Sainsbury Tropic Biosciences that with Nick and Kirsty joining the development of the Hypertrans® Laboratory on the doorstep, not to expects that it the AIP LLP team, we are now much system by Professor George mention its accessibility to other major better placed to deliver our strategy. will take about Left to right: Nick Royal, relationship manager, Department for International Trade (DIT); Andrew Lomonossoff and Dr Frank Sainsbury “It’s going to be a really busy and scientific hubs. five years for its Wood, honorary consul of the Kingdom of Netherlands in East Anglia; Tim Heddema, agricultural at the John Innes Centre, when funding This allows for a pool of talent and varieties to come counsellor, Embassy of the Kingdom of Netherlands; Simon Smits, Dutch ambassador to the exciting few years ahead of us as we was secured through the BBSRC. a wealth of knowledge being readily to market. United Kingdom; Chris Starkie, CEO, New Anglia LEP; David Parfrey, executive chair, Anglia make Norwich Research Park the It was one of the first companies to accessible that is essential for growth. Innovation Partnership LLP Picture: LESLEY VAN DUK Silicon Valley for science.”

18 | Norwich Research Park RETURN TO CONTENTS Wednesday, August 14, 2019 Wednesday, October 16, 2019 RETURN TO CONTENTS Norwich Research Park | 19 Norwich Research Park scientists Global challenges highlighted in take centre stage at major festival exhibition inspired by science Now in its fourth year, Norwich A collection of winning Science Festival is establishing Oblivion by artwork and poetry inspired Daniel Page itself as one of the country’s by images taken by scientists major showcases for science. In the inane at Norwich Research Park will blackness, And Norwich Research Park will go on display at the Sainsbury A forsaken be right at the centre. satellite, Centre next week, highlighting Disturbs the the close link between the arts vacuum of space. and science. Meet the Scientists Peppered over Scientists from across Norwich the eons, Research Park will be displaying By a multitude photographs from their work in an orwich Research Park has of debris, exhibition called Engaging Images, unveiled the winners of It hastens along held at The Forum for the week of the its Engaging Images art the event horizon. Festival. and poetry competition, N Ever decreasing The scientists will also be hosting which showcased the talents of both an event where they will explain the professional artists and members of circles, discoveries behind the images and the public. Of cosmic launch a competition where members Entrants were invited to submit inevitability, of the public will be invited to take creations inspired by photographic An oblivion it inspiration from the photographs and images taken from the Park’s image cannot escape. produce a piece of art or poetry. library, which were exhibited at the Norwich Science Festival in October. Bumblebee Trail The images covered some of the Left, Three, by Sophia It’s a little-known fact that you can global challenges such as healthy Shuvalova; below left, Diatoms, by Poppy Bye; train bees to sniff out bombs and drugs. Pete Bickerton as Barney Bee. Inset, an exhibition will show work by Jennie Pedley, who worked ageing, food and energy security, below right, The bite of That’s just one of the fascinating things with scientists to create art that takes its inspiration from research into microbes, food and health sustainability and environmental victory without the song you might impress your friends with Pictures: SIMON FINLAY PHOTOGRAPHY/JENNIE PEDLEY change. of pain (or) southern fried after exploring the Bumblebee Trail. The idea for an image library came nuggets, by Maia Brown The Earlham Institute’s Dr Pete The Art of the Gut Hidden Elements Trail from Dr Jenni Rant’s work with Bickerton is running the event on You may associate the gut with many In celebration of the 150th birthday the SAW Trust, based at the John fantastic research being conducted Tuesday, October 22 at The Forum’s things, but art might not be one that of the periodic table, a trail