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HOW UEA’S AGRI-FOOD EXPERTISE AND TALENT CAN HELP YOUR BUSINESS KNOW BREAKING BOUNDARIES MORE AND PIONEERING GROW INNOVATION FOR MORE OVER 50 YEARS CONTENTS WELCOME TO UEA

3 WELCOME TO UEA 4 UEA HAS THE AGRI-SCIENCE EXPERTISE UEA helps businesses throughout the region 6 WORK WITH US TO GROW YOUR BUSINESS and further afield find solutions to their 8 THE NEW GENERATION OF TALENT challenges, and we have a range of specialist 10 OUR PARTNERSHIPS knowledge and facilities to support and help develop the food and agriculture sectors. A global innovation hub (Agri-TechE) Funding the future of agri-food robotics (AgriFoRwArdS) Read on to find out how we can work Funding agri-tech from idea to fruition (Ceres) together and help your business grow. Enabling Innovation: Research to Application (EIRA) The Anglian Centre for Water Studies The Food Innovation Centre The Internet of food things 22 WORLD-LEADING RESEARCH Productivity East Smart Emerging Technologies Institute (SETI) Who buys my food? Viticulture and wine production in Great Britain Rising nitrous oxide levels caused by fertilisers Meeting the demand for water Water quality in rivers Improving animal nutrition Garlic – an environmentally friendly pest control 3 UEA HAS THE AGRI- SCIENCE EXPERTISE Our globally renowned research is helping tackle critical challenges facing agriculture and is leading innovation in the sector.

‘Securing Energy, Food and Water’ is of UEA’s six key research themes, placing this global challenge at the forefront of our work to ensure we move forward sustainably and profitably. Agricultural expertise flourishes throughout the University from Norwich Business School through to the Schools of Biological Sciences, Chemistry, TOP Computing Sciences, and Environmental Sciences. As one of the longest established and largest interdisciplinary departments of environmental sciences in Europe, UEA’s School of Environmental Sciences, founded in 1967, is internationally 50UEA RANKING “THERE ARE… UNIVERSITIES renowned for its pioneering research. In 2017, IN THE WORLD WITH DISTINCTIVE RESEARCH the School received a Queen’s Anniversary Prize FOR RESEARCH for Higher and Further Education. This is the UK’s CITATIONS STRENGTHS – THE UNIVERSITY OF most prestigious higher education award, given EAST ANGLIA FOR AGRI-SCIENCE…” to those who can demonstrate outstanding work (Times Higher Education World University HM Government Industrial Strategy at a world-class level. Rankings 2020) Building a Britain Fit for the Future 2017 4 5 WORK WITH US TO GROW YOUR BUSINESS How will we collaborate? We believe that bright thinking helps businesses grow. That’s why we work with organisations of all sizes to help them realise their ambitions.

Whether you’re an ambitious startup, a charity, or an established corporation, we can help your business grow, recruit talent, and access new funding, markets and ideas. TALK TO US ABOUT YOUR We support businesses and organisations from creation IfBUSINESS you’ve been inspired NEEDS by what AND to growth and beyond. We offer facilities, networks, you’veHOW read WE and would CAN like HELP and the opportunity to access student and graduate talent to find out more, get in touch: and collaborate with world-leading researchers. [email protected] us: [email protected] www.uea.ac.uk/businessVisit our website: www.uea.ac.uk/business Follow our social media accounts to Follow our social media accounts to keep up keep up with our latest business news UEA IS IN THE andwith opportunities:our latest business news and opportunities:  showcase/uea-for-business www.linkedin.com/showcase/uea-for-business TOP 200  @UEAforBusiness @UEAforBusiness UNIVERSITIES IN THE WORLD

