Scientists at Aberystwyth University developing new plants in an attempt to combat climate change have been awarded a prestigious UK educational award.
The Institute of Biological, Environmental and Rural Sciences is receiving the Queen's Anniversary Prize for Further and Higher Education.
One of its projects was to make crops grown in the world's hottest and driest regions more resistant to drought.
The announcement was made at St James's Palace in London at a reception.
The biennial Queen's anniversary prizes are awarded to institutions of higher and further education for work of outstanding excellence.
The Institute of Biological, Environmental and Rural Sciences (Ibers) said its scientists had been recognised for successfully combining research on plant genetics with plant breeding techniques to develop "commercially viable varieties".
Disease resistant
This, it added, went some way towards meeting the challenges of food supply, water and energy security and environmental sustainability which are facing communities across the world.
The breeding process has developed new high-sugar plant varieties and disease resistant pearl millet which has been developed in collaboration with breeders in India.
The award also recognises the way Ibers is helping to produce the next generation of plant breeders.
Vice-chancellor of Aberystwyth University Professor Noel Lloyd said: "I am delighted that Aberystwyth University has been awarded a Queen's Anniversary Prize.
"It is confirmation of the importance of the work which is carried out within the Institute of Biological, Environmental and Rural Sciences.
"The university is committed to addressing the important issues in land based science, and to do so it is necessary to assemble a wide range of expertise.
"There is a seamless connection between scientific research and innovation, and the transfer of scientific and technological know-how to support land-based industry and the development of public policy is an important objective."
Ibers director Prof Wayne Powell said he received the award on behalf of the "talented and hard-working scientists and staff".
He added: "It recognises the commitment and dedication of high calibre visionaries working in plant breeding at Aberystwyth over the last 20 years, who in turn have built on work that extends over the 90 years since the Welsh Plant Breeding Station was established by the university in 1919."
Ibers was formed out of a merger between the Institute of Grassland and Environmental Research and Aberystwyth University in April 2008.
© MMIX
