Head of the Molecular Genetics Department, Leibniz Institute of Plant Genetics and Crop Plant Research (IPK), OT Gatersleben, Seeland, Germany

Prof. Thomas Altmann is a globally recognised leader in plant genetics and functional genomics and serves as Head of the Molecular Genetics Department at IPK. His pioneering research has fundamentally advanced our understanding of gene function, natural variation, and trait architecture in crop plants. Prof. Altmann has played a decisive role in linking molecular genetics with large-scale phenotyping and translational breeding, strengthening Europe’s crop research infrastructure. A long-standing scientific advisor at national and EU levels, he is widely respected for shaping strategic directions in plant science, innovation policy, and sustainable agriculture.

Keynote title: "Plants – Dynamic Genetic Systems in Dynamic Environments: Assessment of (growth) Performance through automated non-invasive Phenotyping "

Whole plant phenotyping integrated with genotyping and molecular profiling is used to uncover determining factors and mechanisms of plant (growth) performance. It relies on high-throughput platforms for automated cultivation, transport, and imaging of plants in environmentally controlled facilities equipped with multiple camera and illumination systems and a broad range of environmental sensors.
Non-invasive imaging-based assessment of shoot growth progression over time in maize, Arabidopsis, and rapeseed revealed strong temporal dynamics of the action of QTL detected through genome-wide association studies (GWAS). Integration of image-based assessment of growth related traits with transcript and metabolite profiling enabled the detection of prime candidate genes affecting vegetative growth in rapeseed. Furthermore, physiological traits assessed by kinetic chlorophyll fluorescence imaging (kChFI) also revealed temporal QTL expression dynamics and indicate links between photosystem II (PSII) efficiency and plant growth in maize. Expansion of the platforms to disturbance-free assessment of root growth and development enable simultaneous integrative analyses of root and shoot traits. Analysis of 72 distinct genotypes (lines) of 17 plant species revealed wide inter- and intra-specific diversity of root trait expression including large temporal dynamics. Very strong influence of environmental conditions on the genetic factors (QTL) relevant for the expression of performance-related phenotypes was observed, when vegetative growth was monitored in an Arabidopsis GWAS panel cultivated under constant or fluctuating light intensities, respectively. QTL detected for growth-, coloration-, and photosynthesis-related traits were predominantly light regime (condition) specific and displayed distinct temporal activity patterns. Condition- and phase-specificity of QTL was also observed in Mediterranean maize lines exposed to combined head and drought stress. These observations emphasize the need for detailed experimental analyses under well-defined field-like environmental conditions to effectively unravel the complexity of gene x environment interactions that determine the expression of important plant traits: In open fields, plants are exposed to ever-changing dynamic environmental conditions and they need to constantly adjust to these changes and optimize the use of available resources in order to sustain high and stable yields. Reproducible assessment of crop plant performance in simulated field-like environments is enabled in the unique Container/PhenoCrane-System of the IPK PhenoSphere. This was as shown through the assessment of growth and development of 11 diverse maize inbred lines in an emulated single season and in a simulation of an averaged season (across several years) in comparison to cultivation in four years of field trials and in a standard glasshouse. The use of this facility for detailed analyses of performance-related trait expression in plants stands exposed to weather conditions of current and anticipated future climate scenarios and elucidation of causal biological mechanisms will be outlined with examples of recent/ongoing projects.

School of Biology and Environmental Science, University College Dublin, Ireland

Prof. Sonia Negrão is an internationally recognised plant geneticist at University College Dublin, specialising in natural variation, local adaptation, and stress resilience in crop plants. Her research integrates population genomics, quantitative genetics, and phenotyping to understand how plants adapt to challenging environments, particularly salinity and climate-related stresses. Prof. Negrão’s work bridges evolutionary biology with applied crop improvement, contributing critical insights for developing resilient and sustainable agricultural systems. She is widely respected for advancing genotype–environment interaction research and for her leadership in modern plant evolutionary genetics.

Keynote title: "The Road to Precision: Spectral Imaging for Abiotic Stress Responses—Are We There Yet?"

