A New Hub for Scientific Discovery

UEA’s Centre of Advanced Environmental Microbiology

From soil to sea, UEA’s new centre is putting microorganisms at the heart of global efforts to fight climate change, biodiversity loss and food insecurity.

Microorganisms are the unseen controllers of our planet. Even though many of the greatest challenges facing our world – including climate change, loss of biodiversity and food security – are driven by humans, they are mediated by microorganisms. They shape our climate, sustain biodiversity and underpin global food production – but we barely notice them. Microorganisms make up 60% of the planet’s biomass and sustain the critical processes that keep ecosystems alive. From the air we breathe to the food we eat; these invisible forces sustain life on Earth. But they are under threat.

Building on research excellence

To uncover how microorganisms exert their influence, and work on strategies to meet the planet’s existential challenges head on, UEA is establishing the new Centre of Advanced Environmental Microbiology (CAEM). It is a world-class research hub housed within the iconic Lasdun Wall and supported by philanthropic donations, including grants from The Wolfson Foundation, The Garfield Weston Foundation, and The R.C. Snelling Charitable Trust, to provide state-of-the-art laboratories, technologies and research facilities.

CAEM is a major investment in the study of environmental microbiology, and it aligns with the ‘Campus’ pillar of our Dare to Do Different campaign. The £22m centre is set to lead groundbreaking studies in environmental microbiology, focusing on climate change, biodiversity and sustainability. The centre brings together a wealth of expertise under the leadership of highly cited, prize-winning researchers in environmental microbiology.

From the school of Biological Sciences:

Professor Julea Butt, Dr Andrew Gates, Dr Marcela Hernández, Dr Laura Lehtovirta-Morley and Professor Jonathan Todd.

From the School of Environmental Sciences:

Professor Thomas Mock.

“Life on Earth depends on the movement of nutrients through ecosystems, and microorganisms are crucial to this process. UEA is a global leader in this field, driving forward critical research in environmental microbiology,” says Professor Jonathan Todd. “We have a fantastic opportunity to work with cutting-edge equipment and train the next generation of environmental microbiologists.”

Collaborative approaches and global reach

Located on the second floor of UEA’s new Science Research Laboratories building, CAEM is part of a £150 million transformation of the University’s research infrastructure. This six-storey facility will house laboratories, collaborative workspaces and

teaching areas to support research across Biology, Chemistry, Environmental Sciences and Pharmacy.

CAEM will bring together top scientists and the latest technologies, strengthening partnerships across the Norwich Research Park, including with the Quadram Institute. It will also boost the work of the Centre for Microbial Interactions (CMI), a virtual network of research groups at the Norwich Research Park, creating an environment that encourages collaboration, fosters knowledge exchange and accelerates discoveries that will have real-world applications – from environmental restoration strategies to innovations in sustainable biotechnology. These collaborations will strengthen UEA’s position as a global leader in environmental research and their impact will be felt far beyond UEA and the local area.

“It’s a particularly exciting time to be a microbiologist in Norwich. With more than 100 microbiology research groups on the Norwich Research Park, collaborative working across the partners is embedded in all we do.”

Jonathan Todd,

Professor of Environmental Biology

By working closely with national and international research bodies, including the hugely influential Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), CAEM will provide critical data to shape climate policies and environmental regulations worldwide. UEA has long been a pioneer in climate science, from creating the first global temperature record in the 1970s to leading groundbreaking research on carbon budgets. The CAEM is opening the next chapter in this story, strengthening UEA’s ability to attract top-tier research talent and make discoveries that can change the world.

CAEM will tackle some of the world’s most pressing environmental challenges, including:

• Climate change and biogeochemical cycles

  How do microbes influence the carbon and nitrogen cycles, and how can they help us predict climate patterns and mitigate environmental damage? Researchers are uncovering new ways microbes can absorb greenhouse gases and regulate Earth’s climate.

• Soil and food security

  Soil microbes are essential for crop health and agricultural sustainability. More than 50% of synthetic nitrogen fertiliser applied to fields is lost, leading to inefficiencies in food production and environmental harm. CAEM researchers are developing solutions to improve soil health and ensure long-term global food security.

• Ocean sustainability and clean water

  The world’s oceans absorb 25% of global CO₂ emissions. Marine microbes play a crucial role in this process, but pollution and rising temperatures are threatening their function. By studying microbial interactions in marine ecosystems, CAEM aims to safeguard ocean sustainability and access to clean water.

• Biodiversity and ecosystem resilience

  Microbes are fundamental to ecosystem stability. From rainforests to deep-sea trenches, CAEM researchers are mapping microbial diversity and its role in sustaining life on Earth. Their discoveries will help shape conservation efforts and strategies to combat biodiversity loss.

• Antimicrobial resistance (AMR)

  One of the greatest threats to global health, AMR is linked to microbial evolution and environmental factors. By studying the spread of resistant bacteria in soil and water, CAEM is contributing to solutions that will protect future generations from the rise of untreatable infections.

“Philanthropic funding allows us the flexibility to address the pressing global challenges we face. It’s what makes the creation of centres like CAEM possible, enabling us to make significant strides in climate change and sustainability research.”

Julea Butt,

Professor of Biophysical Chemistry

Stellar philanthropic support:

“UEA’s environmental science expertise gives us full confidence in their ability to lead groundbreaking research. CAEM will drive vital progress in understanding how microorganisms shape the environment and impact human health, tackling global challenges such as antimicrobial resistance and climate change.”

The Garfield Weston Foundation

“We are proud to support CAEM because of UEA’s strong track record in high-quality research and its potential to strengthen the University’s global leadership in climate science. Modernising the Lasdun Wall also supports UEA’s commitment to reducing CO2 emissions and tackling the climate crisis.”

Paul Ramsbottom,

Chief Executive of The Wolfson Foundation

Clinical Anatomy Suite: investing in tomorrow’s healthcare leaders

Our supporters are also enabling the redevelopment of the Clinical Anatomy Suite at UEA – an essential component of medical education that will train the next generation of healthcare professionals. By the summer of 2026, this suite will relocate from its present site in the Queen’s Building, to the Edith Cavell Building, adjacent to the Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital (NNUH).

This £8.5m investment will provide state-of-the-art facilities for all our medical students, for whom anatomical training is a vital part of their course.

To find out more about these projects and how you can support this initiative, please visit our website or get in touch.