Summer 2026 was the hottest on record

The summer of 2026 was recorded as the hottest since the start of meteorological measurements in 1900, placing biodiversity under significant stress. Heat, drought, and deficiency affected various species, prompting increased scientific attention to how life adapts to extreme conditions.

Researchers in Marseille study plant adaptations

In Marseille, a team of researchers has studied for nearly 25 years how plants adapt to fluctuating conditions. They opened their laboratory doors to a group of twenty visitors to showcase the practical applications of their work, offering a rare glimpse into their long-term research.

The LGBP lab is complex and specialized

The premises of the LGBP (Luminy genetics and biophysics of plants) resemble a labyrinth. Célia Kerbrat, a doctoral student, guided a group through the maze of corridors for a two-hour visit. The laboratory, part of the Institute of Biosciences and Biotechnologies of Aix-Marseille (BIAM), studies the response of photosynthetic organisms to environmental pressures.

Photosynthesis is crucial for life

Photosynthesis, the process by which plants convert light into sugars and oxygen, is crucial for animal life on Earth. Plants have developed various adaptation strategies because they cannot move when conditions are unfavorable. For example, under excessive light, plants dissipate excess energy as heat, which reduces their photosynthetic capacity but protects their cells.

Arabidopsis and microalgae are key subjects

One of the star plants studied is the arabette des dames (Arabidopsis thaliana), a reference plant in plant biology. Other photosynthetic organisms, such as microalgae, have recently joined the research. Microalgae, much smaller than macroalgae, produce oil when stressed, useful for biofuels and food supplements.

The lab aims to educate the public

The researchers participated in the CNRS's "unusual visits" event, aimed at making science accessible to the public. They have created a 3D printed model to help visualize the photosynthesis process, which will soon be available for educational use. The LGBP team hopes schools will adopt the model to spread their knowledge more widely.

CNRS promotes science engagement

The CNRS has organized "unusual visits" in France since 2020 and in Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur since 2021. This year, 14 visits took place in the region, out of 60 across the country. The LGBP is one of eight laboratories under the BIAM, which is supervised by the CNRS, CEA, and Aix-Marseille University (AMU).