Sir David Baulcombe is a world-renowned plant scientist and distinguished scholar whose work has fundamentally reshaped our understanding of molecular biology and genetics in plants. He currently serves as Biological Secretary and Vice President of the Royal Society since November 2024 and holds the position of Regius Professor of Botany Emeritus at the University of Cambridge. Born on April 7, 1952 in Solihull, Warwickshire, he developed an early fascination with plant biology that led him to pursue his BSc in Botany at the University of Leeds followed by a PhD in Messenger RNA research at the University of Edinburgh. Throughout his distinguished career, he has held significant positions including Head of the Department of Plant Sciences at Cambridge from 2009 to 2017 and spent two decades as a Senior Research Scientist at the Sainsbury Laboratory in Norwich before joining Cambridge University in 2007.
Professor Baulcombe's groundbreaking research has revolutionized our understanding of plant immunity and gene regulation through his pioneering discoveries in RNA biology and epigenetics. His laboratory identified the novel class of small interfering RNA that forms the basis of an RNA-based immune system protecting plants against viral infections, a discovery with profound implications across all biological systems. He established the critical link between RNA-directed mechanisms and epigenetic modifications of genomic DNA, fundamentally changing how scientists understand the relationship between environmental factors and genetic expression. These seminal contributions have earned him numerous prestigious international awards including the Royal Medal of the Royal Society, the Lasker Award for Biomedical Science, and the Wolf Prize for Agriculture, with his work cited extensively across plant science, virology, and medical research fields.
Beyond his research achievements, Sir David has profoundly influenced the scientific community through his leadership roles and commitment to advancing agricultural science for global benefit. As a Fellow of the Royal Society, Member of EMBO, and Foreign Associate of the US National Academy of Sciences, he has shaped research agendas and mentored generations of plant scientists worldwide. His current work continues to explore the applications of epigenetics in sustainable agriculture, particularly focusing on how environmental effects can be transmitted across generations to enhance crop resilience. Knighted in 2009 for his exceptional contributions to science, Sir David remains actively engaged in both research and policy discussions, leveraging his position as Biological Secretary of the Royal Society to promote scientific excellence and address pressing global challenges in food security and climate adaptation.
