Department of Plant Sciences Cambridge

@camplantsci

News, research and updates from the Department of Plant Sciences at the University of Cambridge.🌱🔬 🌾

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Department of Plant Sciences Cambridge@camplantsci· 2d

Job opportunity! Project Manager We are seeking an engaged and flexible Project Manager to oversee the delivery programme across the Central England partnership of hubs and nodes. Apply by 31 August 2026: www.cam.ac.uk/jobs/project...

Department of Plant Sciences Cambridge@camplantsci· 2d

Job opportunity! Research Associate An opportunity to investigate how plant roots respond to infection by the emerging root-knot nematode Meloidogyne enterolobii. Apply by 31 August 2026: www.cam.ac.uk/jobs/researc...

Department of Plant Sciences Cambridge@camplantsci· 2d

Job opportunity! Research Assistant / Research Associate An opportunity to work with large-scale global plot data and citizen-science occurrence databases to create climate-informed Species Distribution Models for commercial timber species. Apply by 26 August 2026: www.cam.ac.uk/jobs/researc...

Department of Plant Sciences Cambridge@camplantsci· 4d

How quickly do tropical forests recover if left to regrow naturally? 🌳 A new study from @camplantsci uses high-res lidar to map carbon recovery in Brazil’s Atlantic Forest. It reveals the hidden power of passive restoration. 🧵🧪 @cam.ac.uk @clr-cambridge.bsky.social @cambridgebiosci.bsky.social

A view of the fragmented Atlantic Forest landscape, showing a mosaic of different land uses and forest patches at varying stages of succession. The landscape illustrates the diverse land-use patterns and opportunities for forest restoration across the region. Credit: Felipe Begliomini.

Department of Plant Sciences Cambridge@camplantsci· 19d

Researchers, plant breeders, funders & farmers are invited to register their interest for the Africa Crop Forum 2026 - Abidjan, Côte d'Ivoire, October 2026. The forum will focus on collaborative solutions to African agricultural challenges including climate resilience. 👉 tinyurl.com/4bm69yr9

Dr Pearl Abu speaks at the Breeders Panel at the International Partnerships Event held in Cambridge in 2025. Credit: University of Cambridge.

Department of Plant Sciences Cambridge@camplantsci· 19d

A faster, cheaper way to map the world's forests with AI - great article here about @geotessera.org research involving James Ball & David Coomes from @camplantsci.bsky.social 👉 tinyurl.com/mv8cs78y @cambridgebiosci.bsky.social @camzoology.bsky.social 🧪

Tessera embeddings over the mountainous region of Trentino, Italy. Credit: James Ball / Tessera, University of Cambridge.

Department of Plant Sciences Cambridge@camplantsci· Jul 16

We're excited to be collaborating with @ox.ac.uk on a major new project to digitise over a million natural history specimens for climate research. Read more: tinyurl.com/ynb2rk7z @docbroc.bsky.social @jackdashby.bsky.social @cambridgebiosci.bsky.social @cam.ac.uk 🧪 #DigitalCollections #DiSSCoUK

Narcissus specimens held by the Cambridge University Herbarium. Credit: Cambridge University Herbarium.

Matt Lowe and Jack Ashby with some of the moth collection, Cambridge University Museum of Zoology. (C) University of Cambridge.

Plant specimen from University of Leicester Herbarium. (C) Leicester LTR Herbarium.

Zoë Simmons, Head of Life Collections at the Museum of Natural History, University of Oxford, holding a drawer of Orange-Tip Butterflies (Anthocharis cardamines), with some specimens over 100 years old

Department of Plant Sciences Cambridge@camplantsci· Jul 7

Job opportunity! Research Laboratory Technician An opportunity to support and perform various routine and higher-level molecular biology techniques of a pioneering new effort to generate fully synthetic plant chromosomes. Apply by Sunday 26 July 2026: www.cam.ac.uk/jobs/researc...

Department of Plant Sciences Cambridge@camplantsci· Jul 7

Job opportunity! Research Assistant / Research Associate An opportunity to be a part of a pioneering new effort to generate fully synthetic plant chromosomes. Apply by Sunday 19 July 2026: www.cam.ac.uk/jobs/researc...

Department of Plant Sciences Cambridge@camplantsci· Jun 25

Congratulations to Uta Paszkowski - recognised as a 2026 Top Agri-food Pioneers by the World Food Prize Foundation. We're proud to see Uta's work celebrated as one of 40 leaders transforming food systems worldwide! tinyurl.com/2paku43x @paszkowskilab.bsky.social @cambridgebiosci.bsky.social

Professor Uta Paszkowski at St John's College, Cambridge where she is a Fellow. Credit: Nathan Pitt. © University of Cambridge.

Department of Plant Sciences Cambridge@camplantsci· Jun 18

New 'Science' paper from @camplantsci.bsky.social & @stanforddoerr.bsky.social shows that climate benefits of reduced grazing depend heavily on global supply chains. Read more: tinyurl.com/3zjds5xh @cam.ac.uk @cambridgebiosci.bsky.social @afapellegrini.bsky.social 🧪

Cows grazing at Big Sur, California, USA. Credit: Manel Vinuesa / Getty Images.

