Sally Mackenzie at the Center for Plant Innovation is developing modern technologies to improve crops and better understand their natural environments. Other researchers are investigating food safety, environmental impact and the economic implications of agricultural biotechnology. And because viruses – plant, animal or human – share common ancestors, life science researchers have unlimited possibilities to make an impact in medical science as well. They are collaborating to prevent HIV, discover vaccines for Parkinson’s, prevent cervical cancer and other diseases. This work has attracted major, competitive grants for research in gene function, virology, redox biology, alternative energy and nanomedicine.