New $3.7M Climate Crop Lab Will Create Food for ‘Tomorrow’s Atmosphere Today’

A unique $3.7m plant lab will put researchers on the frontline in the fight against climate change and create crops for “tomorrow’s atmosphere today”.  

The new flagship facility at the University of Essex will allow scientists to adapt plants for a hotter drier planet as food security is increasingly threatened. 

It boasts a cutting-edge commercially standard vertical farm, an indoor field that replicates real environments anywhere in the globe, and suites that imitate a warming world – with researchers able to raise CO2 concentration and temperature levels at will.  

Computer plant scanning technology will also be used to monitor plants as they grow – and pinpoint precise changes in photosynthesis.   

The research will be underpinned by AI and robotics that will develop new ideas, technologies, and strategies to predict how agriculture and the natural world are changing. 

With the human population expected to reach 9.7 billion by 2050, a step-change in agricultural productivity, sustainability and resilience is needed to keep up with food demand.  

'Secure everyone's future'

World-leading biologist Professor Tracy Lawson is spearheading the project, which builds on her decades of pioneering work into plant productivity, improving photosynthetic process and boosting crop water use. 

Professor Lawson said: “This amazing facility places plant research at Essex in 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. 

“This state-of-the-art facility will help the world cope with a growing population by ensuring future food security by developing climate resilient plants.” 

The University will be the first in the UK to have a commercial standard vertical farm and is the only lab in the nation to combine all the facilities.