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The research groups involved work essentially on understanding the role of cell surfaces or signalling pathways in the processes of differentiation (formation of xylem in woody plants; fruit ripening, etc.) and the adaptation of plants to abiotic environment factors (drought, cold, gravity). The themes to be covered are the following:
- The role of cell wall cell signalling in xylem formation;
- Control of transcription in xylem formation;
- Structure and function of plant cell walls;
- Cytosolic and nuclear calcium signalling in plants;
- Calcium signalling in plant adaptation to the environment;
- Control of transcription in fruit ripening and the interplay between hormone signalling pathways;
- The role of ethylene in fruit ripening and the biogenesis of flavours.
In terms of the their final applications, this research is aimed at improving plant production, particularly the quality of wood, the taste and nutritional quality of fruit, and plant adaptation to adverse environmental conditions.