The projected Earth’s population by 2050 is expected to reach 9 billion. In order to accommodate this projected population, a fundamental transformation in plant agriculture is necessary by the middle of the century. Rice, being the most crucial food crop, requires significant improvements as a critical research objective. Our ultimate goal is to develop new varieties of rice that can effectively handle biotic stresses while enhancing essential agronomic traits. Our research focuses on two critical elements of rice immunity: immune receptors and the small GTPase OsRac1. A comprehensive understanding of the functions of immune receptors and OsRac1 will enable us to design new rice immune systems capable of controlling pathogens. To address these challenges, we employ a combination of advanced technologies, such as live imaging and gene editing, utilizing rice as a model system.