Forests cover a third of the world's land surface. Although they provide us with invaluable services, they are now under so much pressure that we are faced with our own contradictions between their sometimes conflicting roles as sanctuaries for biodiversity, or (over)logged sources of materials.

For the past 20 years, this specialist in developmental and evolutionary biology has been passionately dedicated to studying a small fish that lives in the waters of Central America. So much so that she took up speleology in order to explore deep caves in Mexico, where she can observe it in its natural environment.

Single-cell technologies for the analysis of genomic data enable scientists to better study tissue mechanisms and heterogeneity at the scale of a cell. They also generate masses of wide-ranging data that takes cell biology into a new era.

Coral reefs are disappearing at an alarming rate, and along with them, entire ecosystems are now threatened. Scientists are engaged in a real race against time to save these vital actors in marine life.

From 27 to 31 May, the CNRS is organising Ecology, Environment and Biodiversity Week, to bring together researchers, partners and local players to discuss scientific issues relating to ecology and the protection of our environment.

Numerous cellular phenomena are guided by mechanical forces, such as embryonic development or the spread of metastases. These phenomena are the subject of intense research aimed at understanding how they are translated into biological processes. Particular emphasis is being placed on new opportunities to treat diseases as resistant as cancer or fibrosis.

International Day for biological diversity is an opportunity to celebrate the beautiful and varied forms of wild fauna and flora and to raise awareness of the multitude of benefits that their conservation brings to people.