has been Innes Centre, which brings together here on the Park that will be freely Explorium and making an appearance comes to mind first. created for people to find chemical science, art and writing (SAW) to available to schools, universities and as ‘Barney the Bee’. However, that’s exactly what’s on elements hidden in 19 venues around disseminate scientific research in businesses. We are delighted that they “I hope that people will come away show in an exhibition at The Forum the city centre, with a further eight schools. The images are used to have provided the inspiration for this excited about the research being from October 19-26. elements at a fringe trail at Norwich inspire schoolchildren to explore competition.” carried out on their doorstep, and how Jennie Pedley, artist-in-residence at Research Park. the underlying science by doing The winning poem was ‘Oblivion’ we’re contributing to ensuring the the Quadram Institute, worked with The brainchild of Dr Stephen experiments, writing poems and by Daniel Page; first place in the 12-18 future of pollinators and biodiversity scientists to create art that takes its Ashworth, Professor of Chemical creating works of art. years category went to ‘Diatoms’ by for generations to come,” says Pete. inspiration from the new research into Physics and Science Communication Jenni said: “We are building a library Poppy Bye; the winning adult art microbes, food and health. at the UEA, the Hidden Elements Trail of striking images that reflect the piece was ‘The bite of victory without runs until the end of the Festival on the song of pain (or) southern fried Food and Health: what matters Saturday, October 26. nuggets’ by Maia Brown; and the to you? number one professional artist entry If you want to play a role in how we Norwich Research Park Day was ‘Three’ by Sophia Shuvalova. can embrace food to enhance our A day dedicated to the ground-breaking The Engaging Images competition mainstream and get all ages interested health, then you may be interested science taking place at Norwich was judged by a panel including in its importance in our futures.” in attending this event held in Research Park, showcasing what Professor Anne Osbourn from John Anne Osbourn said: “The quality of the Castle Quarter on Thursday, happens in the labs and how the Park’s Innes Centre; Sophie Stainthorpe from entries was exceptional. It was great to October 24, 6-8pm. vision to change lives and rethink Archant; David Parfrey, executive chair see what science can inspire and how Scientists from across Norwich society is being brought to life, right on at Norwich Research Park; local artist the arts can stimulate the minds of Research Park who are working at your doorstep. Chris Hann; and Becky Tough, from scientists.” the forefront of biological science Held at The Forum on Wednesday, artpocket. Chris Hann added: “The standard research related to food and health October 23, you’ll be able to step into a David Parfrey said: “If we can engage of entries was impressively high, even want to understand what is most giant nose and learn the science behind with as many people as possible and for the non-professionals. Every artist important to you, and how they can snot, allergies and asthma, become an make science an inspirational topic interpreted the original image in a very design future science projects with atmospheric detective or build a new like it has been for this competition, personal way. It was quite a job to find a your concerns in mind. species of plant from LEGO®. then we should be able to make science winner.”

20 | Norwich Research Park RETURN TO CONTENTS Saturday, October 19,2019 Saturday, November 30, 2019 RETURN TO CONTENTS Norwich Research Park | 21 Scientists at Norwich Research National focus on Park are investigating a diverse Finding answers to range of issues to discover the world’s health science to deliver solutions that could change people’s lives around the world. and food issues real-life solutions Here are three examples of the world-leading research being done right here in Norfolk, at Norwich Research Park.

