Boyce Thompson Institute

We are delighted to announce our 2024 Centennial Symposium, which will take place Aug. 8 and 9! This special two-day event promises to be an enriching experience filled with insightful talks, engaging discussions, and opportunities to connect. Our Institute only turns 100 once, and we would be honored to have you join us for this special occasion, either in-person or virtually. Register now: https://lnkd.in/g89gBReh

While it's possible to change a flower's color through methods like dyeing or altering soil pH, botanists have taken the natural rarity of blue flowers as a challenge. Could cross-breeding or hybridization make naturally blue flowers possible? BTI's Director of Research, Paul Debbie, shares insights with 1-800 Flowers on this fascinating research. https://lnkd.in/gKHSuPPR

Meet our 2024 undergraduate researchers! Click the link to learn more about the program and what they will be up to this summer. https://lnkd.in/gqZTWx5i

A group of BTI’s research experience for undergraduates (REU) summer researchers recently visited Cornell High Energy Synchrotron Source (CHESS), to learn about their new XLEAP facility, a precision X-ray beamline especially for research on biological and environmental systems, including soils and plants. Project Scientist, Dr. Louisa Smieska, PhD. spoke about the development of XLEAP and its varied uses within plant science research. Our summer researchers were able to take a first-hand peak at the facilities (some with technology dating back to the 1960s and still in use!), including the tunnels 5 stories below Cornell’s campus. CHESS is a high-intensity X-ray source supported by the National Science Foundation, which provides users with state-of-the-art synchrotron radiation facilities for research in physics, Chemistry, Biology, and Environmental and Material Sciences. NSF has recently supported the design and development of XLeap.

The pathogen that caused the Irish potato famine in the 19th century remains a major threat to potato crops globally. New research provides insights into the pathogen's evolutionary journey, crucial for developing better disease management strategies worldwide. https://lnkd.in/gWKJQEfx

One of the many perks of visiting BTI is the incredible view of our atrium. With numerous plants, a pond, and a buried time capsule on the premises, it’s impossible not to feel refreshed after a walkthrough! 🌱 Do you recognize any plants in the video? Comment below! #BTI #PlantScience

A huge thank you to our Greenhouse staff for throwing a summer kick-off Pie Party N' Contest! Also, thank you to everyone who entered a pie and everyone who attended. It was great to see so many smiling faces from across the Institute. Check out the video to see the winners!

PlantGENE hosted a 3-hour workshop “Mastering Plant Transformation Vector Design” at the #SIVB2024 Meeting. Pictured: Katie Toomey, a 2nd year PhD student at @University of Georgia #biotechnology #NGTs

The BTI greenhouse is our pride and joy! Our state-of-the-art plant facilities help our researchers grow plants under controlled conditions, serving as a vital hub for pioneering discoveries in plant science that benefit both people and the planet. #plantscience #bti #plantresearch

Check out this fascinating article from BTI alum Jacob Suissa! Jacob, along with researchers from BTI and Cornell, found that both ferns and flowering plants started using ant-bribing nectar glands around 130 million years ago. This groundbreaking research reveals how plants and ants evolved together, creating an unique relationship. 🐜🌱 https://lnkd.in/gszFmh6j