Hutton awarded £1m from the Wolfson Foundation to support Phenotyping Centre

“We are very grateful to the Wolfson Foundation for this funding, which will be used in setting up of the Hutton Molecular Phenotyping Centre at our site in Invergowrie. Aligning with the funding we have received from the Tay Cities Deal, this new Centre with its state-of-the-art technology, will enable us to have unrivalled ability in creating, translating and applying science for the benefit of all”

The James Hutton Institute has been awarded £1 million by the Wolfson Foundation, for equipment to support a new Molecular Phenotyping Centre. The Foundation is an independent charity with a focus on research and education. Its aim is to support civil society by investing in excellent projects in science, health, heritage, humanities and the arts.

Our researchers will use the phenotyping equipment to understand how different environmental conditions affect plants at the molecular level. This knowledge can then be used to inform crop-based solutions to sustainable food, energy and environmental security.

Professor Colin Campbell, CEO, The James Hutton Institute said: “We are very grateful to the Wolfson Foundation for this funding, which will be used in setting up of the Hutton Molecular Phenotyping Centre at our site in Invergowrie.

“Aligning with the funding we have received from the Tay Cities Deal, this new Centre with its state-of-the-art technology, will enable us to have unrivalled ability in creating, translating and applying science for the benefit of all.”

Paul Ramsbottom, chief executive of the Wolfson Foundation said: “The James Hutton Institute is recognised as a global leader in crop science, with an impressive track record of innovations that have been widely adopted in plant breeding and agriculture.

“It is a huge pleasure to be announcing Wolfson’s first ever grant to the Institute as they expand their much-needed research into sustainable food production, which will help to tackle the ugly challenges of climate change and biodiversity loss.”

In its latest round of awards, the Foundation has awarded over £19 million in grants to capital projects – buildings, refurbishments and equipment. Some of the other projects to be awarded funding include hospices and historic buildings, laboratories and a supported living accommodation, classrooms and a cathedral.

Since it was established in 1955, some £1 billion (£2 billion in real terms) has been awarded by the Foundation to more than 12,000 projects throughout the UK, all on the basis of expert review.

Notes to editors

View a map of the Foundation’s latest funding

About the Wolfson Foundation

The Wolfson Foundation is an independent charity with a focus on research and education. Its aim is to support civil society by investing in excellent projects in science, health, heritage, humanities and the arts.

Since it was established in 1955, some £1 billion (£2 billion in real terms) has been awarded to more than 12,000 projects throughout the UK, all on the basis of expert review.

Twitter: @wolfsonfdn