The Sub1a gene - identified by IRRI and University of California researchers - allows rice to survive complete submergence for up to 17 days as illustrated by the rice still standing to the left and right of the scientist in the photo at left.

Better than a photo is a time-lapse video, done from 14 June to 27 September 2007 in a research plot. Each second is about 1 day. Learn more about the latest progress on this exciting work via a feature that recently aired on the USA's National Public Radio.

Flooding isn't the only change associated with global warming. There's also the prospect of more severe droughts. And as sea levels rise, salt water will leak into the rice fields near the coast. Scientists in the Philippines are trying to find genes to solve these problems, too.

Part of the image collection of the International Rice Research Institute (IRRI).