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Fruits are crucial for plants and for humankind

The source of the concept of life

01.

Evolution

We are studying functional evolution of transcription factor genes (TFs) to understand and shed light on fruit evolution

02.

Development

We are studying the hormonal signaling involved in the coordination and synchronization of the developmental steps of fruit/fruit-like development

03.

Maturation

We are studying cell wall related pathways involved in pectin maturation and cellulose deposition in fruit cells and seed coats

Human and animal nutritional needs are mainly based on the intake of seeds and fruits which are also important sources of other priceless products useful for our well-being.

Therefore, a great effort is required to increase plant food production in a world where the population is growing dramatically and climate change obviously poses new challenges for us…

Fruits are not only important for nutritional purpose, but also they represent an important mean to disperse seeds and ensure the future of plant generations. Seed dispersal is pivotal for plants species to survive and colonize new habitats.
Any new insight about mechanisms underpinning fruit formation is fundamental for transfer of the acquired knowledge from model systems to species used to feed the world. Fruits are in its most strict sense only present in angiosperms and exclusively derived from the ovary wall.

Nevertheless, fruit-like structures, used for seed dispersal are present also in Gymnosperms (such as Ginkgo biloba and Taxus baccata).

Fruit and fruit-like development pathways are likely to share important key regulators and developmental mechanisms, although differences must have evolved to generate outstanding diversity of fruit types that is found today in flowering plants.
01.

Evolution

We are studying functional evolution of transcription factor genes (TFs) to understand and shed light on fruit evolution

03.

Maturation

We are studying cell wall related pathways involved in pectin maturation and cellulose deposition in fruit cells and seed coats

02.

Development

We are studying the hormonal signaling involved in the coordination and synchronization of the developmental steps of fruit/fruit-like development

Human and animal nutritional needs are mainly based on the intake of seeds and fruits which are also important sources of other priceless products useful for our well-being. Therefore, a great effort is required to increase plant food production in a world where the population is growing dramatically and climate change obviously poses new challenges for us… Fruits are not only important for nutritional purpose, but also they represent an important mean to disperse seeds and ensure the future of plant generations. Seed dispersal is pivotal for plants species to survive and colonize new habitats. Any new insight about mechanisms underpinning fruit formation is fundamental for transfer of the acquired knowledge from model systems to species used to feed the world. Fruits are in its most strict sense only present in angiosperms and exclusively derived from the ovary wall. Nevertheless, fruit-like structures, used for seed dispersal are present also in Gymnosperms (such as Ginkgo biloba and Taxus baccata). Fruit and fruit-like development pathways are likely to share important key regulators and developmental mechanisms, although differences must have evolved to generate outstanding diversity of fruit types that is found today in flowering plants.
EVOfruland aims at integrating individual projects into a coherent research and exchange program since all partners are renowned experts in plant reproductive biology. Their work is focused on fundamental key regulators and developmental mechanisms underpinning the formation and the evolution of the huge diversity that characterizes the fruits currently known.
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Elucidating the evolution of the molecular signaling and the crosstalk among different players that underpin the development of the fruit / fruit like structures.

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The project

An intercontinental consortium which includes four European countries (Italy, Spain, The Netherland and Germany), three countries of Central America and South America (Mexico, Colombia, Brazil), the United States of America and Australia

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