The Earlham Institute Testing device for Sepsis is part of a worldwide Sepsis affects 25,000 infants every project to understand year in the UK with premature babies Salmonella; below and inset, George accounting for a disproportionate Bailey has developed amount of cases. The condition is the a range of spectacles immune system’s violent overreaction made from recycled to an infection that sees it attack its fishing nets own organs. Pictures: GETTY IMAGES/CONTRIBUTED A new test, developed jointly by clinicians at the Norfolk & Norwich University Hospital and researchers In November, the BBC descended on Norwich, and spent much time at the Quadram Institute and Earlham speaking to people at Norwich Research Park about the fantastic Institute, works by analysing bacteria in a newborn’s stool and takes just work that’s helping to change lives. Here are some projects that four hours to tell if they are at risk highlight exactly why it’s at the forefront of scientific research. of infection – 10 times faster than Above and inset, barberry bushes can be used by wheat rust strains as incubation sites. Below, current methods that involve sending Iwan Roberts is taking part in the SCORES project Pictures: NORWICH RESEARCH PARK/IAN BURT samples off to a lab. Currently, nine in 10 premature times more likely to suffer from Using genetic triggers and smart drugs for the accidental capture and killing New ‘at home’ urine test developed to babies are treated with drugs as a Alzheimer’s Disease. to combat Salmonella infections of dolphins, turtles and other marine help prostate cancer detection precautionary measure, but many It’s thought that this increase Salmonella is one of the world’s animals. A new ‘at home’ test that could have a do not need them. The test could also is related to repetitive heading of biggest killers – globally there are They also break down over time into dramatic effect on the detection and halt the spread of antibiotic resistant the ball. They will be working to 93 million cases and 155,000 human tiny fragments, called micro plastics, treatment of prostate cancer in men superbugs in neonatal units. investigate and track brain health deaths each year. causing further havoc to marine life has been developed by research at the The new method is carried out on over time, using cutting-edge To address its emergence and and human health. University of East Anglia (UEA) in a portable device, known as MinION, technology to test for early signs of spread, it’s necessary to understand George’s inspiration came from collaboration with the Norfolk and which is no bigger than a smartphone. dementia. what genes are associated with people like David Attenborough Norwich University Hospital (NNUH). What they don’t know, however, is if making Salmonella infectious raising the alarm about the dangers The urine test diagnoses aggressive Heading off dementia this extends to amateur level football. and developing drug resistance. of plastic in our oceans. prostate cancer and predicts whether Former Norwich City and Wales striker Former players in the Eastern region The Earlham Institute’s expertise “It really helps to build awareness patients will require treatment up Iwan Roberts, is one of the first to are being encouraged to volunteer to in genomics, bioinformatics and around plastic waste,” he said. to five years earlier than standard sign up to a new project to test former be a part of the SCORES project. molecular biology has enabled it to “Everyone can make a difference. By clinical methods. professional football players for early The research team is looking for tackle the problem. just making a few small Lead researcher Dr Jeremy Clark, signs of dementia. active non-footballers, who are aged In collaboration with the University changes like your from UEA’s Norwich Medical School, Researchers at the University of over 50. If you would like to take part, of Liverpool, it undertook an analysis choice of glasses, you said: “Prostate cancer is the UK’s East Anglia (UEA) are crowdfunding please visit www.scoresproject.org or of 10,000 Salmonella strains as part can have a positive most common cancer in men. It the project, which will build on email [email protected]. of a worldwide project. Together impact.” usually develops slowly, and the research which established that with the Quadram Institute, it also The 19 year-old majority of cancers will not require retired male players are around five Wheat crops threatened by rusts crop and lower the harvest. Two of developed SalmoNet, an open access has secured £50,000 treatment but doctors struggle to Researchers at the John Innes Centre these types of rust can infect the resource for data, leading to the of funding from the predict which tumours will become are conducting an important study country’s common barberry bushes, development of novel drug discovery university’s enterprise aggressive, making it hard to decide to better understand how ‘rust’ – a using them to complete sexual approaches that could help avoid fund which supports on treatment. pathogen which can devastate wheat reproduction and make new strains, drug resistance. entrepreneurial “Our test looks at gene expression crops – spreads across the country. which then transfer to the wheat students and in urine samples and provides vital The Barberry Rust Explorer crops. Making glasses frames from graduates. information about whether a cancer (BarbRE) project is a UK-wide The BarbRE project will help recycled fishing nets There will is aggressive or ‘low risk’. citizen science project that experts to understand the current University of East Anglia be six optical “The first urination of the day A new rapid aims to map the locations threat barberry poses as an (UEA) student George frames and provides biomarker levels from the and reliable test of barberry bushes across incubation site for emerging wheat to detect sepsis in Bailey is launching Coral a range of prostate that are much higher and premature babies has the country – all you need is rust strains. Eyewear, a range of frames sunglasses more consistent so being able to been developed and can a smart phone. If you would like to participate in made from ghost fishing launched in collect this is a giant leap forward for be carried out on a portable Wheat can be infected by the study, send an email to nets, which are responsible 2020. diagnoses.” device, known as MinION fungal rusts which damage the [email protected]

22 | Norwich Research Park RETURN TO CONTENTS Thursday, December 19, 2019 Friday, January 31, 2020 RETURN TO CONTENTS Norwich Research Park | 23 How Norwich Research Park is tackling the COVID-19 pandemic With the COVID-19 coronavirus pandemic having a serious impact on global health and the global economy, researchers Left, Professor Dame Caroline Dean; above, Dr Anne Edwards; below, Aleena Mushtaq; in Norwich are playing a bottom, Professor Anne Osbourn significant role in the nation’s Pictures: JOHN INNES CENTRE/ QUADRAM INSTITUTE efforts to deal with it.

