DON'T FORGET TO SUBMIT YOUR PROPOSALS FOR SYMPOSIA, WORKSHOPS, AND FIELD TRIPS FOR #ASB2026! We are running our T-SHIRT DESIGN CONTEST, too! You can win free registration! ALL SUBMISSIONS ARE DUE SEPTEMBER 10th! Symposia Each symposium is a specially-arranged set of talks focused on a given theme and put together by a member-organizer. For the most part, symposia are open to everyone. Workshops Workshops allow attendees to participate in hands-on demonstrations of best practices in research and teaching. Panel Discussions Panels provide focused discussion on a topic by a group of experts. Past panel topics included applying for grants, getting into graduate school, and increasing inclusivity in academia. All registrants are welcome to attend panels. Field Trips Field trips offer registrants the chance to visit a local ecosystem or laboratory guided by a local expert. Lead the attendees to see endemic species, a unique ecosystem, or visit a prestigious lab or collection. To allow registrants to join a field trip without missing presentations, field trips are scheduled on Wednesday and Saturday, before and after the presentation days. Submit your proposals here: https://www.sebiologists.org/asb-2026.html If you have an idea, but aren't sure, let us know and we can help! (fb)

Poplar Trees: Nature’s Biofuel Game-Changer? 🌳⚡ New Study led by the University of Missouri (in collaboration with Oak Ridge National Lab and UGA) reveals how poplar trees adapt their wood chemistry naturally—unlocking big potential for sustainable energy and biomaterials. Lignin’s superpower: The woody polymer lignin—which gives trees strength and resilience—is shown to vary in composition depending on climate. Trees in warmer areas have a higher Syringyl-to-Guaiacyl (S/G) ratio, making lignin easier to break down into biofuels and other products. Surprise mutation: The team pinpointed a mutation in the enzyme laccase that controls S/G ratio—but it’s located outside the active site, hinting at new, undiscovered pathways that regulate lignin formation. Bonus discovery—C-lignin! They found trace amounts of C-lignin, previously thought confined to seeds of plants like vanilla and cacti. This simpler, more uniform form of lignin is far easier to process for bioplastics and biofuels. Next steps: The researchers aim to genetically engineer poplars (and even soybeans) to produce more C-lignin—paving the way for the next-gen biorefineries. Read more here: https://bioengineer.org/breakthrough-in-poplar-tree-research-paves-the-way-for-advancements-in-energy-and-biomaterials/ #Bioenergy #SustainableMaterials #PlantScience (fb)