Italy

Resting metabolic rate (RMR) encapsulates an animals’ baseline energetic demands, and varies with mass, developmental stage, and thermogenic capacity. While endogenous thermogenesis is energetically costly, the ability to regulate body temperature independently of environmental temperature is crucial for the survival of many animals. This study analyzed the metabolic trajectories of the altricial thirteen-lined ground squirrel (Ictidomys tridecemlineatus) and the precocial guinea pig (Cavia porcellus) and examined their correlation to the development of thermogenic capacity. We used respirometry to iteratively measure developmental changes in RMR, and employed cold exposures to measure endogenous thermogenic capacity. Whole-body RMRs and masses of both animals increased with progressively with age, but the rates of increase in each contrasted significantly between species. Spikes in mass-specific RMR (MSMR) in altricial I. tridecemlineatus pups occurred immediately at birth (postnatal day P0), and again between P18 and P43, after which it decreased in a mass specific manner reaching the lowest measured levels as adults. Curiously, the period of high metabolic demand predated the significant growth spurt starting at P29. This period of mass independent increase in metabolism correlated with a measured improvement in endogenous thermogenic ability. In contrast, C. porcellus had well developed endogenous thermogenic capability and their greatest MSMR at birth. C. porcellus MSMRs also gradually decreased to adult-like levels, but this began immediately after birth.The developmental differences between the two species appear to reflect metabolic trade-offs as pups allocated energy towards physiological development versus growth. This research is funded by NSERC Canada.

SEB Conference 2026

The cost of heat: characterizing developmental changes in metabolism and thermogenic capacity in mammals with juxtaposing life histories

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.

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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 a changing climate, organisms are experiencing increasing thermal stochasticity. Despite growing recognition of thermal variability's biological significance, the specific role of environmental unpredictability on organismal performance remains poorly explored. We addressed this gap by testing the hypothesis that stochastic regimes impose higher costs on fish performance beyond those attributable to thermal variance alone.
In this context, we investigated the effect of patterns of stochastic and cyclic thermal variations on energetic responses in a freshwater fish, the European chub (Squalius cephalus). Fish (n=130) were exposed to constant temperatures regimes (13°C, 19°C or 25°C) or experienced variable profiles sharing the same mean (19°C) and variance. Variable groups underwent either stochastic variations randomly oscillating between 13°C and 25°C, or cyclic variations following a circadian pattern. Both energetic cost through whole-organism oxygen consumption and energy intake with predation rate were assessed on the same fish after one and six weeks of exposure. Additionally, we measured growth, thermal tolerance, mitochondrial respiration, oxidative stress and telomers length. Despite having greater food intake, fish from the stochastic treatment had similar energetic needs and performance and they grew less than constant average fish, a pattern not visible in cyclic fish. Yet, stochastic fish exhibited similar levels of thermal tolerance, mitochondrial respiration and oxidative stress.
These findings point out profound consequences of stochasticity on fish energetic budget, which may be harsher than predictable fluctuations. They suggest an unresolved energetic trade-off and trait specific plasticity to variability, highlighting the urgency to better incorporate stochastic patterns into experimental designs.

Beyond the mean and the variance: does the predictability of thermal variations impact energetic responses in a freshwater fish?

Environmental temperatures affect organism’s physiological responses, and resident birds must adjust to seasonal variations as energy demands increase in low ambient temperatures. The gut microbiome is a key regulator of host physiology that can be influenced by temperature, and aid in host winter adaptation with microbes being able to adapt to environmental changes more rapidly than the host. Previous studies have shown that some gut bacterial taxa exhibit consistent shifts with temperature across animal taxa, specifically cold-exposed birds have higher abundance of Firmicutes which are positively correlated with mitochondrial proton-leak respiration. These bacteria ferment fibre into short-chain fatty acids (SCFA), such as butyrate, that play a role in energy metabolic pathways and could be linked to increased cold tolerance. To investigate the effect of SCFAs on host energy metabolism, wild great tits were supplemented with sodium butyrate for 28 days, while simultaneously exposing birds to either cold (6°C) or warm (20°C) temperatures in captivity. Cold tolerance, overnight whole-body metabolic rate (basal metabolic rate and metabolic rate below thermoneutrality) and mitochondrial function were assessed at the beginning and end of the experiment. We expect that cold-exposed birds will show a higher metabolism compared to warm, as a response to their environment and energy demands, with supplemented birds presenting a higher cold tolerance compared to other individuals. Results from this study could provide insight into the role of SCFAs in host thermoregulation and cold tolerance, ultimately providing information on how the gut microbiome can link to overwintering survival.

