ERC SYNERGY Project HYDROSENSING
@hydrosensing.bsky.social
We are on a mission to transform our understanding of how plants sense and respond to water. Curated by @isabelmyp.bsky.social
https://hydrosensing.eu
https://hydrosensing.eu
In today’s meeting, Malcolm Bennett went member by member through the research updates from the @uniofnottingham.bsky.social team, discussing methods, results, and how these connect with the work of others across the extended Hydrosensing team.
Lots of food for thought.
Exciting times ahead 😉
Lots of food for thought.
Exciting times ahead 😉
November 13, 2025 at 12:13 PM
In today’s meeting, Malcolm Bennett went member by member through the research updates from the @uniofnottingham.bsky.social team, discussing methods, results, and how these connect with the work of others across the extended Hydrosensing team.
Lots of food for thought.
Exciting times ahead 😉
Lots of food for thought.
Exciting times ahead 😉
Huge congratulations to our colleague and PI Malcolm Bennett, named among Clarivate’s Highly Cited Researchers 2025 in Plant & Animal Science! One of only 7 UK researchers in this field! 👏👏👏
Beyond being an outstanding scientist, he’s also a truly supportive and kind colleague. We’re so proud!!
Beyond being an outstanding scientist, he’s also a truly supportive and kind colleague. We’re so proud!!
November 12, 2025 at 7:52 PM
Huge congratulations to our colleague and PI Malcolm Bennett, named among Clarivate’s Highly Cited Researchers 2025 in Plant & Animal Science! One of only 7 UK researchers in this field! 👏👏👏
Beyond being an outstanding scientist, he’s also a truly supportive and kind colleague. We’re so proud!!
Beyond being an outstanding scientist, he’s also a truly supportive and kind colleague. We’re so proud!!
We’ve just hit the 1/3 mark on the project, good time to pause & ask: what’s working, & what could be better?
At our last meeting, the ECRs led the discussion, PIs listening in. Everyone agreed the ECR meetings have been a strength a space to share the basics of each team’s work & discipline 💬
At our last meeting, the ECRs led the discussion, PIs listening in. Everyone agreed the ECR meetings have been a strength a space to share the basics of each team’s work & discipline 💬
October 31, 2025 at 11:35 AM
We’ve just hit the 1/3 mark on the project, good time to pause & ask: what’s working, & what could be better?
At our last meeting, the ECRs led the discussion, PIs listening in. Everyone agreed the ECR meetings have been a strength a space to share the basics of each team’s work & discipline 💬
At our last meeting, the ECRs led the discussion, PIs listening in. Everyone agreed the ECR meetings have been a strength a space to share the basics of each team’s work & discipline 💬
... with Bjørn Torger Stokke, Martijn Vandegehuchte, & Kirsten Krause (UiT).
#StrawberryWalls expands from @hydrosensing.bsky.social work taking knowledge further, from water sensing to heat stress & pest resistance.
Interested? Watch this space for updates!
4/4
#StrawberryWalls expands from @hydrosensing.bsky.social work taking knowledge further, from water sensing to heat stress & pest resistance.
Interested? Watch this space for updates!
4/4
October 14, 2025 at 11:48 AM
... with Bjørn Torger Stokke, Martijn Vandegehuchte, & Kirsten Krause (UiT).
#StrawberryWalls expands from @hydrosensing.bsky.social work taking knowledge further, from water sensing to heat stress & pest resistance.
Interested? Watch this space for updates!
4/4
#StrawberryWalls expands from @hydrosensing.bsky.social work taking knowledge further, from water sensing to heat stress & pest resistance.
Interested? Watch this space for updates!
4/4
... and Fragaria vesca (wild strawberry 🍓) to:
🌡️ examine cell wall mechanics in heat adaptation
🦠 test how higher temperatures affect pest/pathogen infections
🌾 lay groundwork for more resilient crops
The team spans physics, biology, & ecology led by Prof. Thorsten Hamann (NTNU)...
3/4
🌡️ examine cell wall mechanics in heat adaptation
🦠 test how higher temperatures affect pest/pathogen infections
🌾 lay groundwork for more resilient crops
The team spans physics, biology, & ecology led by Prof. Thorsten Hamann (NTNU)...