(Times Higher Education World READ ON TO FIND OUT MORE ABOUT OUR University Rankings 2020) PARTNERSHIPS AND RESEARCH EXCELLENCE 6 7 SAM’S SUCCESS THE NEW “The internship with GreenWorld provided me the ideal opportunity to practically demonstrate the knowledge I had gained at university GENERATION and provided me the skills and experience necessary for my PhD. Sam Keenor, PhD Researcher, OF TALENT School of Environmental Studies, UEA

The right recruits could transform “Sam’s internship has provided your business. Connect with the us with a valuable route to have specific studies done 17,000 students and 4,000 on aspects of our operations recent graduates at UEA and to gain greater understanding give your workforce an injection of their benefits.” of dynamism, fresh thinking Steve Kilham, CEO, Greenworld and enthusiasm.

Placements are part of the university curriculum for a range of degree courses, allowing organisations to draw from a breadth of subject knowledge when engaging with UEA students. Depending on your needs, you can recruit FIND OUT MORE undergraduates, postgraduates or PhD students. Placements ABOUT HOW A provide students with invaluable experience in the workplace UEA STUDENT OR but are also an excellent opportunity for businesses who CONNECT GRADUATE COULD need skilled researchers, or extra help on projects. WITH BENEFIT YOUR An internship can be an excellent way to trial a student BUSINESS: or graduate before hiring them permanently. They can be part or full-time and range from short to long term Email us: contracts. Our interns provide vital support on projects, 17,000 [email protected] and many accept roles at their host company on STUDENTS completion of their internship. Visit our website: A Knowledge Transfer Partnership (KTP) is a partnership Placements between a business or not-for-profit organisation, Internships a team of academic experts and a qualified graduate. 4,000 KTPs A KTP is a tried-and-trusted way to embed the knowledge RECENT of UEA talent in your organisation. GRADUATES 8 9 OUR PARTNERSHIPS UEA is a pioneer of interdisciplinarity, fostering innovation and collaboration both on and off campus. Our relationships with networks and organisations help drive agri-food innovations, linking researchers with businesses and facilitating developments AGRI-TECHE – to tackle the challenges facing the sector. A GLOBAL INNOVATION HUB UEA is a member of Agri-TechE, the independent, NORWICH business-focused cluster organisation with members RESEARCH PARK from the East of England, as well as the wider UK and internationally. Agri-TechE was set up to improve the Norwich Research Park’s vision is to change lives international competitiveness and sustainability of and rethink society through pioneering research and agriculture and horticulture via a unique innovation innovation, reframing the future of research and ecosystem, and brings together farmers and growers delivering regional growth. It is home to a wealth with scientists, technologists and entrepreneurs to of world class research in some of the areas of create a global hub for agri-tech. Current collaborative greatest importance to society today. projects with UEA include looking at the use of artificial As one of six institutions on Norwich Research Park, intelligence and visualisation robotics with the School UEA researchers collaborate with a community of Computing Sciences, and the use of the Movetech of more than 3,000 world-leading experts, Telemetry wildlife tracking device for monitoring livestock, and 100 businesses based on the Park. with the School of Environmental Sciences.

