Keele University is to create a new purpose-built insect research laboratory on its campus – with the help of a £623,000 grant.
It will allow scientists to carry out vital research to tackle the spread of deadly diseases and reduce crop losses to pests in the UK and across the globe.
The new laboratory will be developed with the help of the six-figure grant from the Wolfson Foundation, enabling Keele to further enhance its international reputation as a world leader in entomology.
The facility will feature seven environmentally controlled walk-in chambers to house a range of insects. The chambers will be fully insulated and programmable to create and maintain precise climate conditions, including sunlight, humidity and temperature controls.
The laboratory will allow scientists at Keele to advance their studies of insects and their relationship to humans, the environment and other organisms.
This work aims to discover new and improved ways of halting the spread of deadly mosquito-borne diseases, and the destruction of crops by insects.
Last week Daily Focus reported that Keele-led research had received a $750,000 backing from the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation to support research into controlling and eliminating malaria.
Professor Mark Ormerod, Deputy Vice-Chancellor and Provost of Keele, said: “This new insectary will provide a step-change increase in the quality of facilities to support current and future entomology projects, enable future studies, maintain a strategic capability, and continue to further enhance Keele’s international reputation as a world leader in entomology.”
The Wolfson Foundation is an independent charity with a focus on research and education. Its aim is to support civil society by investing in excellent projects in science, health, heritage, humanities and the arts.
Since it was established in 1955, some £1 billion (£2 billion in real terms) has been awarded to more than 12,000 projects throughout the UK, all on the basis of expert review.
Paul Ramsbottom, Chief Executive of the Wolfson Foundation, said: “Access to a modern, well-equipped insectary will allow entomologists at Keele to pursue vital research in fields such as halting the spread of deadly mosquito-borne diseases and minimising crop losses, both here in the UK and – crucially – in the Majority World.”
