A groundbreaking new laboratory designed to breed climate-resilient plants has opened at a UK university, offering a crucial weapon in the fight to ensure global food security.
The £3 million facility at the University of Essex boasts an indoor field capable of replicating environments worldwide, along with suites that simulate rising temperatures and altered CO2 levels.
The lab also features a commercial-standard vertical farm – a first for a UK university – and advanced computer scanning technology, allowing researchers unprecedented control and analysis during the development of hardier plants.
This cutting-edge research centre, dubbed the Smart Technology Experimental Plant Suite (STEPS), will harness the power of AI and robotics to drive innovative solutions for a rapidly changing planet.
Climate change poses a growing threat to traditional agriculture, with extreme weather events and temperature fluctuations becoming more common.
Drought-resistant varieties, crops that tolerate higher salinity, and plants optimised for vertical farm environments are all potential avenues of research offered by the STEPS facility.
Leading the charge is biologist Professor Tracy Lawson, who states the facility gives the university a "unique position to be able to grow and select plants for tomorrow’s atmosphere today.”
“This cutting-edge lab will put us at the forefront of research into how we can help plants change and adapt to climate change, helping secure everyone’s future," she emphasised.
"Our state-of-the-art facility will help the world cope with a growing population by ensuring future food security by developing climate-resilient plants.”
