How epigenetics regulates plant responses to radionuclides?
Place: Akademicka 2, Nitra (Meeting Hall of Slovak Academy of Sciences Building)
Time: 9 April 2025, 10:00-11:00
Possibility of zoom connection:
https://us06web.zoom.us/j/82298887208?pwd=lKikiFQkU4MEZUhOC5oHwu1BuhEwaM.1 (Meeting ID: 822 9888 7208; Passcode: 744847)
Inquiries: maksym.danchenko@savba.sk, +421949152743
Prof. Nele Horemans is a renowned plant physiologist and radioecologist with a worldwide recognized expertise in plant stress responses to radiation, linking molecular changes with population-level effects in radioecology, and the role of epigenetic marks in plant adaptation to the contaminated environment. During her impressive career, Prof. Horemans proliferously published in top journals, such as Trends in Plant Science, Plant Physiology, and Molecular Ecology. Currently, she is leading an excellent team at the Belgian Nuclear Research Centre (SCK CEN).
Prof. Horemans will present a lecture on the potential role epigenetics can play in regulating the response to pollutants, particularly radionuclides or γ-radiation in plants. Topics that will be touched upon: – introduction to what are epigenetic mechanisms (DNA methylation, histone modifications, and small noncoding RNAs); – what is their importance in the growth and development of plants? is this similar to other organisms, including humans? – what role do they play in plant responses to stress? – do they also play a role in the response of plants to radiation-induced stress? – is there evidence for a role of epigenetics in plant radiation stress responses outside of the laboratory (in field conditions)? for example, in nuclear accident-affected areas like Chornobyl and Fukushima.