Main approaches
TULIP results from a dynamic initiated in 2007 in order to increase scientific excellence and attractiveness of the Research Federative structure called "IFR40 / FR3450". TULIP resolutely adopts a multidisciplinary approach from genes to ecosystems, coherent model organisms (i. e. for which the phenotypic, ecologic, genetic, genomic, molecular and biochemical approaches are possible), reinforces excellence thanks to complementary strategies (from concepts to mechanisms and vice versa, or from mechanisms to dynamics back and forth).
Studying interactions between organisms
Living organisms face all kinds of biotic and abiotic stress. To understand and predict individual, species or community adaptive responses to changing environments, three components of knowledge must be gathered:
- Understanding genotype flexibility in reaction to environmental changes and the range of constraints that determine these responses,
- Take into consideration that individuals or species are not only facing an abiotic habitat but also inter and intra specific interactions,
- Interactions among organisms (of the same species or not) are also influenced by environment which increases the complexity of causalities, which propels the study up to ecological systems.
To study biological systems
Because existing biodiversity, both among and within species, results from a series of subtle interactions at different levels of complexity, we must couple several approaches (mechanistic, ecological, evolutionary and holistic) to clarify the nonlinearities produced by such a complex interaction network. Understanding how such systems respond and evolve in space and time to biotic and abiotic stress is definitely the best approach to develop integrative biology.
For this goal, species of agronomic and ecological interest, as well as model organisms, are studied to decipher the fundamental mechanisms by which living organisms adapt, to environmental challenges. The study of how environmental changes impact "eco" and "agro" systems remains an open scientific challenge.
Cross-fertilizing approaches
TULIP policy aims definitely at increasing scientific excellence by promoting innovative projects, by merging mechanistical with ecological approaches by bypassing the usual frontiers between these two disciplines. This is achieved by designing cross-disciplinary projects based on long term studies and the expertise of members of the two communities.
These three approaches cover five the Major Themes of Research, (MTRs) of TULIP:
Writing:
Communication Team
Creation date: 22 February 2012
Update: 16 January 2013
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