A message from Silvia Restrepo, President, Boyce Thompson InstituteAs the Boyce Thompson Institute (BTI) embarks on our second century of plant science innovation, I’m deeply honored to announce the launch of the Jane Silverthorne Postdoctoral Fellowship...
How P. infestans Rapidly Adapts to Fungicide ThreatsThe notorious pathogen that caused the Irish Potato Famine in the 1840s is still a major threat to potato and tomato crops worldwide. This oomycete water mold, Phytophthora infestans, can devastate entire fields,...
You know it’s been an incredible, impactful summer experience when it’s so hard to leave.I had a spectacular summer as part of the Boyce Thompson Institute and Cornell Plant Genome Research Experience for Undergraduates (REU) program.For 10 weeks, I worked...
Hazel Frans, originally from Overland Park, Kansas, is a Senior at Fort Hays State University. She was a 2025 summer intern at the Boyce Thompson Institute and Cornell University Plant Genome REU.In February, I was making lunch when a notification on my watch brought...
Abby Stathis is a rising junior at Colby College, where she majors in Biology: Biochemistry (Biology with a Biochemistry concentration) and English: Creative Writing (English with a Creative Writing concentration). She is spending her summer deepening her research...
As she enters her senior year at the University of Oregon, Environmental Science major Tetianna Smith-Drysdale has spent the summer expanding her research experience and scientific understanding in Andre Kessler’s lab at Cornell University through the REU program at...
This summer, the Boyce Thompson Institute (BTI) welcomed 34 undergraduate students and three high school students, offering them a unique opportunity to immerse themselves in the life of a researcher. Now in its 25th year, BTI’s National Science Foundation...
When Paul Kuehnert talks about his path to plant science, it’s clear that curiosity has been the driving force.“I am a non-traditional student who has recently returned to school and have completed an associate’s degree in Horticulture from Finger Lakes Community...
Research Lays the Foundation for Breakthroughs in Global Food SecurityIn a landmark $2 million initiative, the Boyce Thompson Institute (BTI) and biotechnology company Meiogenix have launched a collaboration to develop drought- and disease-resistant tomatoes by...
The sweetpotato feeds millions worldwide, especially in sub-Saharan Africa, where its natural resilience to climate extremes makes it crucial for food security. But this humble root vegetable has guarded its genetic secrets for decades. Now, scientists have finally...
Looking around, you might not realize it, but corn is everywhere. In one form or another, it’s in the cereals in your cupboard, the cosmetics and medicines in your bathroom, the kibble in your pet’s food bowl, and the gas tank of your car. Corn, or maize, is a major...
In the microscopic battlefield of plant-microbe interactions, plants are constantly fighting off invading bacteria. New research reveals just how clever these bacterial invaders can be.Plants, like humans, have evolved sophisticated immune systems to detect pathogens....
We at the Boyce Thompson Institute (BTI) celebrate the remarkable achievement highlighted in Ascribe Bio’s recent press release: the groundbreaking success of its biological crop protection product Phytalix® in combating Bacterial Leaf Blight (BLB) in rice. This...
In a recently concluded project, the Boyce Thompson Institute (BTI) and Zymtronix teamed up to conduct cutting-edge research using BTI’s state-of-the-art phenotyping facility, PhenoSight.The LeafyLook ProjectThe research, dubbed the LeafyLook Project, showcases...
Beneficial gut microbes and the body work together to fine-tune fat metabolism and cholesterol levels, according to a new preclinical study by investigators from Weill Cornell Medicine and the Boyce Thompson Institute.The human body has co-evolved with the beneficial...
Over 450 million years ago, plants began the epic transition from water to dry land. Among the first pioneers were the ancestors of humble hornworts, a group of small, unassuming plants that have persisted to this day. New research reveals insights into the genetic...
Scientists have long sought ways to help plants turn more carbon dioxide (CO₂) into biomass, which could boost crop yields. Recent research suggests that a group of unique, often overlooked plants called hornworts may hold the key.“Hornworts possess a remarkable...
Sweetpotatoes are an agricultural powerhouse that feeds millions globally. However, their complex genetics make it challenging for breeders to understand and improve traits like yield, disease resistance, and nutritional content. A new study reveals insights into the...
As atmospheric disruption accelerates, scientists are sounding the alarm about its potentially devastating impact on the world’s food supply. In a paper published by Trends in Plant Science, an international team of researchers warns that without rapid changes...
Apples rank among the world’s most valuable fruit crops, with production spanning more than 100 countries. Some apple trees naturally develop into what farmers call “spur-type” varieties—compact trees that are more productive and easier to maintain....
Along Colombia’s Pacific coast, a small shellfish called piangua has been a crucial part of local communities for generations. This humble mollusk is a vital source of income and nutrition for many coastal residents. As a regional resource that can be...
Roses are one of the world’s most beloved and widely cultivated ornamental plants, captivating hearts and adorning gardens for centuries. Despite their popularity, the genetic origins and breeding history of modern roses have remained mostly unknown. A new study...
With profound sadness, we learned of the passing of Dr. J. Alan Renwick, an esteemed emeritus professor at the Boyce Thompson Institute. He passed away peacefully at home, surrounded by family, on September 18th at the age of 88.Born in 1936 in Monifieth, Scotland,...
Maize (corn) is one of the most important staple crops in the world and has been extensively studied. Yet, many aspects of the genetic mechanisms regulating its growth and development remain unexplored. Recent research revealed that a family of proteins called COI1,...
Viruses are master parasites that have adapted to infect many host species. Some viruses even use multiple hosts to spread their infections – such as arboviruses that use insects to move their infections to mammalian hosts like humans. Understanding how they move...