www.norwichresearchpark.com www.agri-tech-e.co.uk

10 11 OUR PARTNERSHIPS

COLLABORATIVE PROJECTS TACKLE FUNDING THE CHALLENGES FACED BY THE FUTURE OF AGRI- UK FOOD CHAIN FOOD ROBOTICS AGRIFORWARDS UEA is a proud member of the AgriFoRwArdS AgriFoRwArdS’ remit is broad, and EPSRC Centre for Doctoral Training, research projects will address issues along with the Universities of Lincoln and across the agri-food industry, from farms Cambridge; and industrial partners including and fisheries through supply chains, food Beeswax Dyson Farming, Cefas, G’s Growers, manufacturing, logistics, and into retail and John Deere, the Manufacturing Technology home environments. Projects might seek Centre, the NFU and Syngenta. to increase productivity, make efficiencies, mitigate challenges in the labour market, AgriFoRwArdS offers funding for PhD or relate to improving soils or our impact research into AI, Vision and Robotics to find on biodiversity or the environment. innovative solutions to real-world problems in the agri-food sector. Postgraduate Graduates of the AgriFoRwArdS CDT will researchers will work with supervisors from become leaders of the next generation of two partner universities and at least one talented and highly qualified researchers, industrial partner on three-year research engineers, entrepreneurs, and executives projects that will advance our understanding who will drive forward innovation and make of AI and robotics in the context of the the UK and East of England a world-leading UK’s agri-food sector. Research may be centre for robotics and autonomous proposed by industry, by university staff, systems in agri-food. or by the researchers themselves, but in all For more information, contact cases will be truly collaborative projects in [email protected] which AgriFoRwArdS’ interdisciplinary expertise is brought to bear on the www.uea.ac.uk/agriforwards challenges facing the sector and society.

12 13 OUR PARTNERSHIPS

CERES – FUNDING AGRI-TECH FROM FUNDED BY CERES: IDEA TO FRUITION EXPLORING FLAX AS A MATERIAL FOR THE AUTO INDUSTRY Composites (materials made from resin-reinforced Ceres Agri-Tech is a partnership between UEA fibres), are widely used in the car industry with the and the Universities of Cambridge, Hertfordshire, global market predicted to reach US $24bn by 2024. Lincoln and Reading. Founded in 2018, Ceres funds The most popular fibres have been fibreglass and commercially relevant agri-tech projects from carbon fibre, but these are non-renewable and energy the university partners and provides commercial intensive to produce. expertise to accelerate them to market. Ceres is supported by a £4.8m grant from Research Replacing fibreglass and carbon fibre with renewable England’s Connecting Capability Fund, which drives bio-based materials like flax promises to improve vehicle collaboration among UK universities and supports safety, sustainability, and carbon footprint. However, commercialisation of their research through currently available flax-based composites are not water partnerships with industry. resistant and therefore cannot be used on car exteriors, severely limiting their applications. Ceres supports translational research projects from Ceres partner universities in plant-related agri-tech This project, led by Prof Richard Stephenson and with with strong commercial potential to tackle key funding from Ceres Agritech, is developing a novel challenges of the agri-tech sector. process to make water-resistant bio-based materials from industrial flax fabrics, which will allow far wider As the pipeline of high-quality agri-tech innovation use of bio-based composites across the automotive continues to grow, Ceres is now beginning the and other industries. Ultimately this will add value to transition from grant-led funding to a long-term, agricultural products and agricultural waste, as well investment-based evergreen fund. as helping to reduce carbon emissions. If you would like more information as to £4.8m Prof Richard Stephenson INVESTMENT how you can get involved, please contact School of Chemistry [email protected] [email protected] www.ceresagritech.org

