How proteins interact inside plant cells plays a vital role in how plants grow, adapt, and defend themselves against pests and environmental stresses. However, current tools to study these interactions often rely on non-native systems or invasive methods that can disrupt natural cellular processes. This project will develop a novel, non-invasive protein delivery system to deliver proteins directly into native plant tissues. The new system uses a small, engineered protein called MTD4, which can carry functional proteins into plant cells without disruptive delivery systems and much more efficiently than previous methods. This innovation enables researchers to observe the activity of proteins in real time within live, physiologically intact plant cells, offering a clearer picture of how plant responses are regulated. The approach is fast, flexible, and applicable to a variety of plant species, making it a powerful tool for functional genomics. Development of the system will generate proteomics data from protein-protein interactions that can be used for further functional analysis by the plant community. The project involves strong training and outreach components, providing hands-on research opportunities for graduate students, postdocs, and undergraduates. Through a partnership with Ohio’s Farm Science Review, students will engage with farmers and the public to communicate scientific discoveries and real-world agricultural challenges through storytelling and creative media. Thi