Czechia

University recruitment policies aim to create a diverse and inclusive student community. However, non-traditional students still need help progressing academically (Varga et al., 2021). Academics must reflect on their teaching practices to ensure equitable access to higher education. Additionally, they must consider how students from different backgrounds experience interactions across the institution (Gouvea, 2020).

By recognising how students perceive academic content delivery, especially across various biology disciplines with varying social and professional norms, teaching and research teams can better support student transitions and help them develop their professional and scientific identities within the classroom (Barakabitze et al., 2019). Recognising how these interactions shape a student&#39;s scientific and professional identity and the facilitators who provide them is crucial to understanding the breadth of perspectives and identities in the student community (Le et al., 2019; Lieff et al., 2009).

Once these elements are understood, universities are better placed to leverage resources to support the student community and academic transition through the discipline (Brown et al., 2020). When necessary, targeted support should be provided to ensure that students from non-traditional backgrounds have equal access to university education, support non-traditional development, and recognise how students are then influenced in their career trajectory (Wong et al., 2022). Academia must ensure that higher education continues to nurture intellectual growth and face other growing pressures to support an increasingly diverse student community.

SEB Conference Prague 2024

Equitable Access to Higher Education: Understanding Student Interactions and Supporting Transitions in Biology Disciplines

careers

equity

inclusion

University recruitment policies aim to create a diverse and inclusive student community. However, non-traditional students still need help progressing academically (Varga et al., 2021). Academics must reflect on their teaching practices to ensure equitable access to higher education. Additionally, they must consider how students from different backgrounds experience interactions across the institution (Gouvea, 2020).

By recognising how students perceive academic content delivery, especially across various biology disciplines with varying social and professional norms, teaching and research teams can better support student transitions and help them develop their professional and scientific identities within the classroom (Barakabitze et al., 2019). Recognising how these interactions shape a student's scientific and professional identity and the facilitators who provide them is crucial to understanding the breadth of perspectives and identities in the student community (Le et al., 2019; Lieff et al., 2009).

Once these elements are understood, universities are better placed to leverage resources to support the student community and academic transition through the discipline (Brown et al., 2020). When necessary, targeted support should be provided to ensure that students from non-traditional backgrounds have equal access to university education, support non-traditional development, and recognise how students are then influenced in their career trajectory (Wong et al., 2022). Academia must ensure that higher education continues to nurture intellectual growth and face other growing pressures to support an increasingly diverse student community.

technical paper

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SEB’s Annual Conference is celebrated for creating the perfect composition of research, new discoveries and collaborative connections. Be creative and innovative by exchanging ideas and knowledge with masters of biology from all over the world.

In natural ecosystems, available energy in food often fails to predict biomass production which is also (co)limited by the relative availability of various dietary compounds. Characterizing the link between energy metabolism and the effects of food chemical composition on biomass production thus constitutes a critical step towards better understanding how food quality may affect consumer energy balance and, subsequently, efficiency of energy transfer within food web. Here, we used microcalorimetric approaches to precisely monitor the resting metabolic rate (RMR) of Daphnia magna along ontogeny when undergoing various (non-energetic) nutritional constraints. All types of dietary (co)limitations (Fatty acids, Sterols, Phosphorus) induced an increase in mass-specific RMR up to 128% between highest and lowest quality diets. The strong negative correlation reported here between RMR and growth rate clearly highlight a reallocation of energy from growth to maintenance. The persistence of this correlation regardless of the nature of the nutritional constraints highlight the universality of a trade-off between growth and maintenance under deteriorated nutritional conditions. Ultimately, this energetic cost imposed by food quality on individual RMR may constitute a common metric facilitating the integration of nutritional and metabolic ecology to characterize energy flow within trophic structure.

The energetic cost of food quality: trade-off between growth and maintenance under deteriorated nutritional context.

