My group’s long-term goal is to make crops more climate-resilient and disease-resistant. Plasmodesmata (PD) are the conduits connecting the cytoplasm of plant cells and are essential for transport of macromolecules in plants. PD facilitates the intercellular transport typically observed as cytoplasmic streaming under the microscope. The vital role PD plays in plant growth and development encompasses different plant tissues. In roots, PD primarily contributes to water and solute transport. In leaves, PDs are fundamental for metabolite exchange and sugar unloading during photosynthesis. In stems, the presence of PD is crucial for successful grafting as they facilitate exchange of genetic material between the rootstock and the scion. PD also plays important roles in resistance to pathogen infection, and contributes to the plant’s ability to deter predators and respond to environmental stimuli. Therefore, understanding the genetic mechanisms underlying PD development will provide new avenues to improve crops.