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Plant Resilience Institute Logo
 

Mission

The mission of the Plant Resilience Institute (PRI) is to strengthen our position as an internationally recognized Center of Excellence for groundbreaking laboratory and field research on plant resilience, where adaptable future leaders of plant research are trained, and the advancement of plant resiliency in our society and environment is advocated for and prioritized.

Purpose

Climate instability threatens agricultural productivity. Stabilizing crop production will require the development of crops that are more resistant to abiotic and biotic stresses including drought, high temperature, flooding, disease, and insect pests. PRI connects leading plant researchers and eminent interdisciplinary labs to drive unique solutions to these global challenges.

People

PRI includes faculty, postdocs, students, and staff from diverse career stages and disciplines including biochemistry, genetics, genomics, bioinformatics, microbiology, and pathology. By bringing together cutting-edge researchers from colleges and departments across the university, PRI provides the resources and platform for groundbreaking collaborations. 

News

Chris Topp

Chris Topp Puts Down Roots at MSU, Joins PRI

Topp uses powerful imaging tools to envision the future of sustainable agriculture, and he will soon bring his root biology expertise to Michigan State University and the Plant Resilience Institute.
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A graphic with a desert background photo and the WALII logo with the text "The First WALII Symposium: Exploring Life Without Water, November 18, 2025"

The First WALII Symposium: Exploring Life Without Water

The Water and Life Interface Institute (WALII), a center-level grant led by PRI, is proud to announce the inaugural WALII Virtual Symposium, which will bring together the scientific community to explore anhydrobiosis.
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Gregg Howe examines a tomato plant

A Breakthrough in Plant Defense After Decades of Research

A key feature of insect pest wound response in plants has been uncovered after 34 years of collaboration and mentorship in Gregg Howe’s lab at MSU.
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