3/4
October 14, 2025 at 11:48 AM
... and Fragaria vesca (wild strawberry 🍓) to:
🌡️ examine cell wall mechanics in heat adaptation
🦠 test how higher temperatures affect pest/pathogen infections
🌾 lay groundwork for more resilient crops
The team spans physics, biology, & ecology led by Prof. Thorsten Hamann (NTNU)...
3/4
🌡️ examine cell wall mechanics in heat adaptation
🦠 test how higher temperatures affect pest/pathogen infections
🌾 lay groundwork for more resilient crops
The team spans physics, biology, & ecology led by Prof. Thorsten Hamann (NTNU)...
3/4
As the Arctic warms 4× faster than the global average, new farmland may open in northern latitudes... but pests & pathogens are moving north too.
The project aims to understand how plants cope with these twin challenges and will study Arabidopsis thaliana...
#ClimateChange #PlantScience
2/4
The project aims to understand how plants cope with these twin challenges and will study Arabidopsis thaliana...
#ClimateChange #PlantScience
2/4
October 14, 2025 at 11:48 AM
As the Arctic warms 4× faster than the global average, new farmland may open in northern latitudes... but pests & pathogens are moving north too.
The project aims to understand how plants cope with these twin challenges and will study Arabidopsis thaliana...
#ClimateChange #PlantScience
2/4
The project aims to understand how plants cope with these twin challenges and will study Arabidopsis thaliana...
#ClimateChange #PlantScience
2/4
Big news from the NTNU team! 👏
They've received €2.1M from the Norwegian Research Council for #StrawberryWalls project, exploring how plants adapt to heat, drought & pests in a warming Arctic.
👉 hydrosensing.eu/2025/10/strawberrywalls-new-research-to-help-plants-thrive-in-a-warming-arctic/
1/4
They've received €2.1M from the Norwegian Research Council for #StrawberryWalls project, exploring how plants adapt to heat, drought & pests in a warming Arctic.
👉 hydrosensing.eu/2025/10/strawberrywalls-new-research-to-help-plants-thrive-in-a-warming-arctic/
1/4
October 14, 2025 at 11:48 AM
Big news from the NTNU team! 👏
They've received €2.1M from the Norwegian Research Council for #StrawberryWalls project, exploring how plants adapt to heat, drought & pests in a warming Arctic.
👉 hydrosensing.eu/2025/10/strawberrywalls-new-research-to-help-plants-thrive-in-a-warming-arctic/
1/4
They've received €2.1M from the Norwegian Research Council for #StrawberryWalls project, exploring how plants adapt to heat, drought & pests in a warming Arctic.
👉 hydrosensing.eu/2025/10/strawberrywalls-new-research-to-help-plants-thrive-in-a-warming-arctic/
1/4
Enjoy the picture to see moments from the visit — from the Robin Hood statue to the lab and evening strolls through Nottingham! 🌿
@uniregensburg.bsky.social
4/4
@uniregensburg.bsky.social
4/4
October 7, 2025 at 6:31 PM
Enjoy the picture to see moments from the visit — from the Robin Hood statue to the lab and evening strolls through Nottingham! 🌿
@uniregensburg.bsky.social
4/4
@uniregensburg.bsky.social
4/4
The visit highlighted the spirit of our project: connecting scientists across borders and disciplines to advance cutting-edge research together to uncover the mechanisms plants use to perceive water stress.
3/4
3/4
October 7, 2025 at 6:31 PM
The visit highlighted the spirit of our project: connecting scientists across borders and disciplines to advance cutting-edge research together to uncover the mechanisms plants use to perceive water stress.
3/4
3/4
During this visit, Christine Ziegler @ziegler-lab-ur.bsky.social joined Malcolm Bennett in their lab at the University of Nottingham, while Eilon Shani @eilonshani.bsky.social also happened to be visiting the same research center — a perfect coincidence for a productive and friendly reunion!
2/4
2/4
October 7, 2025 at 6:31 PM
During this visit, Christine Ziegler @ziegler-lab-ur.bsky.social joined Malcolm Bennett in their lab at the University of Nottingham, while Eilon Shani @eilonshani.bsky.social also happened to be visiting the same research center — a perfect coincidence for a productive and friendly reunion!