Department of Plant Sciences Cambridge@camplantsci· Jun 18

Job opportunity! Research Assistant / Associate x2 An opportunity to work on mathematical and computational modelling of plant disease spread and control, as part of major European research projects addressing plant health threats. Apply by Sunday 12 July 2026: www.cam.ac.uk/jobs/researc...

Department of Plant Sciences Cambridge@camplantsci· Jun 17

Over half of global tree species are now growing outside their native ranges. A new study involving Prof. David Edwards @camplantsci.bsky.social highlights the factors driving this unprecedented redistribution of the world’s tree species outside their natural habitats. tinyurl.com/3vk65s68

Radiata pine plantation in New Zealand. Credit: Photon-Photos / Getty Images.

Department of Plant Sciences Cambridge@camplantsci· Jun 17

Congratulations to Professor Sir David Baulcombe - Regius Professor of Botany Emeritus @camplantsci.bsky.social - on his election as Master of Trinity College Cambridge. He will succeed Professor Dame Sally Davies who steps down in September. tinyurl.com/yz97jd25 🧪 @cambridgebiosci.bsky.social

Professor Sir David Baulcombe in the Fellows’ Garden at Trinity College, Cambridge. Credit: Elly White/Trinity College Cambridge.

Department of Plant Sciences Cambridge@camplantsci· Jun 9

New research from @tulaneu.bsky.social with Dr Tom Worthington from @camplantsci.bsky.social, shows global mangrove forests - vital for carbon storage & coastal resilience - are making a recovery. Read more: tinyurl.com/497p6hft @cambridgebiosci.bsky.social @conservation.cam.ac.uk @cam.ac.uk🧪

Department of Plant Sciences Cambridge@camplantsci· Jun 8

Prof Nik Cunniffe to lead Cambridge contribution to #PhytoPRISM – a new a €6 million EU Horizon project to build the first platform capable of coordinating Europe's response to devastating agricultural and forest pest invasions. Read more: tinyurl.com/mvd3yt4j @cambridgebiosci.bsky.social

Dead olive trees from Xylella fastidiosa, Italy. Credit: Fabiomichelecapelli. Getty Images.

Department of Plant Sciences Cambridge@camplantsci· Jun 3

New research from involving @camplantsci.bsky.social published in @nature.com today, reveals a hidden cost of the 'green mineral rush' in widespread deforestation across Africa. Read more about the paper: tinyurl.com/35ea4mdf @cambridgebiosci.bsky.social

Mining at Muchacha, Democratic Republic of Congo, along the Ituri River. Credit: WCS/ICCN

Department of Plant Sciences Cambridge@camplantsci· Jun 2

We're delighted to announce Uta Paszkowski as the new Russell R. Geiger Chair in Crop Science - a prestigious academic chair at @cam.ac.uk that serves as a cornerstone for cutting-edge agricultural research, sustainability and global food security. 🌍🌱🧪 tinyurl.com/39k489sd

Professor Uta Paszkowski, Crop Science Centre Director and Russell R. Geiger Professor of Crop Science in the gardens at St John's College where she is a Fellow. Credit: Nathan Pitt. © University of Cambridge.

Department of Plant Sciences Cambridge@camplantsci· May 27

Huge congratulations to Beverley Glover & Uta Paszkowski on being elected Fellows of the @royalsociety.org - a wonderful recognition of their significant contributions to plant sciences! 🎉 Read more: tinyurl.com/3vetucr4 @beverleycubg.bsky.social @paszkowskilab.bsky.social 🧪

Professor Beverley Glover (left) and Professor Uta Paszkowski (right) – new Fellows of the Royal Society 2026. Photos © University of Cambridge.

Department of Plant Sciences Cambridge@camplantsci· May 7

Where could a PhD in Plant Sciences take you? Holly Astley shares how her time at @cam.ac.uk shaped her path from PhD to to a dynamic career in biotech. Read Holly's story: tinyurl.com/yeypt5vv @cambridgebiosci.bsky.social @yourscambridge.bsky.social

Holly Astley and the view from her home office in Shropshire. She’s grateful to be able to work remotely while building a fulfilling, intellectually engaging career that continues to draw on her scientific training and expertise. Photo provided by Holly.

Department of Plant Sciences Cambridge@camplantsci· May 6

Gap year role: temporary technician www.plantsci.cam.ac.uk/technician An opportunity for a student to gain experience in laboratory techniques and working in a scientific environment. Please note this is for a local Cambridge area-based sixth former who's gap year will start this September.

Department of Plant Sciences Cambridge@camplantsci· May 6

Job opportunity! Research Lab Phenotyping & Horticulture Tech An opportunity to provide support focusing on the phenotypic characterisation of rice and maize with the care of plant material in the controlled environmental rooms and glasshouse. Apply by Wednesday 20 May 2026: tinyurl.com/2yzrjm4m

Department of Plant Sciences Cambridge@camplantsci· Apr 28

Nudibranchs, sea slugs and statistics: Cambridge Natural Sciences students reflect on this year’s Evolutionary Biology field course in Pembrokeshire this April. Read more: tinyurl.com/eweaz8hx @cambridgebiosci.bsky.social @cam.ac.uk @camzoology.bsky.social @yourscambridge.bsky.social 🧪

Callum Russell taking a brief break from being enthralled by nudibranchs. Credit Hamish Symington.

