Cutting edge research: The Centre for Microbial Interactions

Norwich is home to some of the UK’s top research institutions, including The Quadram Institute, John Innes Centre, The Sainsbury Laboratory, Earlham Institute, Norfolk and Norwich University Hospitals, and the University of East Anglia.

The Centre for Microbial Interactions is a new initiative to support and promote microbiology expertise from across Norwich Research Park.

This blog was written by representatives from the Centre of Microbial Interactions, as they offer insights to the new centre and its scientists.

Our microbiology research, covers a wide range of topics from antimicrobial resistance and biotechnology to infection biology and environmental science. The talent pool is diverse and multidisciplinary – enabling innovative solutions to global challenges.

Two scientists smiling in a lab — Credit: Quadram-Institute-scaled

The Centre for Microbial interactions started as an internal network in 2017 and has grown into a formal Centre that was officially launched in September 2024. The Centre was developed to foster collaboration, both internally and externally, and to showcase the strength of Norwich’s microbiology research.

It will help connect researchers to facilitate interdisciplinary work and promote our expertise on a global scale.

Norwich Research Park is home to over 100 microbiology research groups and lecturers making it one of the world’s largest concentrations of microbiologists on a single site.

Credit: Quadram Institute

The scientific community in Norwich is incredibly dynamic, collaborative, and international.

The collaborative environment means that businesses can partner with leading scientists to innovate and develop new products or solutions. The Anglian Innovation Partnership plays a key role in fostering collaboration at Norwich Research Park, helping to build new communities and bridge the gap between businesses and scientific expertise.

With researchers from different institutions working together, there’s a real sense of teamwork and shared purpose. The community is diverse, covering a wide range of disciplines, and is known for its openness to new ideas and partnerships.

The Centre for Microbial Interactions provides a platform for researchers to share their work, apply for collaborative grants, and participate in events like conferences and seminars.

Additionally, Norwich’s institutions regularly offer studentships, job openings, and internships for those looking to advance their careers.

CREDIT-Pete-Huggins-Camera-Techniques-Ltd

Norwich is increasingly recognised as a hub for cutting-edge science and technology, with institutions and startups contributing to transformative advancements.

The launch of the Centre for Microbial Interactions will solidify Norwich’s position as a global leader in microbiology and will aim to attract more research investment.

The Centre will also help to coordinate our impacts on government policy and promote the region to boost recruitment of staff and students.

Additionally, it will focus on training the next generation of scientists, ensuring that Norwich continues to drive high-quality research and innovation.

A note from the authors:

I would just like to highlight that the Centre for Microbial Interactions is a fantastic hub for anyone interested in microbiology. We’re always open to new ideas and collaborations, and we have an exciting programme of events lined up, including our first annual conference in February 2025.

Whether you’re a scientist, a business, or just curious about what we do, Norwich is the place to be for cutting-edge research that makes a real-world difference.

-Raphael Lwesya, Sam Rowe

Quadram Institute

CREDIT: Ruby O’Grady

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