Events

SEB Centenary Conference -  4-7 July 2023 - Edinburgh, UK

The EcoMito community was at session A8 - Keeping the pace: integrating mitochondrial and cellular bioenergetics to whole-animal fitness in a changing environment

Organised by Elisa Thoral, Neal Dawson, Enrique Rodríguez and Stefano Bettinazzi

The environmental conditions experienced by an organism affect most aspects of their physiology and biochemistry. Maintenance of energy balance is critical to survive in the face of a changing environment. The primary method of energy production for most organisms is the generation of ATP by mitochondria. Therefore, changes in temperature, oxygen availability, and food sources, among others, will alter the capacity of mitochondria to support the necessary energy output for individuals to sustain life. Mitochondria are also involved in other processes such as thermoregulation, signalling, and biosynthesis. Thus, adjustments and adaptations of the mitochondrial phenotype and/or genotype are necessary to survive in the face of environment challenges, both for ectotherms and endotherms. The objective of this session will be to explore the current knowledge on mitochondrial plasticity and adaptations that allow animals to cope with environmental changes. This could include the modulation of mitochondrial metabolism through functional and/or genetic changes, including Mito nuclear coevolution.

This session aims to promote the sharing of knowledge among scientists from a wide range of disciplines (e.g., evolutionary biology, animal physiology, behavioural ecology, and biochemistry). We particularly encourage studies on the causes and consequences of mitochondrial energy production, and the biochemical or physiological pathways that are associated with energy production and organismal performance.

SEB Annual Conference -  8-11 July 2025 - Antwerp, Belgium

The EcoMito community was at session SAB3 - Cellular metabolism and individual performance: navigating from animals to plants in a changing world 

Organised by Elisa Thoral, Loïc Teulier, Enrique Rodríguez and Jules Devaux

In response to climate change, animals and plants must acclimate to shifting environmental conditions, often by modulating their metabolism and energetic  homeostasis. These metabolic adjustments can influence individual performance, survival, and reproductive success, ultimately shaping species’ acclimation capacity. The aim of our session is to explore the cellular and metabolic adaptations that both animal and plant species have evolved to manage various environmental stressors with a particular focus on mitochondrial responses. By highlighting recent advances in this field, we seek to foster discussions on the mechanisms underlying these responses and their potential implications for biodiversity conservation in a context of global change.