Cornell University has traditionally had strong programs in both basic and applied plant research with more than 150 faculty focused in this area of research/teaching. Cornell's leading position has been further strengthened by the presence of two prestigious plant research institutions on campus: The Boyce Thompson Institute for Plant Research (BTI) and the USDA/ARS Plant, Soil and Nutrition laboratory, which together house more than 60 plant scientists, many of whom also carry faculty appointments at Cornell. In addition, the New York State Agricultural Experiment Station (NYSAES) at Geneva, which is located within 50 miles from campus, houses approximately 40 plant scientists focusing on applied aspects of Plant Science, and has recently commenced hiring applied genomics faculty. The Plant Genomics Focus is emphasizing development and expansion in three areas:

1. Developmental/Biochemical Genomics looks at the key switches that have allowed plants to develop into such a vast array of morphological types and occupy such a wide range of environmental niches. How and why do plants produce the widest array of chemical compounds in the natural world and how is it that the chemical spectrum of plants can change so rapidly with environmental changes?

2. Evolutionary/Comparative Genomics asks to what extent all plants share genes and gene functions, and to what extent can genetic/genomic information from one species be exploited in other plant species? How have gene functions changed as plant species have evolved?

3. Applied Genomics explores how humans can best use the outcomes from genomics research to study, preserve, and utilize the vast diversity of plant forms and chemistries that occupy the earth and best use the outcomes from genomics research to improve the nutrition, quality, and yield of crop species and to use plants as a source of novel compounds for use in medical sciences.

Thus far, 13 new faculty members have been hired through the Plant Genomics Focus — 5 at Cornell, 6 at the Boyce Thompson Institute and 2 at the ARS Center. An approximately equal number of new positions are proposed as part of the Phase II plan, with a significant number to be hired as part of the conversion of the ARS Center to a Plant Genomics/Chemistry research center.

Quality research laboratory space and plant growth facilities are two critical issues for the Plant Genomics Focus. With regards to laboratory space, Emerson Hall is being renovated as a Plant Genomics Facility and will house the laboratories of 8 faculty (mostly new genomics hires). In addition, a new plant growth facility is being planned for the Life Sciences Technology (LST) building. It will be critical that the LST building be connected (via an underground tunnel) to the Plant Sciences Building, the Emerson Plant Genomics Facility and Bradfield Hall, where the majority of Cornell plant scientists are housed, so that plant researchers have direct access to the plant growth facilities and other service facilities/faculty to be located in the new LST building.