14 15 OUR PARTNERSHIPS

EIRA – ENABLING INNOVATION: RESEARCH TO EIRA CASE STUDY: PAPER CRUMBLE APPLICATION COULD HELP BUILD A HEALTHIER SOIL EIRA is a collaborative project that harnesses the Evidence suggests that most UK arable The research has instated two field trials, expertise of seven universities and colleges in the East soils have been losing carbon for 40 years one on heavy clay soil and the other on of England. The network is led by the University of (Environment Agency 2019) contributing light sandy soil. These trials are providing Essex, UEA, and the . The network significantly to the country’s CO2 emissions. data on the potential for paper crumble also comprises the , Harlow 10% of all greenhouse gas emissions in to build soil carbon stock. The trials are College, Norwich University of the Arts and Writtle the UK are from the agricultural sources. also delivering insights into how paper University College. This presents a challenge to the current crumble influences soil chemical, physical conventional cultivation of arable and hydrological properties; and the Backed by £4.7 million from Research England’s farmland, as soil carbon loss has been ecosystem services and functions that Connecting Capability Fund, EIRA connects businesses linked to detrimental effects on the soil soils provide. In addition to the field with access to academic expertise, consultancy, ecosystems and soil structure. trials Greenworld has received funding specialist facilities and funding opportunities. This and support through EIRA to connect is achieved through innovation vouchers, hothouse Prof Brian Reid’s research explores how with academic expertise from UEA to events and innovation internships. soil carbon can be increased. He has further explore net-zero agriculture studied the benefits of improved soil The project boosts innovation across three key initiatives. The research is continuing via carbon management and interventions areas: artificial intelligence, biotechnology and digital a Natural Environment Research Council that build carbon stocks. UEA research, creative. UEA is leading the biotech theme which (NERC) funding PhD project “Carbon led by Prof Reid, working in partnership supports innovation across health, food, agri-tech, Capture for Soil Ecosystem Service with Greenworld Ltd (a recycling and and environmental science. Agri-bio businesses, Enhancement”, (as part of the ARIES waste management company based in including manufacturers, suppliers and supporting Doctoral Training Partnership). Norfolk) is exploring the benefits of organisations, form a key part of the sector therefore paper crumble – a coproduct in paper Prof Brian Reid forming strategic partnerships around technological recycling – as a soil conditioner. School of Environmental Sciences developments is crucial. This research was funded under a [email protected] EIRA is further supported by business partners BT Research and Development project Group, TechEast and Agri-TechE, Digital Catapult, New Further reading: (“PANEZA: Paper Crumble For Net Zero Anglia Local Enterprise Partnership (NALEP) and South Agriculture”) awarded by EIRA following www.eira.ac.uk/case-study East Local Enterprise Partnership (SELEP). the successful completion of a Proof of www.youtube.com www.eira.ac.uk Concept project and an EIRA Internship.

16 17 OUR PARTNERSHIPS

ANGLIAN CENTRE FOR WATER STUDIES

The Anglian Centre for Water Studies In collaboration with others the Anglian Centre is an industry led research centre that for Water Studies works to inform policy and NEW FOOD INNOVATION seeks to ensure excellent independent underpin innovation in four core areas: research informs business outcomes, CENTRE – The impact of climate change on water policy and research. resources – leading the application of The Food Innovation Centre is an exciting for Norfolk and Suffolk, incorporating Already one of the driest places in the UK – research to build long term resilience to project being led by Broadland District future-proofed designs to meet excellent forecast to have one of the highest level of changes in weather leading to drought Council, the New Anglia LEP, UEA sustainable development criteria population growth with an economy highly or flooding, and adapt to the increasing and Hethel Innovation Ltd, which aims (BREEAM Excellent) as well as compliance dependent on agriculture – the Anglian demands of a growing population to simultaneously increase economic with supermarket requirements (British region faces some particular challenges in growth while minimising food miles and Retail Consortium). – Circular economy and environmental ensuring a sustainable supply of water into environmental impact. sustainability – how can we optimise The project is expected to start in early the future. The response to these challenges biodiversity in our region, prevent pollution Subject to funding, the project will include 2021 and is well placed to increase levels lies not only in the development of new and raw water deterioration, making sure it the development of food grade premises, of innovation and economic growth within technologies but in how we understand recycles water to the environment effectively a fully fitted test kitchen, a sensory food the local food and drink processing sector. and mitigate the impacts of climate change and with no waste tasting facility and a comprehensive This will include functional food, which on the water available to us and how as a innovation support package for eligible delivers additional or enhanced benefits society we value and use water. – How we engage society – research in areas businesses in Norfolk and Suffolk. over and above their basic nutritional such as how societal change can drive value, and new processing techniques. environmental benefts, behaviour change Located within the Food Enterprise Zone A new Food and Drink Cluster led by and economics, to reduce the amount of at Honingham, Norfolk, the project UEA will support greater levels of water we use will bring together world class research sector collaboration. and development, food growers, food – Competition policy – predicting long-term processing businesses and supply chain For more information, please contact market changes and informing policy. capabilities. The Centre will be a first [email protected] www.acwaterstudies.org

