ongoing
My main ongoing project is GLOBAL, follow the link to know more
CHONTA (2019-)The CHONTA project is part of an Ecuadorian group of researchers, led by Prof. Rommel Montufar, focusing on understanding the genetic diversity, domestication history and morphology of fruits within the only domesticated palm of the Neotropics Bactris gasipaes. This species is a keystone crop for msot Amazonian societies, consumed espcially for its nutritious fruit called Chontaduro / Chunda (Kichwa) or Uwi (Shuar / Ashuar) in Ecuador. Besides its fruits the "wood" is very hard and used to make crafts and furniture, and the palm is consumed too.
One aim is to sequence its genome using NGS appraoches. This project groups several universities: Pontificia Universidad Católica del Ecuador (PUCE), Universidad Central, ESPOCH and ESPE and IRD. Financed by CEDIA (2019-2020) and the IRD LMI BIO_INCA program. |
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past
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AFRODYN (2016-2020)African rain forests: Past dynamics and future resilience
AFRODYN aims to understand the impact of past climate change and assess the future resilience of African rain forest plant biodiversity. We will use an integrative approach combining molecular phylogenetics, phylogeography, paleoclimatology and species distribution modeling. We shall simultaneously study the evolutionary dynamics of 6 rain forest restricted plant species distributed across Central Atlantic Africa. We shall generate a large quantity of DNA sequence data using next generating sequencing. Finally we plan to undertake a large scale meta analysis of genetic diversity on the region in order to assess the resilience of rain forest when faced with climate change. See short video below. Financed by the ANR JCJC programme. |
RAPHIA (2015-2018)RAPHIA will study the largest and most economically important yet least well known palm genus of Africa. Raphia species provide several economically important products such as grubs (see photo below, a local delicacy), palm wine, construction material and fibers for clothes. Because of it large size (see photo, leaves up to 25 m long) it has an obscure taxonomy and species are poorly known. The project is interdisciplinary. We shall asses the socio-economic importance of several species in Cameroon, undertake a morphological revision of the genus, study its biomass and undertake phylogenetic and population genetic analyses on selected species. In addition, we shall test novel innovative and sustainable ways to improve grub and palm wine production. A docupmentray was also produced about the importance of Raphia species across Cameroon. See the video section.
Financed by Agropolis Fondation 
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Flora of CameroonCameroon is at a floristic crossroad between the Upper (west Africa) and Lower Guinea (Congo Bassin) domaines. This results in a very rich overall flora, especially for Annonaceae. To date about 165 species have been documented in Cameroon for Annonaceae. The aim of this project is to publish a check list and detailed descriptions of all species in Cameroon and undertake phytogeographical analyses of the family. I have also started on the Flora of Cameroon for palms. |
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RAINBIO (2012-2016)
The major objective of RAINBIO is to study the vegetation dynamics and distribution of the African flora.
For that we have compiled the largest database, RAINBIO (follow the link for more info and access to the database), of African plant georeferenced specimen records (over 1/2 million). Using this dataset we shall explore the effects of climate change of African vegetation and assess large scale conservation statuses using a novel an automated approach.
Financed by Foundation for Research on Biodiversity (FRB) through its Centre for Synthesis and Analysis of Biodiversity data (CESAB) program.
For that we have compiled the largest database, RAINBIO (follow the link for more info and access to the database), of African plant georeferenced specimen records (over 1/2 million). Using this dataset we shall explore the effects of climate change of African vegetation and assess large scale conservation statuses using a novel an automated approach.
Financed by Foundation for Research on Biodiversity (FRB) through its Centre for Synthesis and Analysis of Biodiversity data (CESAB) program.
CHLORODIV (2013-2015)
CHLORODIV enabled the design of a novel protocol to sequence full plastomes at deep multiplexing levels (100-150 plastomes in a single MiSeq run). Via this project we sequenced plastomes for hundreds of individuals from several important African plants, such as yam, pearl millet, fonio and palms. These data is currently being analyzed.
See here and here for two already published articles.
Financed by Agropolis Fondation.
See here and here for two already published articles.
Financed by Agropolis Fondation.