3 - Université de Tunis El Manar - Faculty of Sciences of Tunis (Tunisia) (UTM)
3 - Université de Tunis El Manar - Faculty of Sciences of Tunis (Tunisia) (UTM)
GENERAL DESCRIPTION
The Faculty of Sciences of was founded in 1960 in the premises of the Institute of Advanced Studies of Tunis, which depended on the University of Paris, since its created in 1945. It was by Decree No. 98 of March 31, 1960, that the Tunis Science Faculty (FST), the first nucleus of scientific higher education in independent Tunisia, was founded. As for scientific research in Biology, it really began only after the transfer of the FST to the campus, with the acquisition of heavy research equipment. Gradually, we have achieved self-sufficiency in many areas of research. At molecular genetics level, the main objectives are focused on the analysis of nuclear and cytoplasmic genomes, their evolution and possible interaction as well as on the study of the molecular polymorphism of pathogens infecting major cultures.
Our concerns will focus on the identification, evaluation of genetic diversity of cultivated and spontaneous resources and their pathogens through phenotypic and genotypic analyses.
molecular typing and characterization. Another focus is the conservation and enhancement of genetic resources. The pedology laboratory in the geology department specializes in the physical analysis of soils, particularly granulometric analyses. It also conducts chemical analyses of soils and the chemical elements in water, measuring parameters such as salinity and moisture content
Recently UTM participated to FIGGEN, being involved in the organization of Living lab with stakeholders linked to fig value chain in Tunisia, and in the phenotypic characterization of Tunisian fig genotypes.
This research center will participate in AGROFIG with different teams including experts in Agricultural Economy, Agronomy and Tree Physiology. In particular UTM will be WP leader of WP1 (Living lab otganization) with its experts in Agricultural Economics. In WP2 Prof. Brahim Nadhem will lead his team with experts in Agronomy and Soil Science to setup a demonstration site of agroforestry in Tunisia, collecting data of crop production and soil characteristics.
In addition UTM will participate to WP4 related to communication and dissemination activities.
KEY PERSONS
Prof. Salhi-Hannachi Amel (female) Professor of Genetics at the FST Director of the Fruit Genetic Resources Team in the Departement of Biology, expert in Plant genetics. H-index 27, 1287 citations.
Prof.. Baraket Ghada (female) Assistant professor at the faculty of sciences of Tunis and member researcher at the Department of Biology, expert in Plant genetics, and Agricultural Science.
Prof. Brahim Nadhem (male) Associate Professor at the Faculty of sciences of Tunis and head of Laboratory of Pedology at the Department of Geology, expert in Soil science and Agronomy..
Prof. Ibrahim Hatem (male) Associate Professor at the Faculty of sciences of Tunis and memeber researcher of Laboratory of Pedology at the Department of Geology, Faculty of sciences of Tunis, expert in Soil science, Agronomy..
Prof. Aljane Fateh (male) Associate Professor Institute of Arid Regions of Medenine. Expert in Food Science, Agricultural Plant Science, Horticulture.
PROJECT-RELATED PUBLICATIONS
Haffar S, Baraket G, Usai G, Aounallah A, Ben Mustapha S, Ben Abdelkrim A, Salhi Hannachi A. Conserved DNA-derived polymorphism as a useful molecular marker to explore genetic diversity and relationships of wild and cultivated Tunisian figs (Ficus carica L.). Trees 2022, 36, 723–735.Haffar S, Baraket G, Usai G, Aounallah A, Ben Abdelkrim A , Chatti K, Salhi Hannachi A. Genetic diversity and relationships among wild and cultivated Ficus carica L.: Usefulness of RGA markers. Journal of Oasis Agriculture and Sustainable Development 2023, DOI: https://doi.org/10.56027/JOASD.072023.
Baraket G. Abdallah D., Boukhalfa Y., Ben Mustapha S., Salhi Hannachi A. 2021. Analysis of genetic diversity and water-stress tolerance in Tunisian plums [Prunus.spp; Rosacea]. Scientia Horticulturae. 285:110141.
Bouajila A., Omar Z., Ajjari A., Bol R., Brahim N. (2022). Improved and prediction of the wind errodible fraction for Aridisols in arid southeast Tunisia. Catena 211, 106001.
Ibrahim H..,Gaieb S., Brahim N., Blavet D., Van Dem Meershe K., Pansu M. (2021). Modelling the Organic Evolution of a Mediterranean Limestone Soil under Usual Cropping of Durum Wheat and Faba Bean. Agronomy 11 (9), 1688.
PROJECT RELATED PROJECTS
PRIMA “FIGGEN Project: Valorising the diversity of the fig tree, an ancient fruit crop for sustainable Mediterranean agriculture” (2020-2024).
Tuniso-Spanish cooperation project referenced: A / 3433/05 and entitled "Mosaic in the fig tree collections in Tunisia and Spain".
Tuniso-Allemand “INTOASES: Improving water and nutrient-use efficiency in coastal and continental Oases, Tunisia through enhancing soil organic matter quantity and quality” (2013-2015). (Université de Tunis El Manar-Tunisie/Université Jülich-Allemagne).
Tuniso-Moroccan co-operation project referenced: 33 / MT / 06 and entitled "Genetic diversity of the fig tree (Ficus carica L.): establishment of genetic fingerprints and involvement of the molecular tool in the preservation of biodiversity in this species" .2009-2010.
Tuniso-Portuguese cooperation project, referenced: 24 / TP / 08 and entitled "Genomic analysis in fig (Ficus carica L.): ESTs and QTL related ESTs" 2008-2009.
RELEVANT INFRASTRUCTURE OR FACILITIES
The Biology Department is fully equipped with all the essential tools for studying molecular biology and genetics. Similarly, the pedology laboratory has all the necessary equipment for examining the chemical and physical characteristics of soil.