Actualia (engl.) · Conference Report

Young Session of the Second European Congress on Photosynthesis Research

Some participants of the Young Session of the second European Photosynthesis Congress 2024 in Padua. Photo: Giorgio Perrin

The Young Session of the Second European Congress on Photosynthesis Research was held in Padua, Italy, on June 24 and 25, 2024. More than 120 early-career scientists from over 20 countries actively participated in this event. The program featured over 20 talks covering a diverse range of topics including biophysics, molecular biology, ecophysiology, and new technologies, along with a poster session showcasing over 100 research posters. The DBG sponsored the attendance of three young scientists selected by the organizers, whose insights are highlighted in this conference report.

The ePS2 Young Session brought together a diverse cohort of over 120 early-career scientists from 22 countries, fostering a rich exchange of ideas and discoveries in the realm of photosynthesis research. The meeting, held as a part of the larger ePS2 congress (https://www.eps2.org), featured four distinct sessions with a total of 24 engaging talks. The event brought together early-career scientists from over 22 countries, creating a melting pot of ideas and discoveries.

Testimonials from participating researchers:

Paul Greife from Holger Dau’s group at Freie Universität Berlin:

“Our research focusses on clarifying the atomic mechanisms involved in Photosystem IIs water-splitting catalytic-cycle using various spectroscopic and electrochemical techniques. In this work we identified the time-resolved spectroscopic signature of a transiently deprotonating carboxylate residue preceding the formation of O2 at the MnCaO6 catalyst. In combination with complementary QM/MM simulations, this resulting intermediate was characterized as the (until now) undefined highest oxidation state of the catalyst.”

Melvin Rodriguez-Heredia from Guy Hanke’s group at Queen Mary University of London:

“My project is focused on understanding how the tethering Ferredoxin-NADP(+) oxidoreductase (FNR) to different regions of the thylakoid has an impact on plant stress tolerance. We utilised biochemical and biophysical techniques to analyse stress of both photosystems in variable FNR binding genotypes of Arabidopsis thaliana. Our findings indicate that FNR contributes to protect PSI through a yet unclear role in cyclic electron flow and photosynthetic control.”

Alice Robijns from Johannes Kromdijk’s group at the University of Cambridge:

“My research work is about the changing mechanisms of photoprotection through time. I have been examining PsbS, the major trigger of this process, using both bioinformatics and experimental work to see whether it has been conserved across the green lineage.”

Personal Reflections:

Paul Greife from Holger Dau’s group at Freie Universität Berlin:

“The oral and poster presentations at the ePS2 Young Session exposed me to research topics from literal botany to protein-scale biochemistry and down to the more familiar atomic scenarios. While my own work focusses on understanding a specific chemical process, much of the motivations presented were concerned with more practical applications such as improving biomass yield or understanding environmental adaptation mechanisms, urgent questions relevant to the current and looming global crises.”

Melvin Rodriguez-Heredia from Guy Hanke’s group at Queen Mary University of London:

“The ePS2 Young Session was an outstanding opportunity to share our research with an incredibly vibrant and large community of PhD students and early career researchers who are working on any kind of photosynthesis related topics. I was pleased to listen to well timed talks about a variety of fundamental aspects of photosynthesis such as light harvesting of far-red wavelengths or the role of the pyshell of diatoms in carbon fixation. I was even surprised to chat with a few people working on niche projects quite related to mine. The meeting was an excellent space to discuss in a less formal environment, young scientists were more comfortable about asking naive questions and some talks generated as much interest as those of the Main Session. I would absolutely recommend any young scientist to attend the Young Sessions in future editions of the ePS congress.”

Alice Robijns from Johannes Kromdijk’s group at the University of Cambridge:

“It was a great experience to present my work at the ePS2 Young Session as I got to speak to many people at a similar stage in their research career who were also interested in my work. It was helpful to meet some people before the Main Session and have some friendly faces that I could see around the next couple of days. I especially enjoyed meeting people who also worked on PsbS as it is a bit of an enigma!"

Conclusion

The ePS2 Young Session emerged as a vibrant hub of scientific exchange, fostering collaboration and camaraderie among emerging researchers. From discussions on fundamental photosynthesis concepts to novel insights on environmental adaptation mechanisms, the meeting encapsulated a spectrum of research endeavors critical to addressing pressing global challenges. The interactive nature of the session facilitated open dialogues and knowledge sharing, where young scientists felt encouraged to pose thought-provoking questions and engage in fruitful exchange. The informal setting not only nurtured networking opportunities but also catalyzed the exploration of interdisciplinary connections, igniting new avenues for future collaborations. The enthusiasm exhibited by participants underscored the invaluable role of such sessions in fostering a vibrant scientific community dedicated to unravelling the complexities of photosynthesis.

---

In September 2024, Laura Mosebach, Universität Münster

Back