Environmental Biology Group
The Environmental Biology Group provides quality research and support services to government and the private sector in the area of environmental protection and sustainable land use. Our work focuses on risk analysis, the impact of chemicals, wider biodiversity issues and changes in land management, in order to develop sustainable farming practices and minimise environmental impact.
Overview
Our science contributes to the development of cost-effective mitigation or adaptive strategies in response to long-term trends, such as the diversification of the rural economy, increasing global trade of food commodities and climate change. We contribute to evidence-based policy making by providing research and surveillance data, expert interpretation and advice.
We also play a key role in ensuring public confidence in new technologies in farming and food production, such as non-food crops, renewable energy sources and genetically modified (GM) crops.
The Group's work contributes to the following key scientific areas:
- Ecotoxicology and environmental chemistry - Assessment and management of risks posed to the environment and conservation of biodiversity from pollutants and contaminants.
- Sustainable land use - Support for the development of environmentally and economically sustainable pest and disease management, environmental assessment, and other issues relating to land use.
- Alternative crops and land use - Support for the development of alternative land-use policies and assessment of the impact of those policies on sustainable rural economies and the environment.
Customers
Pesticides Safety Directorate (PSD)
Veterinary Medicines Directorate (VMD)
Environment Agency
Home Office
Health and Safety Executive (HSE)
Food Standards Agency (FSA)
EU
Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC)
Agrochemical industry
Private sector
Our capabilities are underpinned by state-of-the-art facilities and resources, including a fully equipped animal unit, insect supply unit, quarantine and non-quarantine pesticides laboratories, radiochemistry, endocrinology and immunology laboratories.
The laboratories contain a full range of specialist equipment such as computer-controlled precision bench, plate and substrate spraying equipment and associated analytical equipment, GC-EAG, GC-MS, LC-MS, ICP-MS, Maldi-Tof MS, HPLC systems, ASE (Accelerated Solvent Extraction) system, PCR, Savant concentrator, ultracentrifuge fumigation chambers and liquid scintillation counters.