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Génétique Quantitative et Évolution - Le Moulon

Research

Building on our strong pluridisciplinary expertise, we collectively tackle two main challenges:

  • Predict the ability of populations/species to face climate changes

  • Propose innovative breeding methods for the agriculture of the future.

Those challenges are structured into four main research axes. Teams participate to several axes.

UMR project

Evolutionnary Genomics

How do genomic features condition the evolutionary success of populations or species ? At the interspecific level, we investigate the genetic bases of innovationsand changes in genome composition and dynamics. At the intra-specific level, we are interested in structural variations, their link to genome evolution and gene expression, as well as in genomic interactions, including heterosis and hybridization between wild and domesticated forms.

Environmental adaptation

What are the determinant of genotype by environment interactions ? Environment can be abiotic or biotic – composed of individuals from different species (predation, mutualism, cooperation, commensalism, antagonism) and/or from the same species (plant/plant interactions). Anthropic effects also need to be taken into account.

Integrating molecular phenotypes

How far can we use molecular phenotypes to predict integrated traits linked to fitness, evolutionary success or breeding targets? This question includes genotype-phenotype relationships and the evolution of biological networks.

Innovative breeding Methods

Because current variety panels in wheat and maize must be adapted to the evolution of climate and new environmental standards, there is a real societal demand for new varieties including new variety types (populations, variety mixtures) and for the introduction of phenotypic novelties from genetic resources; also needed are better predictions of varietal performances under contrasted environments and cultural techniques.