Abstract: This presentation explores the genetic potential of heritage barley (landraces and formerly bred cultivars) to cope with abiotic stress. We examine the potential of different imaging methods in controlled conditions (root and shoot) as well as in field trials. We developed a deep learning pipeline to segment hyperspectral images and used machine learning to classify feature importance. Neural networks were found to predict tolerance values and rank genotypes in field conditions. Several vegetation indices enabled stress prediction according to the experiment timeline (early, late stress and recovery). GWAS was conducted and a new longitudinal visualisation tool - 3DQTL-Vis- was developed to discover new genetic regions associated with waterlogging.

College of Life Sciences, Zhejiang University, China

Prof. James Whelan is an internationally acclaimed plant molecular biologist at the College of Life Sciences, Zhejiang University and a leading authority on mitochondrial biology, stress signalling, and gene regulation in plants. His work has revealed how plants integrate metabolic and environmental signals to optimise growth and resilience. With an exceptional publication record and decades of research leadership across Australia, Europe, and Asia, Prof. Whelan has profoundly influenced modern plant systems biology. He is also a highly regarded mentor, shaping the next generation of interdisciplinary plant scientists worldwide.

Keynote title: "Plant Phenomics for Discovery"

Abstract: A variety of ‘omic’ technologies are widely used in discovery based science investigations, essentially uncovering the “unknown unknowns”. We established a plant phenotyping pipeline to incorporate with our other ‘omic’ platforms, to complement them and to generate hypothesis for further testing. Here we will outline the establishment of this platform, how we are developing it for quantitative 2D and 3D imaging of plants. Finally, we will show how it is raising question and how we can apply it for practical use in functional genomics.

La Trobe Institute of Sustainable Agriculture and Food, La Trobe University, Australia

Prof. Mathew Lewsey is a leading plant systems biologist at the La Trobe Institute of Sustainable Agriculture and Food. His research integrates genetics, genomics, imaging, and computational biology to understand how plants respond to complex environments. Prof. Lewsey is particularly known for bridging fundamental discovery with real-world agricultural impact, advancing crop resilience and productivity under climate stress. A dynamic scientific leader, he actively collaborates across disciplines and sectors, driving innovation at the interface of plant science, data analytics, and sustainable food systems.

Keynote title: "Phenotyping on Earth and in Space"

Abstract: We study plant re-design and bioresource production to enable off-Earth habitation and to provide solutions that will improve on-Earth sustainability. This research is part of the Australian Research Council Centre of Excellence in Plants for Space, which brings together experts from the plant science, food technology, controlled environment agriculture and space sectors. We are studying a tomato cultivar, Micro-Tom, which has a dwarf growth habit suited to vertical farming and spaceflight heritage. High throughput phenotyping studies have enabled us to better understand the cultivation requirements of Micro-Tom, whilst functional genomic studies have begun to inform us about its potential as a chassis for synthetic biology. We have also been developing analysis protocols for use during space missions as part of NASA’s Artemis Lunar Surface Science Team.

Department of Life Technologies, University of Turku, Finland

Prof. Yagut Allahverdiyeva-Rinne is a world-leading expert in photosynthesis research at the University of Turku. Her groundbreaking work explores the regulation of photosynthetic electron transport, photoprotection, and energy conversion in plants and algae. By combining advanced biophysics, molecular biology, and systems-level approaches, she has delivered transformative insights into how photosynthesis adapts to fluctuating environments. Prof. Allahverdiyeva-Rinne is internationally recognised for pushing the boundaries of fundamental plant science with direct relevance to sustainable energy and climate-resilient agriculture.

Keynote title: "Connecting photosynthetic mechanisms to phenotypes across systems: from algae to plants."

Abstract:
This presentation will explore how environmental conditions shape cyanobacterial phenotypes, linking observable traits to the underlying physiological and photosynthetic mechanisms that drive adaptation and productivity. The talk will further expand identifying robust algal strains suitable for cultivation in industrial effluents, enabling sustainable large-scale biomass production while supporting wastewater remediation. Finally, the presentation will discuss pathways for upgrading algal biomass into value-added agrichemicals and biostimulants, highlighting how advanced plant phenotyping approaches can be used to evaluate and validate their impacts on plant performance, and agricultural productivity.