18 19 OUR PARTNERSHIPS

UEA researchers are part of the Internet of Food Things Network Plus, which is exploring innovations to transform the food and agriculture industries. The network, led by the THE in partnership with UEA and the universities of Southampton, Surrey, and the , brings together data and computer scientists, chemists, economists and behaviourists to investigate how artificial intelligence, data analytics INTERNET and emerging technologies can enhance the digitalisation of the UK food supply chain. The project – which also involves regulators such as the Food Standards Agency and industry specialists OF FOOD such as Siemens and Tesco – is examining the application of the Internet of Things in connected supply chains of the future – taking into account the use of sensors in different settings such as farms, production environments, smart refrigerators which THINGS trigger a grocery order when food items run low, or cooking appliances that help us eat more healthily. The use of machine learning and artificial intelligence could be utilised in these innovations to extract value from the vast amounts of data available across the whole food industry, which will help resolve many challenges such as food traceability, food waste, and environmental impact across the supply chain. FARM TO ROAD FOOD The project is funded by a £1.14 million grant from CONSUMER FREIGHT WASTE the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC) to nurture and grow the UK’s food £112bn manufacturing digital economy. GENERATED BY % 10m Prof Gerard Parr FOOD SUPPLY 30 GENERATED TONNES School of Computing Sciences CHAIN EACH BY FOOD EACH YEAR YEAR [email protected]

www.foodchain.ac.uk

20 21 WORLD-LEADING RESEARCH £7.4m Our research tackles the INVESTMENT challenges facing the agri-food sector head-on – in our hubs, centres and institutes ENGINEERING of research, through to AND TECH HUB individual research projects. FOR THE EAST PRODUCTIVITY EAST Productivity East is the new £7.4 million regional hub for engineering, technology and management based at UEA, opening in 2021. The initiative will support industrial and education partners, including those working in food and agriculture, to work alongside our world-leading researchers and talented students to discover practical solutions to current and future challenges. Working in partnership with New Anglia LEP, New Anglia Advanced Manufacturing and Engineering (NAAME) and Tech East, Productivity East will provide workshops with state-of-the-art equipment – including advanced robotics and CNC, % 3D printing, a dedicated computer aided design 82OF OUR RESEARCH IS (CAD) studio, and a network design laboratory – to WORLD-LEADING OR educate the next generation of engineers. Working INTERNATIONALLY in partnership, students, academics and businesses EXCELLENT will explore new ideas, develop prototype designs and create innovative products and services.

(Research Excellence www.uea.ac.uk Framework 2014)

22 23 WORLD-LEADING RESEARCH

DRIVING THE INNOVATION ECOSYSTEM OF THE FUTURE EAST OF ENGLAND SMART EMERGING TECHNOLOGIES INSTITUTE (SETI)

SETI is a research and innovation initiative “SETI is an exciting initiative that will “SETI IS AN EXCITING INITIATIVE led by UEA, aiming to create the fastest help drive agri-tech in the Eastern region THAT WILL HELP DRIVE AGRI-TECH collaborative research testbed in Europe. and beyond. By bringing farmers and IN THE EASTERN REGION The virtual Institute will aim to connect agronomists together with world-leading UEA with core ICT Research groups at research expertise and facilities, SETI’s AND BEYOND.” the Universities of Cambridge and Essex, improved collaboration and connectivity