2/4
2/4
From Sep 28th to Oct 1st, three of our PIs met in Nottingham for an in-person exchange of ideas and progress discussions. Over the days, the team engaged in:
🔬 Lab tours & hands-on sessions
💻 Project webinars
🍽️ Group lunches and dinners
💡 Discussions to spark ideas for collaborations
1/4
🔬 Lab tours & hands-on sessions
💻 Project webinars
🍽️ Group lunches and dinners
💡 Discussions to spark ideas for collaborations
1/4
October 7, 2025 at 6:31 PM
From Sep 28th to Oct 1st, three of our PIs met in Nottingham for an in-person exchange of ideas and progress discussions. Over the days, the team engaged in:
🔬 Lab tours & hands-on sessions
💻 Project webinars
🍽️ Group lunches and dinners
💡 Discussions to spark ideas for collaborations
1/4
🔬 Lab tours & hands-on sessions
💻 Project webinars
🍽️ Group lunches and dinners
💡 Discussions to spark ideas for collaborations
1/4
Exciting news from the @uniofnottingham.bsky.social lab!🔬
They have just set up a new ERC-funded vertical confocal platform that will allow to image root systems growing in more "natural ways"
This setup will open up new opportunities to study plant development in unprecedented detail
They have just set up a new ERC-funded vertical confocal platform that will allow to image root systems growing in more "natural ways"
This setup will open up new opportunities to study plant development in unprecedented detail
September 30, 2025 at 11:37 AM
Exciting news from the @uniofnottingham.bsky.social lab!🔬
They have just set up a new ERC-funded vertical confocal platform that will allow to image root systems growing in more "natural ways"
This setup will open up new opportunities to study plant development in unprecedented detail
They have just set up a new ERC-funded vertical confocal platform that will allow to image root systems growing in more "natural ways"
This setup will open up new opportunities to study plant development in unprecedented detail
Back from summer & team meetings are buzzing again!!🧑🔬
To a good start, Barak Mitman from @eilonshani.bsky.social shared work on xerobranching-associated genes & transporters 🌱
We also welcomed many new faces, especially from Nottingham, making our calls bigger than ever: 26 people, 4 countries!! 🤩
To a good start, Barak Mitman from @eilonshani.bsky.social shared work on xerobranching-associated genes & transporters 🌱
We also welcomed many new faces, especially from Nottingham, making our calls bigger than ever: 26 people, 4 countries!! 🤩
September 11, 2025 at 4:17 PM
Back from summer & team meetings are buzzing again!!🧑🔬
To a good start, Barak Mitman from @eilonshani.bsky.social shared work on xerobranching-associated genes & transporters 🌱
We also welcomed many new faces, especially from Nottingham, making our calls bigger than ever: 26 people, 4 countries!! 🤩
To a good start, Barak Mitman from @eilonshani.bsky.social shared work on xerobranching-associated genes & transporters 🌱
We also welcomed many new faces, especially from Nottingham, making our calls bigger than ever: 26 people, 4 countries!! 🤩
Plant roots don’t just rely on genes... physics shapes them too 🌱
Research shows plant roots can adjust their stiffness + softness within HOURS to keep growing, even under stress.
1/2
Research shows plant roots can adjust their stiffness + softness within HOURS to keep growing, even under stress.
1/2
August 18, 2025 at 4:57 PM
Plant roots don’t just rely on genes... physics shapes them too 🌱
Research shows plant roots can adjust their stiffness + softness within HOURS to keep growing, even under stress.
1/2
Research shows plant roots can adjust their stiffness + softness within HOURS to keep growing, even under stress.
1/2
Today, Amichai Berman, PhD student from TAU - @eilonshani.bsky.social - deliver an engaging seminar on CRISPR; the 1st session on this & 3rd seminar overall in our ongoing series for PhD students & PostDocs.
With 13 attendees across the 4 different teams of the project.
#CRISPR #PhDLife #Science
With 13 attendees across the 4 different teams of the project.
#CRISPR #PhDLife #Science
July 29, 2025 at 12:16 PM
Today, Amichai Berman, PhD student from TAU - @eilonshani.bsky.social - deliver an engaging seminar on CRISPR; the 1st session on this & 3rd seminar overall in our ongoing series for PhD students & PostDocs.
With 13 attendees across the 4 different teams of the project.