Metabolism lies at the core of life-history theory. To thrive, organisms must adapt and exploit the resources offered by the environment. Mitochondria are key for metabolic adaptation, as they are central hubs for both energy transduction and intermediary metabolism in eukaryotes — a major determinant of all aspects of fitness including development, growth, and reproductive success. Despite its key role, oxidative phosphorylation is uniquely vulnerable to disruption, as it depends on components encoded by two different genomes, mitochondrial (mt) and nuclear (n), which must interact harmoniously to preserve bioenergetic efficiency. Whilst coevolution is vital, mitonuclear interactions are perpetually stressed by their very different evolutionary dynamics. Here I will give some evidence on how these mitonuclear interactions can modulate resource allocation, affecting growth and development in Drosophila melanogaster natural populations, and how these effects are modulated by a changing environment (via nutrition and temperature). Results indicate that intergenomic epistasis can have a strong physiological impact at different level of biological hierarchies: from cells to individuals, and that ecological stressors stemming from an unpredictable world could exacerbate these incompatibilities, amplifying fitness breakdown in admixed cybrid populations. 
To finish, I will present some preliminary data from the curios case of the stalked-eye fly (Teleopsis dalmanni), where a selfish genetic element has caused a large shift in resource allocation affecting mitochondrial physiology and life-history traits. 


Genomic constraints of resource allocation

Flying insects can achieve remarked and robust flapping aerodynamic performance and flight stability in various environments partially owing to the passive mechanisms of their wings and bodies, but a careful analysis associated with flexible wing hinge for forward flight is missing. Here we develop a fluid-structure interaction (FSI) model that couples one-torsional-spring-based elastic wing-hinge dynamics and flapping aerodynamics to study the aerodynamics and flight stability of hawkmoth Manduca Sexta with flexible wing hinge in various flight velocities. The results show that the leading-edge vortex (LEV), the body vortex (BV) and their interactions are responsible for augmenting the vertical force production interactively in all flight velocities, enabling a 6.5% increase in fast flight; the elastic storage in concern with flexible wing hinge exhibits a J-curve, achieving high power efficiency in intermediate forward flight. It is verified that the realistic wing-hinge stiffness can lead to an optimal aerodynamic performance in terms of vertical force production and power cost; external disturbance-rejection based on flexible wing hinge is of high robustness in multiple directions independent of forward flight velocities. This study thus points to the importance and significance of flexible wing hinge in biomimetic designs for flapping micro aerial vehicles.

Hawkmoth forward flight with flexible wing hinge: aerodynamics and flight stability

Pesticides are indispensable in agriculture and have become ubiquitous in aquatic environments. Pesticides in natural environments can cause many negative impacts on aquatic species, ranging from mortality to sub-lethal physiological and behavioural changes. The complex sub-lethal impacts of pesticides are routinely tested on model species, with zebrafish (Danio rerio) being regularly used as a behavioural model. Although behavioural ecotoxicology research using zebrafish is increasing rapidly, we lack quantitative evidence to support which pesticides have been tested and how study designs are carried out. This shortcoming not only limits the deliberate planning for future primary studies to fill the knowledge gaps but also hinders evidence synthesis. To provide quantitative evidence of what pesticides are currently studied and what study designs are used, we combined a systematic evidence map approach and bibliometric analysis. This novel method has been coined research weaving and allows us to elicit gaps and clusters in our evidence base, whilst showing connections between authors and institutions. The methodology can be summarised in five primary steps: literature searching, screening, extraction, data analysis and bibliometric analysis. We identified four areas where research on the sub-lethal effects of pesticide exposure on zebrafish is lacking. First, some widely used pesticides, such as neonicotinoids, are understudied. Second, most studies do not report important elements of the study design, namely the sex and the life-stage of the zebrafish. Third, some behaviours, such as impacts of pesticide exposure on zebrafish cognition, are underexplored. And last, we revealed through the bibliometric analysis that most of the research is conducted in developed countries and there is limited cross country co-authorships. Upon identifying these gaps, we offer solutions for each limitation, emphasizing the importance of diverse global research output and cross-country co-authorships. Our systematic evidence map and bibliometric analysis provide valuable insights for helping to guide future research, which can be used to help support evidence-based policy decisions.

A systematic evidence map and bibliometric analysis of the behavioural impacts of pesticide exposure on zebrafish.

