Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew and University of Sussex cultivate new research partnership
Helping to save the world’s endangered plant species and finding new medicinal uses for plants are among the ideas being considered for an exciting new research collaboration between the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew (RBG Kew) and the University of Sussex.
The new partnership, to be formalised at a special event at Kew Gardens on Thursday, 31 January, is the latest development in a growing relationship between RBG Kew and the University. For example, Sussex postgraduate students in Plant Conservation are taught by Sussex staff and by staff at Kew’s Millennium Seed Bank in Wakehurst Place near Haywards Heath.
Now, both institutions want to extend this relationship into new areas of scientific research that will benefit science and research between RBG Kew and the University, their academics, students, the wider community and the regional economy.
Professor Bob Allison, Pro-Vice-Chancellor for Research at University of Sussex, says: “This collaboration provides ample opportunity to explore the possibilities not just of plant science and conservation, but wider areas of Kew’s heritage and archive material. We’re sowing the seeds for exciting new research and I anticipate a fruitful partnership.”
Professor Hugh Pritchard, a member of Kew’s Senior Science Group, says: “The prospect of adding value to both organisations through collaborative, multidisciplinary science is truly exciting for all involved in this initiative.”
Academics at Sussex have also identified research areas they would like to collaborate on with scientists at RBG Kew, including:
- Conservation of plant species at risk of local or global extinction, both in situ and ex situ;
- The ecology and practice of restoration of plant populations and plant communities;
- Analysis and meta-analysis of large databases, for example on the seed biology and germination behaviour of plant species, and on physiological and biochemical properties (e.g. salt tolerance);
- Metabolomics (global study of all small molecules), and its application to studies of seed changes during germination, and root recognition behaviour;
- Exploration of the medicinal and pharmaceutical potential, and allergenic properties, of plant species.
Other ideas outside scientific research would involve RBG Kew’s rich archival resources and academics with interests in art history, heritage and the development of Higher Education initiatives.
To mark this development, University of Sussex Vice-Chancellor Professor Michael Farthing and the Director of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew Professor Steve Hopper, will sign a special Memorandum of Agreement at Kew Gardens.
Following the signing, there will be a reception for invited guests, including Lord Attenborough (Chancellor of the University of Sussex), MPs and representatives from key funding bodies, including Defra and The South East England Development Agency (SEEDA). Guests will also be able to tour the Jodrell Laboratory and the Herbarium at Kew Gardens.
For information about University of Sussex, see www.sussex.ac.uk
MSB press office contact: Sharon Buckley. Tel: 01444 894018 or email msb@kew.org
(29 January 2008)
