The F2F team undertakes and coordinates research in the field of palm reproductive developmental biology.

The Palm family (Arecaceae) forms an original set of more than two thousand species in the Monocotyledons and constitutes a major component of the biodiversity of the tropical and semi-tropical regions. Palms are characterized by reproductive systems based mainly on the unisexualization of the flowers, as well as by the great morphological, phenological and physiological diversity of their flowers and fruits, which makes palms a particularly interesting family to understand the biological processes and the evolving forces associated with this diversity.

Reproductive developmental control is crucial for fruit production and therefore has a major impact on the food security of tropical and semi-tropical regions. Finally, in the context of climate change, knowledge of the environmental effect on the plasticity of reproductive mechanisms is essential for the selection of well adapted genotypes.

Our research focuses on two palm species whose fruits are of major socio-economic interest for the South: the oil palm, a tropical species and the number one source of vegatable oil, and the date palm, a Mediterranean species adapted to arid areas producing dates with high nutritional value. In addition, we have projects on other palm species including Borassus aethiopum in Benin and Acrocomia Aculeata in Colombia.

Our research activities integrate genetics, genomics, biotechnology and cellular imaging approaches and are carried out in collaboration with partners in Benin, Tunisia, Djibouti, Ecuador, Colombia and Indonesia.

Updated 16/05/2023