The role of short-chain fatty acids in host energy metabolism in great tits (Parus major)

Many species live in fluctuating environments and some anticipate these fluctuations by perceiving and responding to environmental cues. Telomere length has emerged as a promising physiological marker in this context because it is associated with environmental conditions and life history traits. However, its functional significance remains debated: telomere length may reflect physiological state of individuals or alternatively act as a signal mediating plastic adjustment in response to environmental conditions. Empirical evidence supporting either hypothesis is still limited. Here we studied the relationships between telomere length, resource availability and reproductive behaviour in a population of eastern chipmunks (Tamias striatus) living in a fluctuating pulse resource ecosystem. From 2022 to 2025, we monitored individuals across three field sites, one of which received annual sunflower seed supplementation. Chipmunks in this population synchronize reproduction with episodic seed pulses produced by American beech (Fagus grandifolia), with breeding occurring both in the summer preceding and the spring following mast events. We found no association between telomere length measured in the spring and either natural variation in beech seed production or experimental food supplementation. Additionally, we found no relationship between spring telomere length of females and the onset of summer oestrus. Our findings thus support neither the physiological state marker nor the signalling hypotheses. Since telomere length is expected to vary seasonally in small mammals, we recommend future studies repeatedly sample individuals throughout seasons and across environmental contexts.

Determinants of telomere length in eastern chipmunks evolving in a pulsed resource ecosystem

The type II diabetes drug metformin is one of the most measured pharmaceuticals in the aquatic environment globally, and prescription rates are only expected to rise in the next 30 years. Therefore, learning about its long-term effects in model aquatic organisms can aid our understanding of its mode of action and early life effects on growth and stress axes. To this end, our study exposed zebrafish from 0.5-1 hours post-fertilization (hpf) to 6-monthpost-fertilization (mpf) to environmentally relevant concentrations of metformin (0.4, 4, 40, and 400 µg/L). All metformin treated groups showed a delayed hatch response at 48 hpf relative to control, but all animals were hatched by 72 hpf. Metformin exposure had minimal impact on developmental cortisol profile, while the impacts on gene expression profiles are pending. An acute stressor was applied at 96 hpf to a sub-set of larvae, using vortex agitation for 1-minute. Fish exposed to 4 µg/L metformin had an attenuated stress response relative to control, with the effect being reduced at the higher concentrations. However, the mRNA abundance of the steroidogenic genes post-acute stress exposure was not affected by metformin. There did not appear to be any effects of metformin on fish length, weight and condition factor at 1 and 3 months of exposure. Surprisingly, our study has identified 4 µg/L of metformin, and not the 40 and 400 µg/L, as having the greatest effect on growth and stress parameters, when exposure occurs throughout the life cycle of the animal.

Lifecycle exposure to the type II diabetes drug, metformin in zebrafish: long-term effects on growth and stress axes

The thermal performance curve (TPC) framework characterizes the temperature dependence of physiological and behavioural traits to predict organismal fitness under current and future climate change. TPCs typically use the performance of a single trait as a proxy for overall fitness, which may lead to vulnerability assessments over- or under-estimating predictions of sensitivity to climate change. This research explores the mismatch between TPCs of different traits and whether this is explained by the levels of biological organization at which the traits are studied, from cellular to whole-organism and population levels. This talk will present TPCs of enzyme activity, walking speed, metabolic rate, fecundity, and egg hatching success in the model insect species, Harmonia axyridis (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae). Multiple mathematical models fitting TPCs were constructed and compared between attributes, with variation in TPC shape and parameters varying between traits. Despite the left-skewed nature of TPCs being conserved across traits, the thermal optima varied by as much as 13°C. This study highlights the limitation of using one trait as a proxy for organismal thermal performance. This research underlines the variation in thermal sensitivity across traits and will allow more robust estimates of vulnerability of ectotherms to climate change scenarios.

Uncoupled performance: Exploring trait-specific responses to predict species' sensitivity to temperature change

Fostering an inclusive and diverse community of environmental scientists is vital for our future creativity and innovation. To achieve this, we must remove barriers preventing children and young people from pursuing a career in the field, particularly those from marginalised and underrepresented communities. We present two scenario-based activities, designed to bring the thrill of scientific discovery to life and showcase the value of environmental sciences. These interactive games offer participants hands-on opportunities for inclusive team-working, appealing to a diverse audience of children largely (but not exclusively) at Key Stage Three (ages 11-14). The activities tackle national and internationally relevant issues in environmental science – a river pollution scenario, and a major oil spill event. Participants must work together to collect evidence, develop hypotheses, and make influential decisions to solve the challenge presented. During the development and delivery of sessions in both the South West and East Anglia, we have reached hundreds of students in schools, external workshops, and festivals. Our interdisciplinary team of postgraduate researchers, designers, and public engagement and education professionals has created extensive resources to facilitate independent delivery of these activities. All necessary components of the games are freely available, accessible, and intuitive to run – we present them here. We hope to enable interested teachers, educators, and public engagement professionals to inspire and empower our children and young people to develop an interest in the environmental sciences – especially those facing greater barriers to engagement.

