Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council - Institutes of BBSRC

Institutes of BBSRC

The Council strategically funds eight research institutes in the UK, and a number of centres (BBSRC: Institutes and centres).

The Institutes are tasked with delivering innovative, world class bioscience research and training, leading to wealth and job creation, generating high returns for the UK economy. They have strong links with business, industry and the wider community, and support policy development.

The institutes' research underpins key sectors of the UK economy such as agriculture, bioenergy, biotechnology, food and drink and pharmaceuticals. In addition, the institutes maintain unique research facilities of national importance.

• Babraham Institute (BI) (Cambridge)
• The Institute of Biological, Environmental and Rural Sciences (IBERS) part of Aberystwyth University, (Aberystwyth)
• Institute of Food Research (IFR) (Norwich)
• John Innes Centre (JIC) (Norwich)
• Rothamsted Research (Harpenden)
• The Genome Analysis Centre (TGAC) (Norwich)
• The Pirbright Institute (Pirbright) (Norwich), formerly the Institute for Animal Health (IAH) (Norwich)
• The Roslin Institute (RI), part of the The University of Edinburgh, (East Lothian)

Other research institutes have merged with each other or with local universities. Previous BBSRC (or AFRC) sponsored institutes include:

• Institute of Grassland and Environmental Research (IGER - Aberystwyth), merged with the University of Aberystwyth 2008
• The Roslin Institute (RI - Edinburgh), merged with the University of Edinburgh 2008
• Letcombe Laboratory
• Long Ashton Research Station (LARS - Bristol)
• the Plant Breeding Institute (PBI - Cambridge)
• the Weed Research Organisation (WRO - Oxford)
• Silsoe Research Institute (SRI - Bedfordshire) was closed in 2006.