This study reports a waterflow sensor for marine biologging and examples of its application to sea turtles. The relative waterflow velocity is one of the most important indicators for evaluating the swimming movements of marine animals. Propeller-type sensors have been used as conventional sensors for marine biologging. However, the sensors' moving parts are easily affected by suspended marine debris and attached organisms. Therefore, long-term and high-temporal resolution measurements of the velocity have been challenging.
Therefore, we have developed a pitot-type waterflow sensor that enables long-term and high-temporal resolution measurement. A rubber film is glued on the inlets, and silicone oil fills inside the flow channel. The film prevents debris from entering, and the oil prevents sensor destruction due to water pressure. In addition, the sensor detects waterflow by measuring the flow-generated pressure without moving parts. These features provide the sensor with high resistance to the harsh marine environment and enable high-temporal resolution measurement.
Finally, we experimentally proved that the developed sensor can be used for biologging. This sensor was connected to a logger and attached to a wild loggerhead turtle. The turtle was equipped with parachutes that generated drag force. The relative waterflow velocity of the turtle was measured for two hours, and the parachute was detached one hour after the start. The sensor measured the waterflow with a high-temporal resolution of 6.25 Hz. Furthermore, we were able to measure the change in the turtle's velocity due to the attachment and detachment of the parachute.


High time-resolution measurement of a sea turtle's relative waterflow velocity using a pitot-type waterflow sensor

Elevations in atmospheric carbon dioxide (CO2) have been measured by experts for decades. These atmospheric elevations cause changes in aquatic environments as increased CO2 reduces pH. Acidification has been shown to cause changes to the behaviour of many fish species including reducing homing behaviour, foraging behaviour, and predator avoidance. Our study aimed to identify whether elevated levels of CO2 affects the behaviour of Japanese Medaka (Oryzias latipes). To test this, we exposed a total of 300 fish to varying levels of CO2 (2500 µatm, 5500 µatm, 8500 µatm) at varying times (0, 5, 10, 15, 20 d). Two behavioural tests were performed, the first, where we placed individual fish into circular arenas, measured cumulative distance moved, immobility duration, and percent of time spent in the outer zone. For the second test, we placed 6 fish at a time into a small tank where half of the tank was marked with a black line. We then measured the amount of time spent over the line and the number of crosses above the line for individual fish. Our results showed that there were no differences in any behaviour between CO2 treatments; however, there was evidence of acclimation around day 10 in the highest CO2 treatment. Our study suggests that CO2 does not change behaviours of Japanese Medaka, and thus Japanese Medaka may be unaffected by rising atmospheric CO2.

Elevated carbon dioxide does not change behaviour of Japanese Medaka 

Plants are frequently exposed to multiple stresses under field conditions where the occurrence of severe heat waves, flooding, and drought events threaten crop productivity. Thus, investigating the underlying mechanism of plants under combined stresses to find traits of interest for climate-resilient crops is highly demanded. This study in the frame of ADAPT project aimed to investigate the dynamic morphological and physiological responses of potato plants to single and combined abiotic stresses by using an image-based high throughput phenotyping protocol. The applied approach elucidates how plants respond to drought, heat, and waterlogging stresses individually and in combination. Moreover, it enabled the identification of early and late responses. Different responses including plant biomass, photosynthetic efficiency, canopy temperature, and leaf reflectance indices were observed under single and combined stresses. Overall plants were severely affected primarily by waterlogging reflecting the detrimental effect of this stress on potato plants. The drastic reduction in the quantum yield and efficiency of photosystem II was observed with an increase in canopy temperature and water index due to stomatal closure under waterlogging followed by stress combining drought, heat, and waterlogging in combination. The negative impact of stress was reflected in the reduction of final yield. Reduction in the harvest index was observed in all stresses, however severe effect was detected under waterlogging and combined stresses. Here we show that applied phenotyping protocol based on using a combination of multiple imaging sensors is a valuable tool for revealing new insights into understanding plant mechanisms in coping with rapid climate change.

