The INRAE-ONF BioForA Joint Research Unit, attached to the INRAE Val de Loire center and the ECODIV department, brings together expertise in genetics, genomics and physiology applied to the study of forest trees. The research carried out aims to enhance the value of forest genetic resources for sustainable timber and biomass production, while taking into account the ecological impact of domesticated populations on the ecosystem and a changing climatic context.
It is based in Orléans and comprises 3 teams:
- Molecular Physiology of Wood Formation (BOIS) team – Deciphering the molecular mechanisms involved in wood formation and in defining its chemical and mechanical properties, properties that will condition its future use.
- Genetics, Adaptation and Improvement team (GA2).
- Conservation and Reproduction of Forest Trees team (CORE) – Understanding the mechanisms involved in both sexual and asexual reproduction, as well as the conservation and development of forest genetic resources.
Features and main equipment
- PHENOBOIS platform: Phenotyping the physico-chemical properties of wood and tree hydraulics
- Tree Cellular Engineering Laboratory LICA
- Forest Biological Resources (RARe infrastructure)
- Genotyping cluster
Implications and links with ARD
BIOFORA co-pilots the GENFORFUTUR project, collaborates on the RENOUV project and participates in the PREDA partnership dynamic. Two teams are involved in PREDA (GA2 and CORE).