BELINDA CLARKE Norwich Research Park, Cambridge will allow innovative ideas and research DIRECTOR, AGRI-TECHE Science Park, Adastral Park Ipswich, and to be tested more easily and at a larger Essex Knowledge Gateway. scale. SETI will hugely benefit the agri-tech community by creating a faster route to By linking world-leading researchers commercialisation for solutions to some of with local industrial stakeholders, SETI the real-world challenges facing agriculture. will improve collaboration and enable These include smarter systems using cutting research to move to large-scale field trials edge technology, concept validation on more quickly and easily. SETI will support a huge scale, and increased productivity, experiments in a range of science and which we expect will lead to increased engineering areas using data technologies economic growth in the sector. By reducing such as artificial intelligence, the Internet the technical barriers to increased research of Things and 5G linked to key sectors COLLABORATION and innovation quality, SETI will support such as Agritech, Supply Chain, Energy and Agri-TechE by adding significant value to the Intelligent Manufacturing. INNOVATION existing agri-tech innovation ecosystem.” SETI will nurture a unique research and Dr Belinda Clarke, Director, Agri-TechE RESEARCH innovation ecosystem, providing support for the development of new applications and services from concept to prototype to validation. SETI will demonstrate smart technology in the field whilst capturing valuable real-world, real-time data. This will help turn research insights into business opportunities that will provide jobs and grow the economy.

www.uea.ac.uk

24 25 WORLD-LEADING RESEARCH

Locally sourced produce is becoming increasingly important to consumers in the UK as the Covid-19 pandemic has focused attention on food security and the sustainability of our food system. This has created opportunities for farmers and small food WHO BUYS producers. However, the food and drink sector is extremely competitive and the majority of small businesses lack the capacity to make use of market information to target their resources effectively and ensure that their products meet MY FOOD? the differing needs of consumers. The Who Buys My Food? research project, led by Prof Andrew Fearne, is now in its fifteenth year of providing targeted market intelligence, free of charge, to food and drink SMEs seeking to grow their businesses. Researchers from Norwich Business School derive behavioural insights from a variety of data sources, including supermarket loyalty card data, and make them available via a web-application that enables decision-makers to access critical information at critical times, to ensure that the marketing decisions they take are evidence-based. Businesses involved in the project receive additional support in the application of market intelligence through regular webinars and workshops, enabling them to ‘punch above their weight’. Over the lifetime of the project, researchers have helped over 700 small food and drink producers to change their decision-making processes and improve RESEARCHERS their performance, developing new products and more relevant brands for consumers and retailers, HAVE HELPED increasing sales and building customer loyalty in the process. + Prof Andrew Fearne 700 Norwich Business School SMALL FOOD AND DRINK [email protected] PRODUCERS www.whobuysmyfood.com

26 27 WORLD-LEADING RESEARCH

VITICULTURE AND WINE PRODUCTION IN GREAT BRITAIN

Wines from Great Britain, especially The warming climate is one important factor sparkling wines, are now frequently winning in driving the growth of the wine sector international awards. Near perfect growing in Great Britain. However, as the climate conditions in 2018 led to record grape continues to change, it is important to match harvests in English and Welsh vineyards and varietal choice to the evolving climatic production of 13.2 million bottles of wine. conditions – with a typical lifetime of vines of The UK vineyard area under production is 30-40 years, investing in climatically-suited consequently growing rapidly, but not always (as well as highly marketable) grape varieties in optimal locations. is critical. Prof Dorling’s research, funded by UK Research and Innovation (UKRI), is Dr Alistair Nesbitt and Prof Steve Dorling now helping to match varietal choice to identified a new area of land the size of the anticipated climate change, over the next French Champagne region, around 35,000 few decades, to enhance resilience and hectares, as being ideal for new vineyard support the industry on a growth path which development in England and Wales. is projected to potentially reach By combining expert knowledge and machine 40 million bottles by 2040. learning with a Geographical Information Prof Steve Dorling System, every 50m2 plot of land in England School of Environmental Sciences and Wales was assessed and graded for RESEARCH HAS suitability. Some of the most viable land [email protected] IDENTIFIED AROUND was found to be in areas where relatively Further reading: few vineyards are currently in existence – 35,000 including East Anglia. These areas were shown www.vinescapes.com/vinemap-online to combine terrain, soil and climate conditions Research Paper: which were equally or more suitable than A suitability model for viticulture in England HECTARES and Wales: opportunities for investment, those of established and successful vineyard AS BEING IDEAL FOR NEW sector growth and increased climate resilience VINEYARD DEVELOPMENT locations. The study is the second most IN ENGLAND AND WALES downloaded paper from the Journal of Land Wine GB Report Use Science and the technique is powering a new service, VINEMAP, which is improving OPTIMAL LOCATION resilience to the UK’s varying weather AND CLIMATE RESILIENCE conditions and enhancing future productivity ARE KEY TO GROWTH within the wine sector.