Image-based phenotyping protocol revealed the dynamic responses under combined abiotic stresses in potato plants

Rice (Oryza sativa L.) is one of the important cereal grains and a staple food for more than 50% of the population in many countries. Increases in global temperatures will make crop productivity challenges worse. In this study, a total of 204 accessions from the Bengal and Assam Aus Panel (BAAP) were screened for resistance to heat stress. A total of eight replicate plants per accession were grown in the greenhouse until maturity; thereafter, five replicate plants were randomly selected, their panicles at anthesis stage marked and transferred to a large growth room at 38°C for 24 hours to assess high-temperature treatments. Three replicates plants were not heat treated. Fertility was assessed as the proportion of flowers filled. Genome wide association mapping was conducted using ~ 2 million SNPs. Two promising QTLs and 7 genes were detected for resistance under the ratio; which is the proportion of (control/heat treatment) on chromosome 2 and 6. The combine GWA mapping and RNA-seq allowed us to identify excellent candidate genes for heat tolerance in the aus subpopulation of rice. These genes were found in our significant QTLs on chromosome 2 and 6; Hsp20, SEC14, AP2/ERF, OsDjC56, ZOS6-06, WRKY28 and miRNA156. Altered fluorescence of detached leaves was also assessed under a 1 hr 47°C treatment. The two heat tolerance phenotypes were not correlated (P=0.193). This implies that leaf-level tolerance to high temperature is not genetically related to tolerance at the flowering stage.

Genome-Wide Association Mapping and transcriptome analysis for heat tolerance in Bengal and Assam Aus Panel in the flowering stage

An escalating challenge facing Australia’s grain crop production is sustaining the supply of nutritious food within water limited environments. Extreme climate events and decline in available water are threatening crop yield and quality necessitating new solutions to ensure optimal water use within future food systems. We have sought to identify natural biochemical solutions within C4 plants that confer improved responses to carbon assimilation and plant productivity under future climates. We have taken a transgenic approach to overexpress the primary carboxylase of C4 photosynthesis - phosphoenol pyruvate carboxylase (PEPC) in S. viridis and a biochemical approach to investigate the in vitro biochemistry of PEPC across biochemical subtypes within the Paniceae tribe of C4 grasses. We successfully expressed recombinant PEPC isoforms within E. coli and we discovered that PCK PEPC’s were catalytically superior forms and contained an amino acid signature that corresponds to decreased malate inhibition which is crucial for increasing flux through the CCM. Furthermore, structural insight of the PCK PEPC enzyme by Small Angle X-ray Scattering demonstrated that the activator molecule glucose-6-phosphate induces a structural change that is consistent with improved catalysis. Overall, we have identified a number of new avenues to improve carbon in C4 plants particularly under abiotic stress conditions. An update on the current progress of this research will be presented.

Altering the primary carboxylase of C4 photosynthesis to improve crop resilience to future climates

Maize is one of the most produced cereals worldwide. Many studies have been conducted to decipher the genetic basis of several traits of agronomic relevance. In crops such as maize, where the commercial varieties are F1 hybrids, the optimal populations to screen would theoretically consist of hybrids. However, researchers often use populations composed of inbred lines, which are arguably insufficient for understanding the mechanisms that play a role in hybrid performances. In this study, we have developed a recombinant intercross (RIX) population by crossing pairs of recombinant inbred lines (RILs) belonging to a multi-parental Advanced Generation Inter-Cross (MAGIC) population to perform QTL mapping using a hybrid genetic background. We phenotyped 214 RIX genotypes along with the MAGIC founder inbreds for 10 agronomic traits, including Fusarium Ear Rot (FER) resistance indexes in two consecutive years. The genotypes of RIXs were reconstructed in silico starting from the corresponding RILs’ reconstructed genotype probabilities. For this task, we used a panel of about 74K SNP markers obtained using Single Primer Enrichment Technology (SPET).
Results of the QTL mapping in the hybrid population revealed several genomic regions associated with agronomic traits and FER resistance. Suggestive candidate genes were identified in the mapped intervals. The understanding of their role is currently ongoing. Our findings represent a proof-of-concept that RIX populations are potentially outstanding materials to understand the genetic control of complex quantitative traits in hybrid genetic backgrounds. This kind of resource and the information gathered would provide a future platform to support and accelerate maize improvement.




Equitable Access to Higher Education: Understanding Student Interactions and Supporting Transitions in Biology Disciplines

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The energetic cost of food quality: trade-off between growth and maintenance under deteriorated nutritional context.

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Equitable Access to Higher Education: Understanding Student Interactions and Supporting Transitions in Biology Disciplines

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The energetic cost of food quality: trade-off between growth and maintenance under deteriorated nutritional context.

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RESOURCES

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