Niab contributing to Future of Food exhibition at the Science Museum

Scientist examining plants in a growth chamber - Science Museum Group

Over the past year staff from Niab’s Crop Transformation department have been planning a contribution to a major new exhibition at the Science Museum in London.

The new Future of Food exhibition explores how science is creating more sustainable ways of producing and consuming food, showcasing food production from ancient times to cutting edge technologies, and looking into the social and environmental considerations.

One of the exhibits in the exhibition is a plant growth chamber on loan from Weiss Gallenkamp filled with living tissue culture exhibits produced by Melanie Craze and Prachi Kangokar from the Niab Crop Transformation Department. These demonstrate the processes Niab uses to regenerate and grow potato and wheat plants in tissue culture. This exhibit is accompanied by a video filmed in Niab’s crop transformation laboratories explaining the process of genetic transformation.

A third exhibit provided by Dr Anindya Kundu demonstrates nodule-like structures on barley roots – similar to those found on the roots of legume species. This is an important step on the long road to the development of cereals which might one day fix their own nitrogen.

Dr Emma Wallington, Niab’s Head of Crop Transformation, said: ‘The Future of Food exhibition gives Niab an opportunity to showcase some of our plant biotechnology expertise to a wider audience, explaining the techniques we use and how these can play important part in the future of food. We are delighted to be part of this major exhibition in London.’

The free exhibition is open now and runs until 4th January 2026.

More info and book your tickets

Future of Food Exhibit