A research centre in Norwich has been given a �2.5m grant for work it is doing to develop new strains of cereal.
The money is included in �20m of life sciences investment announced today and will go to the John Innes Centre at the Norwich Research Park.
Minister for universities and science David Willetts said: 'Synthetic biology could provide solutions to the global challenges we face and offers significant growth opportunities in a range of important sectors from health to energy.
'However the commercialisation of basic science is largely untapped. This investment is part of the government's commitment to making the UK a world leader in the research and application of synthetic biology.
'It will help to ensure that academics and industry can realise its full potential.'
The money will pay for research to develop strains of cereal that are less reliant on fertilizer.
See tomorrow's paper for the full story.
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