Past milestones in molecular and cell biology signal the directions for future success in agriculture. As CSSA was about to be formed, Watson and Crick published their theory that the DNA molecule was a helical structure which could transmit the blueprint of life. McClintock had previously described transposable elements, often called jumping genes, and emphasized the plasticity of the genome in her Nobel Prize speech. The discovery and application of DNA polymerase, ligase, and restriction enzymes allowed the recombination of genetic material in a test tube. The PCR technique opened the door to amplify pure segments of DNA making it much easier to generate a DNA fingerprint. The regeneration of crop plants from cells, coupled with the developments in molecular biology, led to the creation of entirely new varieties of crops. The human genome project showed that the entire genetic code of an organism could be obtained, and comprehended through powerful computational analyses. The genomic DNA sequencing of many plant species is now underway, with Arabidopsis and rice completed. A phenomenal increase in knowledge of plant genomes, the development of molecular genetic maps, the location of major genes for important traits – all lead to the opportunity of following traits in crosses via genomic analysis. The future holds many challenges as we learn the function of all genes and their numerous – almost countless – possible interactions, complicated by their expression being influenced by the environment. All of this builds on the historical and continuing contributions from the plant breeding and genetics community in hybridization methods, selection techniques, and testing. Because half of the increases in productivity are due to improved genetics, the explosion of information in molecular and cell biology will speed solutions to agriculture's grand challenges. The C7 division stimulates, communicates, and focuses biological discoveries on agriculture worldwide.