Institute of Evolutionary Science of Montpellier - ISEM, UMR 5554

The Institute of Evolutionary Science of Montpellier (ISEM, UMR 5554) is a laboratory that has been conducting research on the origins and dynamics of biodiversity and the modalities and mechanisms of its evolution for over 40 years. Its research on fundamental questions of evolutionary biology concerns both current and past biodiversity, covers a wide range of organisms and environments, and combines field, experimental, and theoretical approaches. This fundamental research component is interwoven with applied and predictive research around a major scientific and societal question of the 21st century, interacting with the humanities, medicine, and society: what are the response capacities of biodiversity in the face of global change?

The result of a long and rich history, ISEM currently brings together more than 250 people from six French research institutions: the French National Center for Scientific Research (CNRS), the University of Montpellier (UM), the French Institute for Research for Development (IRD), the École Pratique des Hautes Études (EPHE-PSL), the French Center for International Cooperation in Agricultural Research for Development (CIRAD), and the French National Institute for Preventive Archaeological Research (INRAP).

ISEM's activities are organized around several scientific departments and teams, as well as highly dedicated support and technical services.

Director: Nicolas Galtier

Unit website:  https://isem-evolution.fr/en/