A Vibrant Plant Biology Community

At TSL, our reputation is built on the stellar research outputs of our scientists. We’re proud to be recognised as a world-leading institute in molecular plant-microbe interactions (MPMI), but we believe our role extends beyond publishing groundbreaking research and into the heart of the MPMI community.

Impact is much more than publishing papers; it’s about changing how others think and advancing the entire field.

One of the ways we extend our impact is through the Summer Conference on Plant-Microbe Interactions which brings together international keynote speakers, local speakers and selected Early Career Researchers. The summer conference, which extends to two weeks, offers plenty of time for informal and social interactions to discuss the latest approaches and discoveries in plant-microbe interactions. Conference delegates are invited to present flash talks and posters about their own research and local speakers present lectures, host workshops and run lab sessions.

TSL Summer Conference in Plant-Microbe Interactions, 15th – 26th July 2024

All the groups and support teams within TSL were involved in the preparations for the two weeks: assisting with administration, workshops, lectures, and most importantly, hosting social events. The hard work was well worth it— from the very first day, the energy our new visitors brought to TSL was palpable, as animated discussions between our lab members and conference attendees filled the corridors and tearooms. The collective effort at TSL provided a valuable opportunity to celebrate our achievements and gain fresh insights from diverse perspectives.

We were blown away by the positive feedback from participants afterwards and it was clear that the opportunities to discuss research with our lab members left a lasting impression.

The appreciation of TSL's collaborative and open work environment and the obvious positive impacts reinforced our commitment to open science and community. As our Executive Director, Nick Talbot, shared with us afterwards:

"I think it is worth saying that the International Summer Conference showcased the essence and mission of TSL so well. It demonstrated our scientific excellence and daring research, but also our commitment to open science, transparency and helping the wider scientific community through our actions, wherever they are in the world and whatever their background. We were able to showcase the full spectrum of our activities, outreach and partnerships, and commitment to solving problems in plant health for humankind."

A Desire to Share

TSL maintains a very strong progressive brand, which we aspire to reflect in our culture, environment, research and public dialogue. Several summer conference delegates commented on how open we were in sharing our protocols and science.

Indeed, our aspiration to be a vibrant hub where novel knowledge and technologies are rapidly deployed and shared requires exactly that — a desire to share.

TSL scientists and students have truly exemplified our commitment to open science by establishing a Preprint Review Club, joining the community-driven effort to bring expert review and curation to preprints.

The aim is to demonstrate a more inclusive model for a more open and efficient future in research communication, while bringing our community together and promoting open science outside of TSL through social media and publicly shared reviews.

Behind the Scenes

Organizing an event that brings together international visitors and busy scientists for two weeks is no small feat. Yet, this year’s summer conference seemed to run seamlessly—a true testament to the hard work of an exceptional organizer behind the scenes.

We are deeply grateful to Steph Bornemann, Director of Postgraduate Research and Training, for leading the charge and demonstrating unwavering dedication to ensuring everyone’s needs were met. His efforts did not go unnoticed; participants repeatedly noted their appreciation for Steph's support in their glowing feedback.

Watch this space

"After meeting the other 19 early career delegates, I am confident that the future of plant health research is in good hands. This group is truly a powerhouse!" - Liz Florez, Postdoctoral Researcher at Kiel University

A big thanks to our engaged group of delegates and speakers for their constructive feedback and support which will help ensure that this event is an even better success next time.

Follow our journey and join the conversation on social media channels such as X and LinkedIn, and don’t miss out on our upcoming events and courses.

Thank you to our event sponsors: EMBO, Novogene and Hybrigenics.