Meet Our PhD Fellows: Sharing Their Passion for Science_5
Our EpiSeedLink PhD students are stepping in front of the camera to share their passion for science and give you a glimpse into their research within the project.
Training in Science Communication
As part of their training in science communication and public engagement, our EpiSeedLink PhD students are creating short videos to present their research and key scientific topics from the project.
Video Series
These videos will be posted every two weeks on EpiSeedLink’s social media channels, giving the public a front-row view of the research questions and discoveries of the next generation of scientists.
Fifth Video Spotlight- The invisible power of epigenetics: Life rewritten
The fifth video features Martina Curci PhD student at the Centro de Biotecnología y Genómica de Plantas (CBGP), who explores epigenetics through practical examples, showing how DNA works beyond the genetic code alone.
Did you know that our choices and environment can influence how our genes are expressed?
Learn about it by watching the video at this link
The video was recorded in Italian language with subtitles in English
You can watch all videos in our YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@episeedlink2021/
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Merry Christmas and a Very Happy New Year 2026
🎄 Season’s Greetings from the EpiSeedLink Team 🎄
As we reach the end of another inspiring year of collaboration, discovery, and shared progress, the members of the EpiSeedLink project would like to extend our warmest wishes to everyone, our partners, our colleagues, our supporters, our web’s visitors…
✨ Thank you for your continued engagement, your curiosity, and your contributions to advancing our scientific mission.
✨ Thank you for following our work and supporting our mission to advance plant epigenetics and seed resilience.
✨ 2025 has been a year of growth, strengthened networks, and exciting achievements across our consortium.
✨ We look forward to 2026 with enthusiasm, ready to continue exploring, learning, and innovating together.
Wishing you a joyful holiday season and a bright start to the New Year. Here’s to an inspiring and productive 2026 together.
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Provisional Agreement on New Genomic Techniques (NGTs) in the EU
EU Institutions Reach Provisional Agreement on New Genomic Techniques (NGTs)
On 3 December, the EU Presidency and European Parliament concluded negotiations on a long-awaited regulation for new genomic techniques (NGTs) in plant breeding. The agreement introduces a differentiated framework intended to balance innovation, sustainability, and market access.
Key provisions include:
- Two-tier classification:
- Category 1: NGT plants deemed equivalent to conventional breeding, exempt from GMO legislation.
- Category 2: More complex modifications subject to GMO rules, authorisation, traceability, and labelling.
- Labelling rules: NGT-1 plants will not be labelled (except seeds), while NGT-2 plants will carry stricter requirements.
- Patent transparency: Applicants must disclose existing or pending patents; safeguards aim to prevent market concentration and ensure fair access.
- Governance: A patent monitoring group and EU code of conduct will oversee licensing practices and breeder access.
- Exclusions: NGTs remain prohibited in organic food production; member states may opt out of cultivating Category 2 plants.
This agreement marks a significant step in shaping Europe’s biotechnology policy, with implications for farmers, breeders, and the wider agrifood sector. While industry stakeholders welcome the enabling framework, environmental groups caution against risks of dependency on large agrochemical companies.
Source: Council, Parliament agree on long-awaited regulation for new genomic techniques | Science|Business
Meet Our PhD Fellows: Sharing Their Passion for Science_4
Our EpiSeedLink PhD students are stepping in front of the camera to share their passion for science and give you a glimpse into their research within the project.
Training in Science Communication
As part of their training in science communication and public engagement, our EpiSeedLink PhD students are creating short videos to present their research and key scientific topics from the project.
Video Series
These videos will be posted every two weeks on EpiSeedLink’s social media channels, giving the public a front-row view of the research questions and discoveries of the next generation of scientists.
Fourth Video Spotlight
The fourth video features Clarisse Zigue PhD student at the Sorbonne University, who explores light priming in dark-adapted seedlings. She is interested in triggering the memory of dark-grown seedlings to help them cope better with the transition to light.
To characterise the acquisition of light memory, she is focusing on identifying the genes and pathways involved in this process.
Watch the video at this link
You can watch all videos in our YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@episeedlink2021/
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Seventh EpiSeedLink Newsletter
EpiSeedLink Newsletter 7 – Out Now!