In the world of academic science, hiring new faculty members typically follows a predictable pattern: candidates apply individually and are evaluated primarily on their personal achievements. What if there was a way to build more collaborative teams of scientists from...
As weather patterns shift and soil salinity increases in many agricultural areas, finding crops that can thrive in these challenging conditions is crucial. Cultivated tomatoes, while delicious, often struggle in salty soils. Their wild cousins, however, have evolved...
Written by: Matilda Bergsten, Jander Lab REU ResearcherEvery day, millions of cups of coffee are consumed all around the world. It is a beverage that is an integral part of the daily routines of many different cultures.Coffee isn’t just popular for its taste. Almost...
Cotton is woven into the very fabric of our lives, from soft T-shirts to comfortable jeans and cozy bedsheets. It’s the world’s leading renewable textile fiber and the backbone of a global industry worth billions.As atmospheric disruptions intensify, cotton farmers...
Imagine a small fruit that tastes like a cross between a tomato and a pineapple, wrapped in its own natural paper lantern. That’s the groundcherry (Physalis grisea) – a little-known relative of tomatoes that’s been quietly growing in gardens and...
A new study challenges the common theory that the devastating potato blight pathogen Phytophthora infestans originated in Mexico. Researchers meticulously reconstructed its global migration history and found it likely originated in the South American Andes before...
On June 3, Boyce Thompson Institute welcomed 46 undergraduate students from colleges across the country to experience the life of a researcher for 10 weeks. Now in its 24th year, BTI’s National Science Foundation (NSF) funded Plant Genome Research Program (PGRP) and...
Phenotyping, which involves assessing observable plant characteristics, is crucial for understanding plant development and response to environmental stresses. Traditional methods are often cumbersome, costly, and destructive, limiting research scope and scale. A new...
Plants and the animals that eat them have evolved together in fascinating ways, creating a dynamic interplay of survival strategies. Many plants have developed physical and chemical defenses to fend off herbivores. A well-known strategy in flowering plants is to...
Maize is one of the world’s most widely grown crops and is essential to global food security. But like other plants, its growth and productivity can be limited by the slow activity of Rubisco, the enzyme responsible for carbon assimilation during photosynthesis. In a...
The Boyce Thompson Institute (BTI) proudly announces that Maria Harrison, the William H. Crocker Professor at BTI and an Adjunct Professor at Cornell University’s School of Plant Sciences, has been elected a Fellow of the Royal Society, the United Kingdom’s national...
We are thrilled to congratulate Dr. Arthur Grossman, a valued member of our Scientific Advisory Board at the Boyce Thompson Institute (BTI), on his recent election to the National Academy of Sciences (NAS), one of the highest honors that can be accorded a scientist in...
On April 23rd, Georg Jander, a professor from the Boyce Thompson Institute, addressed an audience in the offices of the U.S. Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry. In a compelling presentation titled “The Next Agricultural Revolution: Targeted...
BTI is proud to announce the opening of its cutting-edge plant phenotyping facility, PhenoSight. This new facility holds significant potential for delivering unparalleled insights into plant growth, development, and response to environmental conditions.”The...
In a fascinating dive into the past, a team of researchers from the Boyce Thompson Institute (BTI) and USDA has uncovered intriguing details about the origins and spread of the bottle gourd, one of the oldest domesticated crops. Their research, recently published in...
Imagine: You find the dried-up remains of a once green and lush philodendron on your bookshelf and realize you can’t remember the last time you watered your houseplants. You soak the soil with water, hoping you can breathe life back into its desiccated husk, but it is...
Mounting evidence suggests that the secret to understanding human health and combating metabolic diseases lies hidden within the microscopic world of our gut bacteria. Recent research by scientists at the Boyce Thompson Institute (BTI) and Cornell University reveals...
In our paper, recently published in Nature Communications, we (my colleagues at the Boyce Thompson Institute and Cornell University) demonstrated that a specific type of bacteria-derived fatty acid – so-called cyclopropane fatty acids, which are also part of the human...
The intricate dance of nature often unfolds in mysterious ways, hidden from the naked eye. At the heart of this enigmatic tango lies a vital partnership: the symbiosis between plants and a type of fungi known as arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) fungi. New groundbreaking...
In celebration of its 100th anniversary, the Boyce Thompson Institute (BTI) proudly announces the launch of a three-year fundraising campaign. This initiative marks a pivotal moment in BTI’s journey, aimed at enhancing its scientific discoveries and the...
In a world where the intricacies of molecular biology often seem as vast and mysterious as the cosmos, a new groundbreaking study delves into the microscopic universe of proteins, unveiling a fascinating aspect of their existence. This revelation could hold profound...
An international team of researchers has uncovered a remarkable genetic phenomenon in lycophytes, which are similar to ferns and among the oldest land plants. Their study, recently published in the journal PNAS, reveals that these plants have maintained a consistent...
In the fascinating world of plant biology, an innovative study recently featured on the cover of The Plant Journal has been turning heads. The research delves into the intricate defense mechanisms of tomatoes against the notorious bacterial pathogen, Pseudomonas...
In a significant advancement in the field of biochemistry, scientists at BTI and Cornell University have uncovered new insights into a family of metabolites, acylspermidines, that could change how we understand aging and fight diseases.The study, recently published in...
BTI is proud to announce that Ascribe Bioscience, a company founded on BTI technology, has partnered with Nutrien Ag Solutions to commercialize two crop protection products containing Ascribe’s flagship biofungicide, Phytalix®.Phytalix was developed from...