ENclude: Interactive activities to inspire and empower the next generation of environmental scientists

Bread wheat (Triticum aestivum) is a polyploid crop – as such, most of its genes are present in three copies across the A, B, and D subgenomes. These gene copies are known as homoeologs, and the relative expression of each copy defines the homoeolog expression pattern. Across development, or under different environmental conditions, homoeolog expression patterns can be dynamic – for example, expression of only one homoeolog may increase in response to an environmental stimulus. However, it is unclear how diverse patterns of homoeolog expression arise in wheat. While correlations between DNA methylation and homoeolog expression have been observed, the direct effect of methylation on homoeolog expression has not been shown. Here, we generated mutants in the DNA methyltransferase 1-1 (MET1-1) gene to alter DNA methylation profiles in wheat which, in turn, resulted in changes in homoeolog expression patterns. We found that partial loss of MET1-1 function induced variation in homoeolog expression between individual mutants, which have mosaic patterns of DNA methylation across their genomes. In particular, we found that large reductions in methylation are associated with suppression of homoeolog expression. Overall, these insights demonstrate how homoeolog expression patterns can be manipulated by modifying the methylation status. Furthermore, by generating wheat lines with mosaic patterns of DNA methylation across their genomes, this research lays the groundwork to investigate the use of induced epigenetic changes for crop improvement.

Manipulating homoeolog expression patterns in wheat with DNA methylation mutants

Drought is a key constraint for present and future crop production and selecting the right plant water uptake strategies is essential to set robust crop management practices. In this context, the root system plays a central role in how plants access water. Functional root traits such as root hydraulic conductance are difficult to measure directly whereas structural traits are easier to phenotype and can be translated into function through modeling. However, field root phenotyping remains challenging. Most approaches are slow and provide either structural or anatomical traits but not as an integrated set. We develop an optimized phenotyping pipeline to measure structural and anatomical root parameters from field samples that could then serve directly as computational model input. The workflow starts with wheat shovelomics samples and targets root number, root diameter, interlateral root distance and cortex/stele size. Roots were counted manually as our imaging step works with individual roots. We designed a compact backlight imaging box that enables fast and standardized capture of high resolution images. We tested subsampling to reduce processing time while keeping the representativeness of the whole crown. Images were segmented automatically using RootPainter and anatomical traits were extracted using a novel dedicated tool. Structural data were benchmarked against SmartRoot tracing. Anatomical outputs were validated against cross-sections images acquired using Rapid Anatomical Tool (RAT). In conclusion, we provide an integrated and low-cost pipeline that merges fast imaging with automated extraction of structural and anatomical traits.

Multiscale root phenotyping pipeline for structural and anatomical traits acquisition linked to water uptake function

Giulia Giovanna Salerno, Enrico Rolli, Ada Ricci

Department of Chemical, Life and Environmental Sustainability Sciences, University of Parma,Parco Area delle Scienze 11/A, 43124, Parma, Italy

The abiotic conditions responsible for environmental stress on plants are increasing, partly due to climate change, which is having an ever-greater impact on plant development. These sessile organisms are an easy target, and it is urgent to adopt cultivation strategies to increase their resistance. Stress-induced leaf senescence is only the first in a series of effects that lead to premature ageing of plant organs, with a consequent and inevitable reduction in their functionality, causing irreparable damages. Key natural phytohormones that postpone plant senescence are cytokinins, which also increase resilience to abiotic stresses. Unfortunately, exogenous supplementation of cytokinins significantly alters the endogenous content of these plant growth regulators and negatively affects the germination process, as well as root development. Based on the results we obtained previously, here we describe preliminary data on the anti-stress activity of some urea derivatives, not yet commercially available. We also discuss a hypothesis regarding their mechanism of action and their possible use as compounds capable of increasing the resilience of plant organisms.

Some urea derivatives act as anti-stress compounds in plant development

Drought is a major consequence of climate change and significantly limits crop biomass and productivity. Developing sustainable strategies to mitigate drought stress is essential for securing agricultural yields, particularly in arid and semi-arid regions. Plant growth-promoting bacteria (PGPB) offer a promising solution. Pseudomonas argentinensis SA190, isolated from the Saudi Arabian desert, has been shown to enhance plant performance under drought stress conditions. However, the genetic and mechanistic basis of SA190’s beneficial effects remains unclear. Given the pivotal role of sulphur metabolism and sulphur-containing compounds in abiotic stress responses, we investigated the interaction between SA190 and sulphur nutrition in Arabidopsis thaliana under 25% polyethylene glycol (PEG)-induced drought stress. Using multiple sulphur-related Arabidopsis mutants, we found that SA190 enhances sulphate uptake and promotes glutathione (GSH) accumulation in shoots under PEG-induced drought stress conditions. Inhibition of GSH biosynthesis using buthionine sulfoximine (BSO) further confirmed SA190’s role in regulating GSH levels. Moreover, SA190 treatment improved the GSH/GSSG ratio, indicating enhanced redox balance under stress conditions. Using plant and bacterial mutants in GSH synthesis, we show that the bacteria directly provide the plant with either GSH or the precursor γ-EC. These findings suggest that SA190 promotes drought tolerance by supplying additional GSH to maintain cellular redox homeostasis.

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Beyond the mean and the variance: does the predictability of thermal variations impact energetic responses in a freshwater fish?

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