Brock scientists are providing strong leadership in the areas of plant biology and chemistry.

The University houses the national grapevine germplasm repository project, a facility that uses state-of-the-art equipment to maintain high-quality, virus-free plant materials and eliminate viruses and other pathogens of concern in grapevines.

This is one example of how our flagship Cool Climate Oenology and Viticulture Institute (CCOVI) advances the interests of the grape and wine industry through interactive research on plant health and sustainability.

Within the Brock-Niagara Validation, Prototyping and Manufacturing Institute are sophisticated instruments and experts available to conduct imaging of biological cells as well as analyzing soils and water sources for pollutants that affect crops.

We identify detailed molecular processes that activate common plant defense responses, enabling plants to resist disease. Boosting innate disease resistance in plants could produce crops that require fewer applications of pesticides, resulting in cleaner soils and water, and safer food.

Our researchers also investigate how plant cells can be used to fight cancer, diabetes and other diseases in humans.