UMR0441 - Laboratory of Plant-Microbe Interactions (LIPM)

The LIPM focusses studies the interactions between plants and either symbiotic or pathogenic microbes, co-ordinating studies on both plant and microbial partners. This is done in a small number of model species (Arabidopsis thaliana, Medicago truncatula), and more recently on model plants of agronomic importance (sunflower and tomato).

The Limp addresses key biological questions concerning:

• The determinants controlling pathogenic/symbiotic associations, the mechanisms of host infection, inter- and intra-organism signaling, developmental programs, regulation of gene expression and finally the mechanisms of metabolic adaptation. Bacterial and plant genome organization is also a theme that we are actively studying using both bioinformatic and genomic approaches
• The understanding of evolutionary and adaptative processes, and in particular host specificity and relationships between mutualism and pathogenesis.

Contribution to the project

The LIPM proposes to address scientific questions having a major impact on agriculture and the environment. It will provide tools for assessing symbiotic interactions in the provision of essential nutrients to legume plants within a rediscovered importance in agronomical, economic, environmental and nutritional contexts.