Our research is centered on the identification and characterization of genes implicated in the tolerance and accumulation of
cadmium. This identification is based on the study of two close relatives of Arabidopsis thaliana, the model species in plant molecular
biology, (which are Thlaspi caerulescens and Arabidopsis halleri). Several genetic approaches have been designed in the
laboratory or in collaboration. The study of genes encoding heavy metal transporter or heavy metal binding proteins is in progress.
Functional studies include the study of mutant (where the expression of the candidate gene was silenced or enhanced by genetic
engineering), tissular cellular localisation, and the study of affinity for heavy metals.  This research wil provide tools to better
understand and to modify tolerance and flux of metals through the plant.