Millie, Jess and Lidia take a brief break from looking at peacock worms’ behaviour. Credit Hamish Symington.

Omer, Christian, Jess and Marina after sampling crescent liverwort from a stream. Credit Hamish Symington.

Walking up to the Gann flats to count peacock worms on the project day. Credit: Marina Pothos-Tapper

Department of Plant Sciences Cambridge@camplantsci· Apr 28

Congratulations to Uta Paszkowski whose election to the US National Academy of Sciences was formally recognised last week, marking her official induction as an International Member of one of the world’s most prestigious scientific institutions: tinyurl.com/ufw9e7pa @paszkowskilab.bsky.social 🧪

Professor Uta Paszkowski at the NAS signing ceremony in Washington, US. Photo provided by Professor Paszkowski.

Department of Plant Sciences Cambridge@camplantsci· Apr 20

Liverworts as laboratories: new study highlights the role of transporter MpABCG1 for sequestering terpenes in liverwort oil bodies - enhancing our understanding of how we could produce high-value medicines like anti-cancer drugs using sustainable plant-based factories. tinyurl.com/v9umnkvh

A young Marchantia plant (‘gemma’, a clonal bud) visualised using fluorescent proteins that highlight different cell types and structures. Image provided by Edith Forestier.

Department of Plant Sciences Cambridge@camplantsci· Apr 14

Latest research from @jimhaseloff.bsky.social's lab @camplantsci.bsky.social sheds new light on the evolution of plant cell division & could unlock new ways to engineer crop growth. 👉 tinyurl.com/5n7h2n58 @fromani.bsky.social @ignacybo.bsky.social @cambridgebiosci.bsky.social 🧪

Dividing cells of Marchantia polymorpha near the apical meristem expressing a phase-specific marker (MpCDKB, yellow). Credit: Facundo Romani

Schematic model of the simple cell-cycle control system in Marchantia. Credit: Facundo Romani

Department of Plant Sciences Cambridge@camplantsci· Apr 13

Fantastic gap-year opportunity for a local 6th-form student - we are looking for a temporary technician to help with undergraduate practical classes from September 2026 to March 2027. Find out more & apply: www.plantsci.cam.ac.uk/technician Application deadline: 22 May 2026. Please share 🧪

Gap-year opportunity: temporary technician

Department of Plant Sciences Cambridge@camplantsci· Apr 13

From Plant Sciences Part II to painting the road verges of Britain – in the latest of our alumni stories, award-winning botanical painter Nessie Ramm shares how her time at @cam.ac.uk inspired her art & community work. tinyurl.com/3ucac5eh @yourscambridge.bsky.social @cambridgebiosci.bsky.social

Nessie Ramm in her studio. Photo by James Ratchford.

'Reduce Speed Now' painting by Nessie Ramm

A21 Dandelions at Lamberhurst, oil on road sign panel, by Nessie Ramm

Nessie Ramm painting the study on the road side at Robertsbridge, East Sussex

Department of Plant Sciences Cambridge@camplantsci· Apr 1

Hacking photosynthesis for a food-secure future - global teams use AI / ML to find genetic links for climate-resilient crops in Africa at hackathon in Ghana: tinyurl.com/3uuu6c9d @openjii.bsky.social @rwth.bsky.social @cambridgeafrica.bsky.social @cgiar.org @plantphys-cam.bsky.social @cam.ac.uk

Participants at the international photosynthesis hackathon 2026. From left to right: top row - Olakunle Sansa, Joseph Mhango, Johannes Kromdijk, Wajiha Abdullahi Muaz, Andris Finkbeiner, Marvin van Aalst, Jacky To, Dominik Vrbic, Olusegun Akinyemi, Elouen Corvest, Tom Theeuwen; middle row - Georgina Lala Ehemba, Kenneth Chukwuka Mkpuma, Anna Matuszyńska, Thierry Hodehou, Zsa Zsa Boyny, Anika Unger, Omotola Dorcas Olaoye, Uchendu Ugochukwu Kelechi; bottom row - Ifeoluwa Odesina, Ihuoma Ogechi, Regina Tende, Mary Olayinka, Kolawole Olalekan, Olivia Kacheyo, Adenike Oluwaseun Dad, Isaac Osei-Bonsu, Esther Anokye, Olukunle Babatunde Bashir, Solomon Ntukidem, Olalekan K.Obisesan. Photo credit: IITA-CGIAR.

Participants at the international photosynthesis hackathon 2026. Photo credit: IITA-CGIAR.

Department of Plant Sciences Cambridge@camplantsci· Apr 1

Job opportunity! Research Associate An opportunity to join our team to work on a set of single cell technologies which be used to investigate the interplay between nutrient and symbiosis signalling at cellular resolution in rice. Apply by Friday 17 April 2026: www.cam.ac.uk/jobs/researc...