The main objective of our lab is to characterize cause-to-effect relationships between genes and performance traits involved in growth and responses to various stresses in crops (Figure 1). Two models are mainly used in the lab; a perennial fruit crop (wine grape - Vitis Vinifera) and a model system (Brachypodium Distachyon) for cereal crop. We have developed four main research themes to address our main objective. The first research theme was designed to understanding the influence of the plant hormones on plant development growth and development. We have a major focus on auxin and and its influence on ripening  in wine grape Vitis and strigolactones and branching in Brachypodium), The second research theme focuses on studying the role of signal molecules (hormone, peptides, microRNAs) between the below ground and above part of the plants in the context of nutrient deficiencies and drought. Specific research models were designed for both models. The third research time is meant to characterize the role of transcriptional mechanisms (Alternative Splicing, DNA hypermethylation) and post-transcriptional events (microRNA and small RNAs) on the adaptive immunity of plants to confer tolerance to DNA and RNA-related viruses (GRLaV and GRBV). Ultimately, we developed a fourth research theme dedicated to the development of translational tools using the foundational knowledge gathered from the previous three research themes. Two main research programs were developed that include ectopic dsRNA application  in combination with nanomaterials, and the delivery  Ribonucleoprotein with signal peptide for precise genome editing  in grapevine.

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