In 1917, William Boyce Thompson traveled to Russia with the America Red Cross on an aid mission to a nation ripped apart by revolution. There, "the Colonel" had a revelation. He witnessed, first-hand, the connection between agriculture and food security, and social and political stability. Thompson returned to the States determined to push the US government to invest in plant science. When the president and congress dragged their feet, Thompson used his own wealth to found BTI. For more than 90 years, BTI researchers have worked to unlock discoveries in support of agriculture, the environment, and human health.

True to the Colonel's vision, BTI science aims to support the most crucial needs of the global community. BTI’s diverse group of researchers work on foundational projects related to biofuels, food production, flavor and diseases, human autoimmune disease, and more.  Some collaborate with breeders in developing nations to make crops more disease resistant and more nutritious. Others examining the insect gut, learning how viruseslike Zika live within insects and how they're spread people. Still others delve into the chemistry of roundworms, bringing us closer to developing therapies for chronic diseases such as asthma, diabetes, and arthritis. Some of your favorite crops like corn, coffee, and citrus are constantly at risk from viruses, bacteria, and environmental stresses. We're on the front line, diving deep into their biology, combing through their genetics, looking for clues that will lead us on a path to long-term sustainability. Your support helps to provide capacity to make all of this work possible.

The health and economic impacts associated with plant science cannot be overstated. The life processes that exist beneath us and surround us offer a bridge to an uncharted territory where discoveries lie in waiting. You can help us to find them, by investing in BTI with your gift today. Thank you!