Approximately 190 graduate students, postdocs and group leaders met to share their latest discoveries in plant molecular biology, spanning from plant evolution and physiology to plant-microbe interactions and development. Consistent with tradition, the meeting of the DBG Section Plant Physiology and Molecular Biology (SPPMB, LINK: www.pflanzen-molekularbiologie.de) featured numerous presentations by early-career researchers, including many junior group leaders, who showcased their work. Also the senior group leaders, comprising roughly a third of the attendees, were impressed by the fantastic scientific contributions presented. Due to a strike by Deutsche Bahn the conference faced a potential setback on its final day. Fortunately, many attendees generously offered carpooling arrangements, enabling the majority to remain until the conclusion of the meeting, much to the relief of the three organizers. After receiving registrations from over 250 scientists, indicating sustained interest in the conference, the organizers (Ute Höcker, Andreas Meyer, and Christopher Grefen) regretfully acknowledged that some were unable to attend due to capacity constraints at the venue. Rejected applicants, however, will stand a better chance of attendance next year.
Two keynotes and one farewell talk
Two invited speakers delivered keynote addresses. Claudia Köhler from the Max Planck Institute of Molecular Plant Physiology in Potsdam-Golm, Germany, delivered a captivating presentation detailing her research journey on endosperm development. Her talk explored the intricate role of auxin and auxin-responsive factors in this crucial biological process. Pilar Cubas from the National Center of Biotechnology in Madrid, Spain, elucidated how the transcription factor Branched2 (BRC2) functions to prevent aerial tuber formation in potato plants. In his farewell talk, Andreas Meyer from the University of Bonn emphasized the pivotal role of sulfur-dependent cofactors for redox reactions and redox homeostasis in plant metabolism.
Career advices
The program also featured a Career Session where Catherine Kistner, Program Manager at the German Research Foundation (DFG), introduced funding opportunities tailored for early-career researchers. She and her colleague Johanna Spandl answered many questions from attendants. This session was concluded with presentations by two Emmy-Noether fellows, Tobias Jores (University of Düsseldorf) discussing enhancer-blocking elements and Kasper van Gelderen (Heidelberg University) shedding light on shoot-root communication. Additionally, Jan Dittgen from Bayer AG provided valuable industry insights with a presentation on the exploration of safeners for herbicide tolerance.
Science Sessions
Besides 49 scientific talks, the conference featured 85 poster presentations, which attracted lively visits and discussions during two evening poster sessions while everybody also enjoyed drinks. Overall, presenters effectively communicated their scientific research to an engaged audience. The scientific discourse was complemented by exhibits from ten companies, showcasing their latest products and equipment.
Sports and other activities
Taking advantage of the facilities at a professional sports training centre, many participants engaged in a variety of activities during a two-hour window. Choices ranged from soccer, badminton and table tennis to exploring the surrounding woods and hills through a hike. Continuing the tradition from the previous year, there was a spirited soccer match of group leaders against PhD students and postdocs. However, unlike the previous year's clear victory for the group leaders, this time the team of PhD students and postdocs showed a remarkable comeback, with a 5:3 win! For quite some years, the conference party has been another cherished highlight of the event. DJs Stefan Rensing and Alexis Maizel played a good mix that kept the crowd dancing well into the early hours. Those seeking quieter conversations enjoyed the bar at the back of the room.
The awards
SciComm award for science communication provided by the Plant Physiology and Molecular Biology Section of the DBG
Svenja Augustin, doctoral researcher at the University of Düsseldorf, was awarded for her impressive public engagement to inform about the potential benefits of modern gene technology.
Reinhold-von-Sengbusch best poster awards for graduate students
Maleen Hartenstein (Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg): Apoplastic and symplastic nutrition strategies of Cuscuta reflexa
Susanne Mühlbauer (Ludwig-Maximilian Universität München): Interweaving ion flux and hormone signalling - Plastid envelope ion channels (PECs) are involved in JA signaling
David Görg (Leibniz-Institut für Pflanzenbiochemie, Halle): Role and function of phosphate deprivation in ER-stress mediated autophagy in Arabidopsis roots
Reinhold-von-Sengbusch best talk awards for graduate students
Lisa Koch (Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg): Yield reduction in potato caused by heat and nitrogen fertilization is mitigated by overexpression of the tuberigen SP6A
Sebastian Triesch (Universität Düsseldorf): Single-cell sequencing of C3-C4 intermediate Brassicaceae species
Seinab Noura (Universität Freiburg): Regulation of PILS proteins by stress-responsive protein kinases
Plant-Journal Award for best talk given by a junior group leader
Margot Smit (Universität Tübingen): Arrested development - How do plants control fate transition timing?
Agrisera award for best poster presented by a postdoc
Marc Somssich (Max Planck Institute for Plant Breeding Research, Cologne): Spatially resolved immune responses of Arabidopsis thaliana to colonization by Fusarium oxysporum
The future
We look forward to the next meeting, set to take place at Sportschule Hennef from 10th until 13th February 2025. Christopher Grefen from University of Bochum will lead the organizing team during this upcoming event. During his farewell comments, Christopher also revealed that Hans-Henning Kunz from LMU Munich will join the organizers in 2025.
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Ute Höcker, University of Cologne, Institute for Plant Sciences