28 29 WORLD-LEADING RESEARCH

RISING NITROUS OXIDE LEVELS CAUSED BY FERTILISERS

A study of the global sources of nitrous related sectors between 1980 and 2016, efficient and managed application of

oxide (N2O) by an international team and accounts for the interaction between nitrogen fertilizer, which also simultaneously of researchers, including Dr Parvadha nitrogen additions to the earth system reduces environmental impacts in other Suntharalingam, found that the main and biogeochemical processes. The study areas, such as water pollution.

source of human-induced N2O emissions found that atmospheric levels of N2O While the fndings highlight the urgency over recent decades is linked to the have risen faster than predicted by recent to slow N2O emissions growth, the study’s increasing use of nitrogen fertilisers in Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change authors conclude that managed strategies agriculture, and that the growing demand (IPCC) emission scenarios, with the last of fertilizer application can achieve emissions for food and animal feed will continue to 50 years being the fastest period of reductions without having to sacrifce % increase emissions. emissions growth. 300 levels of food production. MORE POTENT Rising levels of N2O are threatening The largest levels of N2O emissions come Prof Parvadha Suntharalingam THAN CO2 to jeopardise our chances of meeting from South and East Asia, Africa and South School of Environmental Sciences the goals of the Paris Agreement. As a America, and are linked to use of synthetic

greenhouse gas, N2O is 300 times more fertilizers and livestock manure fertilizer. [email protected] potent than carbon dioxide and can remain Growth rates are also rapidly increasing in Further reading: in the atmosphere for over 100 years. emerging economies where crop production and livestock numbers are increasing. Research Paper: The study is the most comprehensive A comprehensive quantification of global However, N2O emissions in Europe have assessment to date of all global sources nitrous oxide sources and sinks decreased. This is in part due to the more of N2O. It covers 21 natural and human

30 31 WORLD-LEADING RESEARCH

MEETING WATER QUALITY IN RIVERS THE DEMAND UEA researchers led by Prof Kevin Hiscock traps beside the River Blackwater in Norfolk and Prof Andrew Lovett have worked with for the project. The water downriver was FOR WATER DEFRA on the Wensum Demonstration then tested and found a 58% reduction in Test Catchment project looking at the sediment year on year. water quality in rivers. The long-term The growth in water demand due to population The project finished in 2019 and the findings project has assessed the effectiveness of a increase and the need to maintain food production have been written up as a series of research variety of land management measures to at a time when climate change and pressures on papers and reports. These are available reduce pollution from agricultural activities the environment are placing existing water supply on the project website plus summaries of across the whole river catchment whilst infrastructure under strain, requires new methods evidence from the national Demonstration maintaining farm profitability. to manage available water resources. Test Catchments programme. Working closely with Salle Farms Company Under the FRESH4Cs project funded by the EU Prof Andrew Lovett near Reepham, Norfolk, the project used Interreg 2 Seas Programme, Prof Kevin Hiscock [email protected] state-of-the-art measuring devices to and Dr Richard Cooper are working with partners both identify and record pollutants and Prof Kevin Hiscock at Felixstowe Hydrocycle, the Environment to evaluate the effectiveness of different [email protected] Agency and Suffolk County Council to investigate mitigation measures. This has included the feasibility of transferring water from the King’s Dr Richard Cooper assessments of a biobed, cover crops, Fleet at Felixstowe Ferry via an 11km pipeline to [email protected] reduced cultivation methods and sediment recharge the Crag sand and gravel aquifer further traps. The latter found that the amount of School of Environmental Sciences up catchment. This Managed Aquifer Recharge harmful sludge entering rivers from farmers’ scheme (MAR), in which surplus water from the Further reading: fields could be more than halved with special King’s Fleet is used to recharge the aquifer during www.wensumalliance.org.uk ditches. Scientists dug and tested sediment the winter to then abstract for irrigation water use in the summer, should help meet the demand for water by local growers. The project draws upon experience of project partners in The Netherlands and Belgium where there are existing examples of MAR. If successful, the project will provide a demonstration of how the conjunctive use of surface water and groundwater can be maximised to meet water demand while protecting the environment. The project runs until 2022. Further reading: www.fresh4cs.eu

