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Testing the stability and adaptive potential of stress-induced epigenetic variation – MEMOSTRESS
Until recently, a key assumption in biology has been that DNA sequence mutations are the only source of heritable phenotypic variation and therefore that adaptation is impossible in the absence of DNA sequence variants. However, this view is being increasingly challenged by the observation that chan
Non-coding RNAs in the adaptation of root growth to phosphate starvation – RNAdapt
Sustainable agriculture requires a better understanding of the plant mineral nutrition. Phosphorus (P) is an essential mineral element for the development and the productivity of plants. Most soils in Europe show poor P availability for plants. Phosphated fertilizers are applied to fields to improve
Symbiotic adaptive mechanisms of Acacia spirorbis towards abiotic stresses and environmental perturbations in New Caledonia – ADASPIR
The overall objective of the project is to understand the roles of nitrogen-fixing bacteria, arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi and ectomycorrhizal fungi in the adaptation of A. spirorbis to the variety of New Caledonian soils. The main issue is to assess the role of these symbioses in the adaptation to v
Adaptation to heat in pig production: the genetic pathway – Pig Heat Tolerance PigHeaT
The climate is changing with the likelihood of increasing heat wave events in number and intensity, and ambient temperature. Heat stress-related costs in pig production will be amplified, both in temperate and tropical areas. Meanwhile, world pig production is moving rapidly to tropical and subtropi
Shaping new rhizobia by experimental evolution: insights into bacterial adaptation to the plant environment – SHAPE
Contrary to cereals and most cultivated plants, legumes do not require nitrogen fertilizers for growth thanks to their ability to enter a symbiosis with nitrogen-fixing microorganisms, called rhizobia. Symbiosis includes four major steps: nodule formation, bacterial infection, bacterial maintenance
RNA-mediated phenotypic variations – MEMRNA
The two groups involved in the project developed independently experimental paradigms in which phenotypic changes are under the control of non-genetic mechanisms. In two animals models, the mouse and the nematode C. elegans, external clues induce metabolic, physiologic or behavioral phenotypic modif
Global warming and adaptation of migration in Atlantic salmon from long river Loire-Allier Axis – SalTemp
In fish, temperature is a major effector of metabolism, physiology and behavior. Each fish has its own window beyond which (too low or too high temperatures) survival is compromised. In the Salmon of the Loire / Allier basin we look for 1) the mechanisms of thermoréception, 2) the impact of tempera
Adaptation of Fragmented Freshwater species Assemblages In Rapidly-changing environmentS – AFFAIRS
Human activities exert considerable pressure on ecosystems, through climate change, species introductions and anthropisation. Freshwater habitats, such as ponds and lakes, are particularly exposed. Freshwater faunas and floras react to change at several levels : (i) within species, selection favors
Cyto-nuclear co-adaptation and plant adaptive phenotypes – CYTOPHENO
A number of studies have shown that cytoplasmic variations are involved in the adaptation of plants to their environment. However, very few have really aimed at understanding this implication. In addition, the necessary coadapation between cytoplasmic genomes (mitochondria and chloroplasts) and the
Consequences and mechanisms of biological adapation to chemical contamination in the Seine river basin – SequAdapt
Biological adaptation to a chemical contamination is characterized by physiological acclimatization and/or genetic modifications of the exposed organisms which thus becomes tolerant/resistant. At the community level, adaptation often results from the disappearance of sensitive species. To understan
Identifying adaptive variation in the wild progenitors of two cereal crops, maize and pearl millet – AdaptInWild
The proposed project aims at gaining a better understanding of the genetic and epigenetic bases of plant adaptation. We have collected an original material along two altitudinal and two humidity gradients in wild maize and pearl millet, respectively. Those gradients mimic slight and continuous clima
Adaptation in Biological Control - Parasitoid Population Genomics – ABC - PaPoGen
Climate change and wild habitat destruction induce dynamic and genetic changes in insect pest populations menacing agriculture. Against pest invasions, natural enemies are selective and non-polluting control agents that should preserve biodiversity. Being introduced for acclimatization in new enviro
The role of biofilms in the adaptation and genomic variability of the Thiomonas bacteria involved in natural mine drainage remediation processes – THIOFILM
Microorganisms play a crucial role in the biosphere because they are involved in biogeochemical nutrient cycles and the recycling of waste substances in natural and anthropogenic environments. Acid mine drainage (AMD) environments are known to be highly toxic to most living organisms, due to the pre
Pheromone perception in an insecticide-contaminated environment : info-disruption or adaptation? – PHEROTOX
Moths, which include many pest species, use olfaction for their reproduction: males are attracted by female-produced sex pheromones. Most insecticide treatments use neurotoxic chemicals, such as neonicotinoids. Their massive use leads to an accumulation of residues in nature. These low doses are exp
NOvel information on the effect of drought STRESS on the cell WALL – NoStressWall
Drought stress impacts negatively on plant growth and product quality. In the context of the climatic change, it becomes necessary to improve our understanding of strategies used by plants to adapt to this stress. In particular, we want to specify the role of the plant cell wall in this adaptation a
Role of AUTOphagy in plant ADAPTtation to Nitrate and Sulphate limitation in environment – AUTOADAPT
The aim of this project is to determine whether autophagy participates to the adaptation of plants to low nitrate or low sulphate availability in soils. The impact of autophagy defects on plant yield, seed quality, nitrogen and sulphur use efficiencies, will be estimated. The nature of the proteins
Genomic and adaptation of fungal life history traits involved in host-pathogen interactions – GANDALF
Parasites are able to evolve rapidly and overcome host defence mechanisms, but the molecular basis of this adaptation remains poorly understood. Identifying polymorphisms under selection in pathogenic fungal populations will help understanding the evolutionary processes underlying the adaptation to
Molecular genetics of stress responses and robustness in pig – SUSoSTRESS
Animals highly selected for production traits show reduced responses to stress and a diminished adaptability. Our primary objective is to demonstrate that a genetic selection for a more important response to stress will provide more robust animals without compromising their level of production. The
FOREST TREE ECOLOGICAL GENETICS: INTERPLAY OF GENE FLOW AND ENVIRONMENTAL VARIABILITY IN SHAPING LOCAL ADAPTATION AND GENETIC ADAPTIVE POTENTIAL – FLAG
«The present project aims at investigating the complex genome-wide effects of local adaptation in nine keystone tree species from four major terrestrial ecosystems. Here we address the question of whether and how genetic diversity in forest tree stands, occurring across environmental gradients, is s
Evolutionary potential in wild populations – PEPS
To date, although it is clear from both theoretical and empirical work that adaptation can influence the persistence of populations on short time scales, biodiversity scenarios are conspicuously lacking an evolutionary component. One major limitation to the implementation of scenarios including adap
Evolution of a sporeforming food-borne opportunistic pathogen in the environment – PathoBactEvol
In nature, invertebrates are potential sources of mammalian pathogens that may lead to novel human afflictions. In this project we want to address various questions related to the possible emergence of new pathogens while providing insights into the mechanisms used for adaptation to new environments
Adaptive processes in cnidarians : integrative study of the response to thermal stress and climate change, from genes to populations – ADACNI
The study of adaptative response to disturbances is central in evolutionary biology, especially in the current context of climate change. Cnidarians are ecologically important species which face this adaptive challenge. Our project aims at studying (i) the adaptability and adaptation mechanisms to t