The Planetary Biology Transversal Theme is a major pillar in EMBL’s attempt to study life in context. It attempts to understand molecularly and mechanistically how organisms, populations and communities respond to their biotic and abiotic environment.
Our research focuses on individual organisms, populations and communities, and on the diverse organismal interactions in symbiotic relationships. We explore these organisms and their interactions in the context of natural and human-made factors. Our work spans multiple scales, from molecules and cells to entire ecosystems and the planet, and covers various timeframes, from milliseconds to lifespans and generations to geological ages. Our mission is planetary, recognizing that Earth is the only truly comprehensive system for studying life.
Vision and Ambition
Molecular life sciences have long shielded experimentation from environmental fluctuations for the sake of reproducibility; and highly inbred genetic model systems are kept and investigated under standardized and invariable conditions. Planetary Biology aims at changing this paradigm to instead embrace genetic and environmental variation. This enables a more comprehensive understanding of life, which has evolved under highly variable conditions. For example, modes of development and life cycles are much more plastic with genetic variation and changing environments.
Our Planetary Biology approach to study life in context at large scale, with molecular and cellular resolution and in its natural environment, aims at providing comprehensive insights into ecosystems’ biodiversity and function. Building on this, we set out to model and predict how life on our planet responds to current and future global challenges such as pollution, biodiversity loss and climate change.
Research Axes in Planetary Biology
In natura
To study life in context, we are conducting multimodal field sampling along environmental gradients, and/or through time series.
In the lab under controlled conditions
Towards mechanistic understanding of life.
In natura
To study life in context, we are conducting multimodal sampling along environmental gradients, and/or through time series. Sampling ranges from microbes, selected multicellular species, to communities in soil, water and air.
With the Advanced Mobile Laboratory we bring cutting-edge technology for sample processing and metadata acquisition directly to the field. This enables us to capture and preserve organisms in their natural habitat and conditions, while simultaneously measuring these conditions using mobile laboratory equipment. For example, we can capture and preserve organisms in their natural conditions for structural analysis of sub-cellular content, or for extensive omics analyses.
We gather and develop standardized protocols for sample capture and processing, as well as metadata collection. We thus aim to integrate data across projects and national borders, avoiding fragmentation.
In the lab under controlled conditions
Complementing field studies, we use controlled laboratory settings for a mechanistic understanding of organismal responses to the environment. This involves micro- and mesocosms that mimic environmental conditions for selected model species or communities. The aim is to test hypotheses derived from descriptive or correlative work. For example, we investigate the impact of anthropogenic chemicals, change in temperature, or draught. For the bigger setups we are collaborating with established facilities such as CEREEP Ecotron IleDeFrance.
