The Center for Plant Responses to Environmental Stresses (CPRES) is dedicated to fundamental research on how plants detect and respond to biotic and abiotic stresses in their environment. Research on biotic stresses includes the molecular mechanisms used by viruses, bacteria, fungi, and nematodes to incite disease and by plants to resist infection. Research on abiotic stresses includes molecular mechanisms by which plants resist such unfavorable conditions as drought, flooding, chilling, excess salts, toxic metals, and pollutants.

Reducing the impact of insects and viruses on food security   

The Virus Insect Interactions group is developing solutions to reduce the impact of insects and viruses on food security for sustainable production of vegetables, fruits and farmed shrimp. (l-r) Group members Matt O'Neal, Bryony Bonning and Allen Miller give a nod to Men In Black.  Photo illustration by Bob Elbert.