We are pleased to announce the release of the seventh edition of the EpiSeedLink Newsletter.
This new issue showcases how the EpiSeedLink network has worked to make plant science and epigenetics accessible to both academic and non‑academic audiences. From international conferences and cutting‑edge workshops to training sessions and collaborative outreach, our project continues to bridge science and society.
What’s inside Newsletter 7?
✅ Updates on online and in‑person courses completed after February 2024
✅ Insights into the secondments carried out by our Fellows during 2025
✅ The launch of the EpiSeedLink Podcast, now available online
✅ Latest scientific publications from the consortium
Our mission remains clear: to share what we do, why it matters, and how EpiSeedLink contributes to advancing science and society.
Read the full Newsletter 7 here
Stay tuned for more updates as we continue the journey of EpiSeedLink!
If you would like to receive the EpiSeedLink Newsletter directly, please contact us at episeedlink@cnb.csic.es.
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Meet Our PhD Fellows: Sharing Their Passion for Science_3
Our EpiSeedLink PhD students are stepping in front of the camera to share their passion for science and give you a glimpse into their research within the project.
Training in Science Communication
As part of their training in science communication and public engagement, our EpiSeedLink PhD students are creating short videos to present their research and key scientific topics from the project.
Video Series
These videos will be posted every two weeks on EpiSeedLink’s social media channels, giving the public a front-row view of the research questions and discoveries of the next generation of scientists.
Third Video Spotlight
The third video features Lei Li, PhD student at the University of Regensburg, who explores how environmental stress affects transcription elongation in Arabidopsis thaliana. While transcription initiation has long been considered the key regulatory step, new evidence highlights elongation as a major control point.
The study focuses on transcript elongation factors (TEFs) and their dynamic association with RNA polymerase II (RNAPII) under stress conditions like heat and salinity. By analyzing changes in the composition of the transcription elongation complex (TEC), the project aims to uncover how plants adjust gene expression to enhance stress resilience.
Watch the video at this link
You can watch all videos in our YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@episeedlink2021/
Frontal Image designed Freepik
Second EpiSeedLink Consortium Publication in Current Opinion in Plant Biology
You can read the full article here
Fronted image from Freepick
Meet Our PhD Fellows: Sharing Their Passion for Science_2
Our EpiSeedLink PhD students are stepping in front of the camera to share their passion for science and give you a glimpse into their research within the project
Training in Science Communication
As part of their training in science communication and public engagement, our EpiSeedLink PhD students are creating short videos to present their research and key scientific topics from the project.
Video Series
These videos will be posted every two weeks on EpiSeedLink’s social media channels, giving the public a front-row view of the research questions and discoveries of the next generation of scientists.
Second Video Spotlight
The second video features Shannon Skye Sherman, PhD student at the University of Zurich, who explores how seed priming reprograms molecular and epigenetic responses in Arabidopsis thaliana.
Seed priming, a pre-germination treatment, can enhance germination and tolerance to stresses such as drought.
By integrating transcriptomic and epigenetic changes associated with priming, she aims to identify mechanisms that may inform strategies for more resilient crops.
- Watch the video at this link
You can watch all videos in our YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@episeedlink2021/
Frontal Image designed Freepik
First EpiSeedLink Consortium Publication in BMC Plant Biology
It’s the first of many more to come!
Fronted image from Freepick
EpiSeedLink – Marie Curie Voices: Podcast Series
️✨ We are excited to announce the launch of EpiSeedLink – Marie Curie Voices, a brand-new podcast series created by our talented Marie Skłodowska-Curie fellows!
This 5-episode series takes you behind the scenes of the MSCA experience, exploring the personal stories, challenges, and aspirations of young researchers shaping the future of science across Europe.
Episode 1 by Stefania Paltrinieri & Clarisse Zigue
In the first episode, Stefania and Clarisse share their inspiring journeys, including:
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What motivated them to join the EpiSeedLink project
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How the fellowship is transforming their careers
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What being part of the Marie Curie community means to them
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Watch Episode 1 on YouTube or Spotify
Why Listen?
Whether you are considering a research career or simply curious about life inside an MSCA project, this podcast offers a unique and inspiring perspective.
Stay tuned for the upcoming episodes to hear more¡