#CRISPR #PhDLife #Science
With 13 attendees across the 4 different teams of the project.
#CRISPR #PhDLife #Science
Not only small model plants! 🌱
#Hydrosensing team at Tel Aviv (Shani Lab) is carrying out large-scale CRISPR libraries in crops.
#Hydrosensing team at Tel Aviv (Shani Lab) is carrying out large-scale CRISPR libraries in crops.
July 11, 2025 at 7:50 AM
Not only small model plants! 🌱
#Hydrosensing team at Tel Aviv (Shani Lab) is carrying out large-scale CRISPR libraries in crops.
#Hydrosensing team at Tel Aviv (Shani Lab) is carrying out large-scale CRISPR libraries in crops.
Congratulations to Prof. @eilonshani.bsky.social Eilon Shani, #Hydrosensing PI, on being elected to EMBO 2025! 🎉
This honor recognizes his outstanding contributions to plant molecular genetics and scientific excellence @embo.org
www.embo.org/press-releas...
This honor recognizes his outstanding contributions to plant molecular genetics and scientific excellence @embo.org
www.embo.org/press-releas...
July 2, 2025 at 3:11 PM
Congratulations to Prof. @eilonshani.bsky.social Eilon Shani, #Hydrosensing PI, on being elected to EMBO 2025! 🎉
This honor recognizes his outstanding contributions to plant molecular genetics and scientific excellence @embo.org
www.embo.org/press-releas...
This honor recognizes his outstanding contributions to plant molecular genetics and scientific excellence @embo.org
www.embo.org/press-releas...
Moments from #ICAR2025 by HS team members
1️⃣ Malcolm Bennett & Danielle Colyer w Marc Van Montagu, the legendary pioneer who co-discovered Agrobacterium DNA transformation; the foundation of plant genetic modification 🧬🌱
2️⃣ MB catching up with Tom Beeckman, one of the driving forces behind ICAR 💪
1️⃣ Malcolm Bennett & Danielle Colyer w Marc Van Montagu, the legendary pioneer who co-discovered Agrobacterium DNA transformation; the foundation of plant genetic modification 🧬🌱
2️⃣ MB catching up with Tom Beeckman, one of the driving forces behind ICAR 💪
June 20, 2025 at 8:45 AM
Moments from #ICAR2025 by HS team members
1️⃣ Malcolm Bennett & Danielle Colyer w Marc Van Montagu, the legendary pioneer who co-discovered Agrobacterium DNA transformation; the foundation of plant genetic modification 🧬🌱
2️⃣ MB catching up with Tom Beeckman, one of the driving forces behind ICAR 💪
1️⃣ Malcolm Bennett & Danielle Colyer w Marc Van Montagu, the legendary pioneer who co-discovered Agrobacterium DNA transformation; the foundation of plant genetic modification 🧬🌱
2️⃣ MB catching up with Tom Beeckman, one of the driving forces behind ICAR 💪
In the very 1st session this Tuesday, @greg-madej.bsky.social, from @uniregensburg.bsky.social @ziegler-lab-ur.bsky.social, presented how their expertise is applied within the project; specially the use of Cryo-EM in the study of membrane-embedded proteins.
🌐 www.uni-regensburg.de/biologie-vor...
🌐 www.uni-regensburg.de/biologie-vor...
June 12, 2025 at 10:54 AM
In the very 1st session this Tuesday, @greg-madej.bsky.social, from @uniregensburg.bsky.social @ziegler-lab-ur.bsky.social, presented how their expertise is applied within the project; specially the use of Cryo-EM in the study of membrane-embedded proteins.
🌐 www.uni-regensburg.de/biologie-vor...
🌐 www.uni-regensburg.de/biologie-vor...
Recently, our early-career researchers agreed on the value of organizing regular sessions for PhDs and PostDocs to explore key research topics in greater depth.
These sessions offer a space to understand the methods & techniques used across the 4 #Hydrosensing teams.
#science
These sessions offer a space to understand the methods & techniques used across the 4 #Hydrosensing teams.
#science
June 12, 2025 at 10:54 AM
Recently, our early-career researchers agreed on the value of organizing regular sessions for PhDs and PostDocs to explore key research topics in greater depth.
These sessions offer a space to understand the methods & techniques used across the 4 #Hydrosensing teams.
