The Center for Rhizosphere Biology was founded by Dr. Vivanco in late 2004 in order to accelerate research and development related to the extraordinary powers of roots and root exudates. Research within the last decade has discovered that roots are far more active in the soil than previously thought—they are able to change the chemistry of the soil and control the microbes residing within the root zone through the exudation of various chemicals. These chemicals have been shown to have many uses, from the development of new wave antibiotics and biofriendly pesticides to determining how to restore weed-ravaged rangeland and manage such public health crises as obesity and cancer. Work by CRB scientists has already been featured in the Smithsonian Magazine, National Geographic, and The New York Times; their work has been considered significant enough to warrant publication in the two leading scientific journals, Science and Nature.