Meet the women 3D printing of ventilator parts A team of researchers at the making waves University of East Anglia (UEA), Led by Dr Aram Saeed, in the School of Pharmacy, and Dr Ben Garrod, in the in science... School of Biological Sciences, is using 3D printing technology to produce ventilator parts, masks and other Today marks the International Day of Women and Girls in Science, critical items. so we thought it appropriate to shine a spotlight on some of the Dr Saeed said: “There is a The UEA Health & Social Care Partners are leading an initiative to manufacture hand nationwide effort to forge a real-time sanitiser; below, the Iceni Diagnostics lab is developing a home test for the coronavirus; great work by women in science on our doorstep at Norwich partnership between the healthcare inset, chairman Berwyn Clarke Pictures: UEA/SIMONE DEDOLA/HOLDSWORTH ASSOCIATES Research Park. services, academic institutions and businesses of all sizes to fight back to accurately identify the coronavirus the Quadram Institute at Norwich against COVID-19. We hope to be able – even if it mutates. Research Park. to find creative solutions faster to help Dr Berwyn Clarke, chairman of Dr Justin O’Grady, from UEA’s Professor Anne Osbourn FRS OBE Centre has focussed on plant biology leaves – and carried out rudimentary combat this virus.” Iceni Diagnostics, said: “We have Norwich Medical School, will lead a Anne Osbourn is a professor of to unlock a greater understanding plant biology, including growing cress a number of prototypes which project at the Quadram Institute to biology at the John Innes Centre. Her of how to increase the yield of on cotton wool,” she explained. Hand sanitiser for hospitals and successfully identify other types analyse COVID-19 samples and take a pioneering work into plant natural agricultural crops in temperate On following a career in science, key workers in the region of flu. We’ve got the technology so targeted sequencing-based approach product biosynthesis has had major climates. Anne said: “Nothing can beat the It has been well documented that we’re focusing all our efforts on the to the genetic material to help identify beneficial impacts on both agriculture Caroline received a 2018 L’Oréal- elation felt when you discover there is a shortage of hand sanitiser COVID-19 coronavirus.” any changes in the virus. and medicine, and she was awarded UNESCO For Women in Science something new. To encourage more available for healthcare professionals The test itself would look like a Professor Ian Charles, director of an OBE in the most recent New Year’s Laureate and has recently won the young women into science we need and key workers. The UEA Health & pregnancy test, with users putting the Quadram Institute, said: “We Honours List. 2020 Wolf Prize in Agriculture. to give them the opportunity to get Social Care Partners is leading on their saliva on the end of the stick, welcome this vital work to understand Anne set up the Science, Art and “I was fascinated by marine involved in interesting and exciting an initiative to manufacture more with the result showing in 20 minutes. how COVID-19 spreads and behaves by Writing (SAW) Trust, a science biology TV programmes like Jacques research.” hand sanitiser for the region’s health using whole genome sequencing.” education charity that uses intriguing Cousteau, so decided to do a marine sector, with help from across the Park. Mapping the virus scientific images to initiate activities biology degree,” she explained. “I was Aleena Mushtaq UEA Health & Social Care Partners The COVID-19 Genomic UK International reputation for in practical science, creative writing introduced to biochemistry in my first Aleena Mushtaq is a PhD student is appealing for donations of 96pc Consortium is made up of a number world-leading science and visual arts. year of study and I enjoyed it so much at Quadram Institute. Her research grade ethanol, or higher, in batches of of health agencies and research The current COVID-19 virus outbreak She is also keen to bring more I switched to a biology course which has found that a lifelong low fibre 10 litres or more. Southwold-based institutes across the UK, including has highlighted the role Norwich women into science, saying: opened up the world of plants to me.” diet can lead to a leaky gut, allowing brewery Adnams and The Research Park can play in helping the “Diversity brings a richness in the pathogenic bacteria to enter the English Whisky Co, based world deal with very serious issues way we think and work. Together we Dr Anne Edwards bloodstream which can damage the at Roudham, are already related to health. can draw on our strengths and Anne Edwards is a researcher at liver. In contrast, a high fibre diet can donating. David Parfrey, executive chair at differences to make scientific the John Innes Centre and was increase beneficial bacteria and help Any businesses that are Norwich Research Park, said: “It is discoveries and to translate involved in the early studies of prevent metabolic diseases. able to help should contact truly humbling to witness first-hand our findings for the benefit Ash dieback disease in 2012, “By working in science, I knew I [email protected] the commitment of our colleagues in of society.” which decimated 60-90pc of ash would get the opportunity to help to putting all their energies into helping woodland in Denmark and was improve our quality of life for the Creating a testing kit the UK deal with this unprecedented Professor Caroline Dean DBE about to invade the UK. future,” she said. “Women have an Iceni Diagnostics is focusing on virus outbreak. Caroline Dean is a strong Anne’s interest in science can important part to play in developing creating a kit which can give users “Few people outside of the Park will advocate for women in science be traced back to her primary that future.” a ‘yes’ or ‘no’ answer on whether have been privy to the scale of this and a committed role school’s nature table. “We Aleena has represented the Royal they have the flu or the COVID-19 situation before, but it’s something model and mentor. were encouraged to Society of Biology at high school coronavirus. that many of the people here are Her 32-year bring in all sorts of career events to talk about her life as The company uses sugar dealing with every day as they devise research career treasures – feathers, a PhD student and encourage girls to recognition instead of viral genetic new ways of addressing the world’s at the John Innes seeds, skulls, and pursue a career in biology. codes; this means the tests will be able most critical health and food issues.”

24 | Norwich Research Park RETURN TO CONTENTS Tuesday, February 11, 2020 Friday, March 27, 2020 RETURN TO CONTENTS Norwich Research Park | 25 Citizen science project aims to reveal the secret life of our saviour bees In these unprecedented times, we are all spending much more time at home and in our gardens. And, now that spring has well and truly arrived, it’s the perfect time to get reacquainted with one of our country’s busiest workers – the bee.