32 33 WORLD-LEADING RESEARCH

GARLIC – AN ENVIRONMENTALLY FRIENDLY PEST CONTROL

IMPROVING In collaboration with a UK biopesticide company, ANIMAL NUTRITION ECOspray Ltd, Dr Chris Hamilton has elucidated the mechanisms of action of polysulfides found Ninety percent of commercial feeds for Most importantly, the research has shown in garlic-derived pesticides. These research poultry are supplemented with the enzyme how inositol, a nutrient released from phytate, discoveries have assisted its regulatory approval phytase. The per-annum market for phytase is critical to poultry growth. in the UK, Europe, Africa and Australasia as a is currently more than $1 billion, and the With Prof Andrew Hemmings and funding biopesticide for use on crops including potatoes, market is projected to grow to around $2.4 from BBSRC, the team is also engineering tomatoes, cucumbers, carrots, brassicas, peppers, billion by 2024. The major players in this novel phytase enzymes as candidates for aubergine, and melons. Dr Hamilton’s research has enzyme market include companies such as the industry’s next generation commercial helped to increase farmer and grower confidence Dupont, Novo-Nordisk, BASF and AB Vista. products. in environmentally sustainable alternatives to Phytases improve animal digestion by current synthetic chemical pesticides and as a Prof Charles Brearley degrading a molecule called phytate that is result, usage of polysulfide pesticides in sustainable School of Biological Sciences an abundant anti-nutrient in the grain and farming practice has continued to rise. [email protected] bean components of animal feed. Dr Chris Hamilton Prof Andrew Hemmings Since 2012, Prof Charles Brearley School of Pharmacy School of Chemistry has worked with AB Vista to provide [email protected] [email protected] understanding of how phytases improve animal growth. This collaborative research Further reading: funded by the UK Biotechnology and Research Papers: Biological Sciences Research Council Quantum Blue Reduces the Severity of Woody (BBSRC) has highlighted how phytases Breast Myopathy via Modulation of Oxygen work, how they degrade phytate and where Homeostasis-Related Genes in Broiler Chickens in the digestive tract this occurs. Snapshots during the catalytic cycle of a histidine acid phytase reveal an induced fit structural mechanism

34 35 If you’ve been inspired by what Ifyou’ve you’veIf you’ve read been and been inspired would inspired like by what by what toyou’ve findyou’ve readout readmore, and andwouldget in would touch: like like to find out more, get in touch: [email protected] find out more, get in touch: [email protected]/[email protected] www.uea.ac.uk/businesswww.uea.ac.uk/business FollowFollow our our social social media media accounts accounts to to keepFollow up with our our social latest mediabusiness accounts to keepkeep up with up with our ourlatest latest business business news news news and opportunities: and andopportunities: opportunities:  showcase/uea-for-businesswww.linkedin.com/showcase/uea-for-business www.linkedin.com/showcase/uea-for-business  @UEAforBusiness @UEAforBusiness @UEAforBusiness