2016 Research highlights

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Although diversity–stability relationships have been extensively studied in local ecosystems, the global biodiversity crisis calls for an improved understanding of these relationships in a spatial context.

The TomExpress RNA-seq platform was developed to provide the tomato community with dedicated browser and tools for public RNA-Seq data handling, visualization and mining.

The legume–Rhizobium symbiosis leads to the formation of a new organ, the root nodule, involving coordinated and massive induction of specific genes. Several genes controlling DNA methylation are spatially regulated within the Medicago truncatula nodule, with notably a demethylase gene, DEMETER (DME), mostly expressed in the differentiation zone.

An international consensus asks for human environmental impacts be 'maintained', conserved' and 'safeguarded' within “safe ecological limits”. A new study that assembled an international team of environmental scientists shows that policy makers have little idea what these terms mean or how to connect them to a wealth of ecological data and ideas. Progress on protecting our planet requires us to dispel this confusion, and the researchers have produced a framework to do just that.

The 6th edition of the International Bacterial Wilt Symposium was organized by LIPM members from 3 till 7 July this year. A unique occasion of exchanges around Ralstonia solanacearum, a bacteria attacking numerous cultures of economic importance causing major damages in agriculture in numerous countries, in particular in tropical and subtropical zones.

Plants form belowground associations with mycorrhizal fungi in one of the most common symbioses on Earth. However, few large-scale generalizations exist for the structure and function of mycorrhizal symbioses, as the nature of this relationship varies from mutualistic to parasitic and is largely contextdependent.

Two papers revealing the key roles that ERN1/ERN2 play at the very earliest stages of root nodule development.

Carried by a TULIP community member, the TomGEM project is supported at the level of 5.6 M€ by the European Commission. It aims at designing new varieties of tomatoes and farming practices to maintain high yields at harsh temperature conditions using tomato as a reference fleshy fruit crop.

Taking the opportunity of the launch of MicroPEP Technologies start-up, interview with two of the three founders of the company, Jean-Philippe Combier and Thomas Laurent.

Understanding how organisms cope with environmental change in general and in particular global change is a major scientific challenge. The molecular pathways underlying rapid adaptive phenotypic responses to global change remain poorly understood.

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