ee populations are on the decline and currently face their own crisis. This is due The drive-through coronavirus testing facility at Norwich Research Park was set up very quickly to support the increase in testing capacity in large part to a loss of B Picture: DENISE BRADLEY habitat, as towns and cities expand into greenbelt land, alongside a loss of wildflowers. The fight against COVID-19 continues People are doing what they can to help by planting wildflower seeds or placing bee hotels in their Norwich Research Park’s scientists and researchers have been at the centre of many initiatives to help gardens. And it’s this latter trend the region combat the devasting impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic. It’s clearly shown the importance that has caught the attention of an organisation called Saviour Bees, of science and research and why the nation needs to continue to support its growth. which has joined forces with the Earlham Institute at Norwich A new citizen science project called Saviour Bees is asking for the public’s participation to Research Park to launch a find out how these essential pollinators are using bee hotels Pictures: SAVIOUR BEES Scientists volunteer their skills to people together and we’re seeing that Collaboration provides answers UK-wide citizen science increase testing capacity in the response from the scientific When COVID-19 demanded a rapid project. constructive for an nationwide. In turn it will help them Volunteers from all research community to coronavirus, and cohesive response, the The suspicion is that insect that is vital to the to recommend good combinations of organisations on the Park have been both in Norwich and around Park’s collaborative approach there is a vast difference environment we live in,” plants that work alongside the needs working with staff at the Norfolk the world. We all have provided the perfect in the quality of bee said Dan Harris, who of agriculture, which relies strongly and Norwich University Hospital the same goal of saving platform for scientists to hotels on sale and a fair came up with the idea for on the pollination of bees. (NNUH) to help with the isolation and lives and flattening the come together to solve amount of misinformation the project. Dr Pete Bickerton, scientific detection of viral RNA, part of the curve of this pandemic, some of the challenges. on how to use them. “I would encourage anyone communications and outreach vital testing process. which we can only do by David Parfrey (pictured “With most of us having who has a garden to join the manager at Earlham Institute, said: Scientists from the Earlham working together.” left), executive chair at more time to spend in our gardens project and do something positive for “The citizen science project is a Institute, John Innes Centre, The Norwich Research Park, during the COVID-19 lockdown, it is a our bees.” powerful tool to help us to help bees. It Sainsbury Laboratory, Quadram Drive-through test centre said: “It’s been truly inspiring perfect opportunity to do something The Earlham Institute has been also helps us to promote the essential Institute, the University of East Further evidence of that to see the response to the working with bees for a number role of pollinators for biodiversity Anglia, Eastern Pathology Alliance collaboration was seen on the Park pandemic from people right across of years for its Bee Trail project, and for food security.” and the Cotman Centre formed a with the setting up of a drive-through Norwich Research Park, whether they which brings to life the research that To take part in the project you can task force to create the additional test centre. work for one of our Partners or the scientists at the Earlham Institute complete a short five-minute survey at resource needed to significantly Members of the Norwich Research 150 businesses that call it their home. are undertaking in collaboration saviourbees.co.uk/citizenscience increase testing capacity that enabled Park management team worked “Our Park operates as a with the University of East Anglia thousands rather than hundreds closely with a team from the collaborative model which has (UEA), along with the University of Three facts you need to of tests to be completed each NNUH to very quickly cordon enabled us to mobilise quickly, Cambridge and the Natural History know about bees d a y. off the car park, erect efficiently and effectively in deploying Museum (NHM). 1 Bees contribute about Dr Karim Gharbi gazebos and set up testing our resources to help the hospital in Bees have been tracked to find out £700m to the UK economy (pictured right), a equipment, employ a the fight against COVID-19. the patterns of their movement. This by pollinating the fruit and geneticist at the Earlham traffic management “It’s meant that we’ve been able to has been achieved by collecting pollen vegetables that we buy. Institute, coordinated the system and launch an produce hand sanitiser, manufacture from bees and sequencing the DNA 2 Honey bees have to gather volunteer efforts. “Our appointment booking PPE, create ventilator parts from 3D of that pollen to find out what plant nectar from two million flowers volunteers are helping to process. printing and developed testing kits. species bees have been visiting. to make one pound of honey. keep frontline NHS staff NHS staff operate the “We have treated our entire campus This method will enable scientists 3 Of the 250 species of bee and key workers across Norfolk drive through and collect swab as one space, our buildings as at the Earlham Institute to identify found in Britain, a third of safe, whether that’s by self-isolating samples safely from people who have opportunities in which to do things, Dan Harris and Dr Pete Bickerton (as Barney which plants the different species them are under threat of or knowing they can return to their COVID-19 symptoms or suspect they and our people, with their knowledge, Bee) promoting the Saviour Bees project at the of bees prefer at various times of extinction. critical work. may have the virus, before being sent skills and networks, have been Norwich Science Festival the year and in different locations “It’s often a crisis that brings new to the labs for testing. deployed willingly and positively.”

26 | Norwich Research Park RETURN TO CONTENTS Thursday, April 30, 2020 Saturday, May 23, 2020 RETURN TO CONTENTS Norwich Research Park | 27 In partnership with the