Mr. Tim Willis, Associate Director International of the Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council, was visiting the CEPAMS labs. (Image by IGDB)
The delegation toured the Centre of Excellence for Plant and Microbial Science (CEPAMS), a joint initiative established by CAS, the John Innes Centre (JIC), and The Sainsbury Laboratory (TSL). Professor LU Fei, Deputy Director of IGDB, Professor CAO Xiaofeng, CAS Member and Co-Director of CEPAMS, and several CEPAMS group leaders received the visitors.
Mr. Willis first visited multiple laboratories to learn about CEPAMS's operations and research outputs. During the subsequent discussion session, Professor LU Fei remarked that Chinese and UK research communities have built a robust foundation of mutual trust and partnership over years of engagement. He highlighted that CEPAMS as a flagship platform for China-UK collaboration in the life sciences, which delivers valuable contributions to joint research and the training of early-career researchers.
Professor CAO Xiaofeng FRS provided an overview of the development of CEPAMS and presented recent research advances in areas including climate-resilient crop breeding, AI-powered breeding robotics, and biosynthesis of bioactive compounds from traditional Chinese medicine. She noted that, during the centre’s next five-year phase of collaboration, CEPAMS will continue to tackle research challenges relating to food security and sustainable agriculture.
Mr. Tim Willis introduced the UKRI’s international strategy and global cooperation activities. He updated participants on the priority areas for future China–UK cooperation defined in the statement from the 11th UK-China Joint Commission Meeting (JCM) on Science and Technology (S&T), where agriculture and food are identified as a key priority area for future bilateral research collaboration. He also outlined the international cooperation priorities of BBSRC in the field of agriculture and food, stressing that BBSRC will continue to support China–UK collaborative exploration in agri-food research, and promote talent exchanges, particularly those involving young scientists.
Both sides exchanged views on a range of topics, including the future development of the CEPAMS platform, the CEPAMS Rising Star Programme, promoting early-career researchers and cross-border exchanges for researchers and technical staff. Drawing on the solid foundation of collaboration established through CEPAMS, the two sides also expressed their continued support for agricultural and food research, to address global challenges including climate change and food security, and to further strengthen UK-China scientific research partnership.
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Mr. Tim Willis, Associate Director International of the Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council, was visiting the CEPAMS labs. (Image by IGDB)On the afternoon of 13 October 2026, Mr. Tim Willis, Associate Director International of the Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC), UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) and Ms Fang Ma, Programme Manager at the UKRI China Office, visited the Institute of Genetics and Developmental Biology (IGDB), Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS).The delegation toured the Centre of Excellence for Plant and Microbial Science (CEPAMS), a joint initiative established by CAS, the John Innes Centre (JIC), and The Sainsbury Laboratory (TSL). Professor LU Fei, Deputy Director of IGDB, Professor CAO Xiaofeng, CAS Member and Co-Director of CEPAMS, and several CEPAMS group leaders received the visitors.Mr. Willis first visited multiple laboratories to learn about CEPAMS's operations and research outputs. During the subsequent discussion session, Professor LU Fei remarked that Chinese and UK research communities have built a robust foundation of mutual trust and partnership over years of engagement. He highlighted that CEPAMS as a flagship platform for China-UK collaboration in the life sciences, which delivers valuable contributions to joint research and the training of early-career researchers.Professor CAO Xiaofeng FRS provided an overview of the development of CEPAMS and presented recent research advances in areas including climate-resilient crop breeding, AI-powered breeding robotics, and biosynthesis of bioactive compounds from traditional Chinese medicine. She noted that, during the centre’s next five-year phase of collaboration, CEPAMS will continue to tackle research challenges relating to food security and sustainable agriculture.Mr. Tim Willis introduced the UKRI’s international strategy and global cooperation activities. He updated participants on the priority areas for future China–UK cooperation defined in the statement from the 11th UK-China Joint Commission Meeting (JCM) on Science and Technology (S&T), where agriculture and food are identified as a key priority area for future bilateral research collaboration. He also outlined the international cooperation priorities of BBSRC in the field of agriculture and food, stressing that BBSRC will continue to support China–UK collaborative exploration in agri-food research, and promote talent exchanges, particularly those involving young scientists.Both sides exchanged views on a range of topics, including the future development of the CEPAMS platform, the CEPAMS Rising Star Programme, promoting early-career researchers and cross-border exchanges for researchers and technical staff. Drawing on the solid foundation of collaboration established through CEPAMS, the two sides also expressed their continued support for agricultural and food research, to address global challenges including climate change and food security, and to further strengthen UK-China scientific research partnership.
