I will first discuss the general conjectural picture relating algebraic cycles to L-functions and some extensions of the Gross-Zagier formula involving $p$-adic L-functions. This leads naturally to the question of constructing algebraic cycles corresponding to the vanishing of certain Rankin-Selberg L-functions at the center of symmetry. Finally, I will outline some new constructions of such cycles, based on work in progress with A. Ichino.