Presentation of the Institute of Plant Sciences - Paris-Saclay (IPS2)

Director : Florian Frugier

At IPS2, we aim to better understand the genetic and molecular mechanisms that control plant growth and how these are regulated by endogenous and exogenous signals of biotic (symbiotic and pathogenic) and abiotic origin, particularly in relation to climate change (heat, drought, elevated CO2 levels, etc.). These mechanisms are analyzed in an integrated manner, ranging from the cellular and organ levels to the whole plant.

IPS2 studies the genetic and molecular mechanisms that regulate plant growth in response to biological and environmental signals, from the cellular level to that of the whole plant.

At IPS2, research focuses on three main areas, all addressing major societal challenges such as climate change and sustainable agriculture. The work aims to drive innovation in key fields: creating new traits in plants, developing biological alternatives to agricultural chemicals, and improving plant breeding through genomics. Each research area is led by a pair of principal investigators who coordinate its scientific direction.

Axis 1: Climate Change and Plant Resilience

Axis 2: Chromatin Organization and Dynamics

Axis 3 Signaling and Development.

The Saclay Plant Sciences (SPS) network gathers around 60 research teams specialized in plant sciences belonging to 6 institutes in the Paris area and represents more than 750 people. SPS is coordinated by the Université Paris-Saclay.

We also promote that IPS2 teams generate innovative projects in interaction with industrial partners and/or technical institutes, and host different start-ups, to contribute to the future of agriculture.