Title: Vernalization: mechanism and natural variation
Lecturer: Caroline Dean, John Innes Centre, Norwich, UK
Place: KB3B1 "Stora hörsalen", KBC

Title: Cellulolytic yeasts for production of cellulosic ethanol – progress and challenges
Lecturer: W.H. (Emile) van Zyl, Department of Microbiology, University of Stellenbosch, South Africa
Place: KB3A9 "Lilla hörsalen", KBC

Title: Changes in the Transcriptome and Metabolome during the Initiation of Growth Cessation in Hybrid Aspens
by Daniel E. Hoffman, Department of Forest Genetics and Plant Physiology, SLU, Umeå
Place: Sal Björken at SLU in Umeå

Opponent: Dr Alex Webb, Department of Plant Science, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, Storbritannien

Title: Zeaxanthin in connection to photosynthesis and vision
Prof. Hans-Erik Åkerlund, Dept. of Biochemistry, Lund University
Place: KB3A9 "Lilla hörsalen", KBC

Abstract:
Oxidative stress is one the more important causes for damage of component of living cells. The combination of light, oxygen and red-ox carriers is particularly harmful and generates reactive oxygen species. This is the situation both in the photosynthetic system and in the retina of the eye. Although living systems have developed numerous systems to coop with this, damage may still occur, especially under stress conditions, leading to photoinhibition in plants and loss of vision humans. Zeaxanthin appears to have a central role for protection in these systems. The presentation will deal with regulatory aspects on the generation of zeaxanthin by the enzyme violaxanthin de-epoxidase, effects on membrane packing but also the application of this knowledge to improve the nutritional value of harvested vegetables.

Title: Regulation and evolution of growth patterns in a tree
Lecturer: Victor Busov, School of Forest Resources and Environmental Science, Michigan Technological University, USA
Place: KB3A9 "Lilla hörsalen", KBC