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Centre for Novel Agricultural Products (CNAP)  -  Biology to benefit society

The Centre for Novel Agricultural Products (CNAP) uses cutting edge scientific methods and knowledge to harness the power of nature for the development of new products and processes to address some of the major global challenges of the 21st century. CNAP has been using excellent science to underpin industrial biotechnology for 20 years in projects that encompass plant and microbial sciences for the development of sustainable fuel, pharmaceutical and chemical industries, and to enhance food security. CNAP provides a creative and enabling environment to around 80 staff and students, led by five professors:  Ian Bancroft, Neil Bruce (CNAP Director), Katherine Denby, Ian Graham and Simon McQueen-Mason.

CNAP is committed to using world-leading bioscience to underpin progress towards providing sustainable supplies of food, energy and chemicals. Our work includes improving the quality and productivity of food crops, especially oil and fibre crops, as well as adding value to the non-food components of major crops. In addition to addressing science to underpin the establishment of sustainable biorefinery approaches to provision the supply of fuels and chemicals from plant biomass without compromising food security, our research also encompasses the development of plants for use in environmental decontamination. CNAP carries out research into both mainstream and so-called orphan crops that have been domesticated for centuries, but not yet subjected to intensive modern breeding.

Professor Neil Bruce, CNAP Director‌                          ‌‌‌‌‌

Recent news:

• Seeing the light: unlocking seed germination Key gene identified.

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  GINs to improve UK crops! Agri-Tech Strategy funding award for Ian Bancroft led OREGIN Network.

  

• Potential for strengthening natural plant defence to reduce crop waste Research by Katherine Denby and team with colleagues at Warwick published in ACS Synthetic Biology.
• Ian Graham appointed to BBSRC Council Congratulations to Ian, who takes up his new role from April 2018.
• Ancient insects hold the key to future biofuel production? New research led by CNAP and published in Nature Communications  reveals surprising ability of ancient insects to efficiently digest cellulose.

• New breakthrough in battle to clean up land contaminated by munitions

Gene improves removal of TNT from contaminated soil: study just published in New Phytologist.‌‌

• Plant 'chemical factory' discovery

New research published in PNAS suggests potential for utilisation of natural 'chemical factory' system within plant.

Latest News

Researchers discovered how catmint evolved to intoxicate cats!

• Neil Bruce took over as CNAP Director in January 2020

• CNAP celebrated its 20th anniversary in December 2019!

Ian Graham interviewed on Radio 5 live and podcast

Secret to making renewable energy from wood? The digestive system of the gribble may hold the key!

2 new Networks in Industrial Biotechnology awarded! Congratulations to Ian Graham and Simon McQueen-Mason, who will each lead a phase II NIBB.

New bioeconomy initiative launch in York - BioYork established.

Poppy genome decoded DNA code of the opium poppy genome determined.

Strengthening links with India: 2 major new research projects Funding secured by CNAP PIs.