The Herbivores Dilemma

Jander lab members investigate the chemical defenses that young corn plants use to fight off simultaneous attacks from hungry insects.

And the Winners Are…

And the Winners Are…

BTI announces the winning proposals submitted to the Triad Foundation’s Plants and Human Health grant program.

Alliance for Science launches hunger conversation at UN

Alliance for Science launches hunger conversation at UN

The Alliance for Science converged on the United Nations Nov. 17 to launch a global conversation about ending world hunger. As the Manhattan skyline twinkled in the background, the Alliance’s 25 newly graduated global leadership fellows mingled with diplomats,...
The “Speck”-ter Haunting New York Tomato Fields

The “Speck”-ter Haunting New York Tomato Fields

The BTI tomato field experienced a damaging outbreak of bacterial speck disease this summer, but BTI’s Greg Martin has identified genetic regions in a wild tomato species that may make future varieties immune to these devastating bacterial strains.

Harrison Receives Grant for Phosphate Biosensor Research

Better Biofuels: Harrison Collaborates on Sorghum Project

Maria Harrison will participate in a $13.5 million, multi-institution systems biology project with Daniel Schachtman of the University of Nebraska-Lincoln to develop sorghum that is more drought resistant and uses nitrogen more efficiently.

$6.5 Million Grant May Lead to Disease-Resistant Cucurbits

$6.5 Million Grant May Lead to Disease-Resistant Cucurbits

A consortium of 20 researchers is using advanced genomic techniques to accelerate the development of disease-resistant varieties of cucurbit crops. BTI Associate Professor Zhangjun Fei will lead the bioinformatics and genomics part of the initiative.

Invisible Viruses in Everyday Food

Invisible Viruses in Everyday Food

Most people get a daily dose of virus in the form of plant or insect viruses that are harmless to humans. Consuming the occasional plant or insect virus should be the least of our worries.

Hartz Plans to Keep BTI and Ithaca Sustainable

Hartz Plans to Keep BTI and Ithaca Sustainable

Hartz serves on the BTI Board of Directors where he advises and oversees the financial and administrative aspects of BTI. He also acts informally as an Ithaca representative, maintaining the strong connection between BTI and the local community.

Cairo Archer Wants to Level the Growing Field

Cairo Archer Wants to Level the Growing Field

“There is such a disconnect between what the average person knows about plant science and what we do in the lab here…I think it’s really important to be able to talk to anyone about what I do in a way that they understand.”

New Time for Monday Morning Seminars

New Time for Monday Morning Seminars

The Fall Monday Morning Seminar series began Monday, August 31 at 9:30 AM. Featuring two talks from Armando Bravo from the Harrison Lab and BTI Science Writer, Patricia Waldron.

Patent Law for PhDs

Patent Law for PhDs

BTI’s Postgraduate Society explored intellectual property law with attorney—and former biochemist and cell biologist —Elysa Goldberg, at a recent professional development session.

Key Protein for Plant-Fungal Symbiosis Discovered

Key Protein for Plant-Fungal Symbiosis Discovered

Harrison Lab has discovered that plants use EXO70I to form a membrane around the fungus in arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) symbioses, beneficial associations where plants receive phosphate from fungi in exchange for carbohydrates.

5 Questions with Pamela Ronald

5 Questions with Pamela Ronald

Pamela Ronald, a rice geneticist at the University of California, Davis, and a member of the Boyce Thompson Institute Scientific Advisory Board, “I support genetic tools and farming practices that enhance sustainable agriculture.”

Giving Is Gorges at BTI, August 28, 2015

Giving Is Gorges at BTI, August 28, 2015

BTI will be part of Tompkins County’s first ever 24 hour local online giving day. All funds received by BTI on this day will go to support the high school summer intern program at BTI.

Student Symposium Caps Off 2015 Summer Intern Program

Student Symposium Caps Off 2015 Summer Intern Program

“My experience was really valuable…It confirmed the fact that I want to do science…science doesn’t work a lot of the time…it’s having the motivation and determination to tackle problems that you’re always going to come across.” Juan G

Plant Science Research Network Launches

Plant Science Research Network Launches

To promote innovative research and collaboration, the Boyce Thompson Institute for Plant Research and the American Society of Plant Biologists are pleased to announce the formation of the Plant Science Research Network.

ART@BTI: Botanical Mandalas by Daniel McPheeters

ART@BTI: Botanical Mandalas by Daniel McPheeters

On display are a selection of the hundreds of botanical mandalas Daniel McPheeters has created. “I have always been fascinated by patterns and symmetries, particularly the mandala…I love the natural forms of flowers and foliage.”

Chemicals from Parasitic Worms Boost Plant Immunity

Chemicals from Parasitic Worms Boost Plant Immunity

When plants detect pheromones given off by nematode worms, they activate their immune system for protection. The chemical warning not only triggers defenses against nematodes, but also against bacterial, fungal and viral infection.