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Rubén Casanova Sáez is loading a sample into the microfluidics unit of the C-trap instrument. Photo: Mattias Pettersson, Umeå University
The C-Trap Facility at Umeå Plant Science Centre is the result of a joint effort of different departments and faculties at Umeå University. Now fully operational, it opens up exciting new possibilities for research at the single molecule scale. At the heart of the facility is the C-trap instrument, which combines laser-based optical tweezers with advanced microfluidics and confocal microscopy, enabling scientists to manipulate and observe dynamic molecular processes in real time.
Read more: New research facility allows scientists to watch molecules in action
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The main authors of the study, Totte Niittylä (left) and Wei Wang (right), began working with OPENER while searching for unknown genes essential for early seed development in Arabidopsis. Photo: Rebecca Forsberg
Scientists have uncovered the functions of many genes and proteins across different organisms, but much is still unknown. Now, researchers at Umeå Plant Science Centre have identified the function of a protein complex involved in establishing protein production in plants.
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Laura Tünnermann (middle) received the Marschner Young Scientist Award in Porto from Marta Vasconcelos (right) from the Catholic University of Portugal and president of the International Plant Nutrition Council and from selection committee member Zed Rengel (left) from the University of Western Australia (photo credit: International Plant Nutrition Council).
Last week, the International Plant Nutrition Council announced the winners of the prestigious Marschner Young Scientist Award. Laura Tünnermann was selected as one of two recipients in the PhD student category and received the award at the 20th International Plant Nutrition Colloquium in Porto.
Read more: Laura Tünnermann receives the Marschner Young Scientist Award
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Researchers from various disciplines came together in Umeå in June to discuss their work related to tree ring research (photo: Anne Honsel).
From 15 to 20 June, tree rings were in focus in Umeå during the international TRACE 2025 conference. Around 150 researchers and students from archaeology, climatology and ecology gathered to exchange knowledge and methodologies for tree ring analysis while enjoying the long Swedish summer days.
Read more: Tree rings build cross-disciplinary bridges at TRACE 2025 in Umeå
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Always fascinated by microbes, Tinkara Bizjak-Johansson investigated bacterial and fungal communities in boreal forests during her PhD in Annika Nordin's research group (photo: Anne Honsel).
Microbes like bacteria and fungi are all around us, yet we rarely notice them. Tinkara Bizjak-Johansson studied microbial communities in boreal forests and showed that fertilisation shifts fungal community composition in the soil but does not affect nitrogen-fixing bacteria in conifer needles.
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Jian-Feng Mao led the international team that developed the new long non-coding RNA analysis tool (photo: Mattias Pettersson, Umeå University).
An international research team, led by Jian-Feng Mao, have developed PlantLncBoost, a new computational tool that helps to identify long non-coding RNAs in plants. These RNAs are crucial for numerous biological processes but differ a lot between different plant species. PlantLncBoost addresses this challenge with very high accuracy offering new possibilities for genomic studies in plants. These findings were recently published in the journal New Phytologist.
Read more: New computational tool helps to identify long non-coding RNAs
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Laura Bacete Cano studies how plants perceive and maintain their cell walls, especially during growth, development and in response to environmental stress. Photo: Mattias Pettersson, Umeå University
She wants to help shape the academic environment and highlight the importance of research in plant cell and molecular biology. Laura Bacete Cano, Assistant Professor at Umeå University and group leader at Umeå Plant Science Centre, is one of eight new members that have been elected to the Young Academy of Sweden. In her new role, she will actively engage in research policy discussions, outreach towards young people and other activities the academy is involved in.
Read more: Laura Bacete Cano becomes a member of the Young Academy of Sweden
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Olivier Keech and his collaborators will use microorganisms to turn organic waste into animal feed (photo: Anne Honsel).
What if leftovers of organic materials could become valuable feed for animals? A new research project, led by Olivier Keech, is addressing this question and aims at developing circular solutions for more sustainable and efficient food systems. With generous support from the Kamprad Family Foundation for Entrepreneurship, Research & Charity, the team wants to transform residues from the forest and food industries into high-quality animal feed by combining fermentation and pelleting techniques.
Read more: New project aims to turn residues into high-quality animal feed
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At the ceremony last Friday, SLU's vice chancellor Maria Knutson (left) officially inaugurated Totte Niittylä (right) as professor at SLU (photo: Jenny Svennås-Gillner, SLU).
Last week, Totte Niittylä was officially inaugurated as Professor of Plant Physiology at the Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences (SLU). The inauguration ceremony took place on May 8 and 9 at SLU’s Ultuna campus in Uppsala. It was part of the university’s annual academic celebration welcoming new professors.
Read more: Tracking carbon in trees - Totte Niittylä inaugurated as Professor at SLU
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Taking the next step in an academic careers: Peter Kindgren (left) and Peter Marhavý (right) have delivered their docent lecture at the Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences (photo: Anne Honsel).
The decision has not yet been made, but the final requirement has been fulfilled: the two UPSC group leaders, Peter Kindgren and Peter Marhavý, have delivered their docent lectures this week. The appointment as a docent is the next step in an academic career following the PhD. It shows that the candidates have significantly developed their academic expertise, demonstrated their scientific independence, and proved that they are capable of acting as principal supervisors.
Read more: Curiosity and the ongoing sense of discovery drive their motivation