As a top global public research university, Michigan State University is built to pursue bold, practical solutions to complicated challenges. From fighting cancer on multiple fronts to developing more sustainable packaging to safeguarding food and water, here are 10 research projects Spartans are working on that could change the future.

One of Michigan State University’s most significant medical breakthroughs happened somewhat by chance when researchers discovered the cancer-fighting properties of platinum in 1965. This led to the breakthrough use of cisplatin, one of the world’s most widely used cancer-fighting drugs that continues to change lives to this day.

Thanks to advancements in the development of patented synthetic human-like hearts first created at Michigan State, researchers can study human heart development and congenital heart disease on highly accurate models.