#science
These sessions offer a space to understand the methods & techniques used across the 4 #Hydrosensing teams.
#science
For the first time we are starting to understand how root cells respond to their complex soil environment, revealing that roots actively sense their microenvironment and mount precise, cell-specific molecular responses.
hydrosensing.eu/2025/05/sing...
#PlantScience #Science
hydrosensing.eu/2025/05/sing...
#PlantScience #Science
June 5, 2025 at 10:11 AM
For the first time we are starting to understand how root cells respond to their complex soil environment, revealing that roots actively sense their microenvironment and mount precise, cell-specific molecular responses.
hydrosensing.eu/2025/05/sing...
#PlantScience #Science
hydrosensing.eu/2025/05/sing...
#PlantScience #Science
🚨 Exciting news!
HYDROSENSING has been invited to present by the EURO-BIOIMAGING EXPERT GROUP (Plant Imaging)! 🌱
🗓️ May 28 | 13:00 CET | Online
🔬 Discover how plants sense water stress
🔗 Scan the QR code to register or use the following link: docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1F...
HYDROSENSING has been invited to present by the EURO-BIOIMAGING EXPERT GROUP (Plant Imaging)! 🌱
🗓️ May 28 | 13:00 CET | Online
🔬 Discover how plants sense water stress
🔗 Scan the QR code to register or use the following link: docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1F...
May 16, 2025 at 8:56 AM
🚨 Exciting news!
HYDROSENSING has been invited to present by the EURO-BIOIMAGING EXPERT GROUP (Plant Imaging)! 🌱
🗓️ May 28 | 13:00 CET | Online
🔬 Discover how plants sense water stress
🔗 Scan the QR code to register or use the following link: docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1F...
HYDROSENSING has been invited to present by the EURO-BIOIMAGING EXPERT GROUP (Plant Imaging)! 🌱
🗓️ May 28 | 13:00 CET | Online
🔬 Discover how plants sense water stress
🔗 Scan the QR code to register or use the following link: docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1F...
Glad to introduce our new logo 🎉
This new image reflects our mission: understanding how #plants perceive and respond to water stress — a step toward developing crops resilient to drought and #climatechange
🔗 hydrosensing.eu
The image tells a story:
1/3 👇
This new image reflects our mission: understanding how #plants perceive and respond to water stress — a step toward developing crops resilient to drought and #climatechange
🔗 hydrosensing.eu
The image tells a story:
1/3 👇
May 8, 2025 at 8:21 AM
Glad to introduce our new logo 🎉
This new image reflects our mission: understanding how #plants perceive and respond to water stress — a step toward developing crops resilient to drought and #climatechange
🔗 hydrosensing.eu
The image tells a story:
1/3 👇
This new image reflects our mission: understanding how #plants perceive and respond to water stress — a step toward developing crops resilient to drought and #climatechange
🔗 hydrosensing.eu
The image tells a story:
1/3 👇
New #Hydrosensing paper out!
Genetic variation drives crop breeding, but traditional mutagenesis is limited by gene redundancy and low precision. CRISPR-Cas9 offers targeted editing, yet scaling it in plants has been a challenge.
Please, take a look: hydrosensing.eu/2025/05/cons...
👇
Genetic variation drives crop breeding, but traditional mutagenesis is limited by gene redundancy and low precision. CRISPR-Cas9 offers targeted editing, yet scaling it in plants has been a challenge.
Please, take a look: hydrosensing.eu/2025/05/cons...
👇
May 6, 2025 at 6:58 AM
New #Hydrosensing paper out!
Genetic variation drives crop breeding, but traditional mutagenesis is limited by gene redundancy and low precision. CRISPR-Cas9 offers targeted editing, yet scaling it in plants has been a challenge.
Please, take a look: hydrosensing.eu/2025/05/cons...
👇
Genetic variation drives crop breeding, but traditional mutagenesis is limited by gene redundancy and low precision. CRISPR-Cas9 offers targeted editing, yet scaling it in plants has been a challenge.
Please, take a look: hydrosensing.eu/2025/05/cons...
👇
In @uniofnottingham.bsky.social ERC Hydrosensing members spent a few intense (and wardrobe-consistent 😅) days filming about research on root systems and how plants adapt to drought.
More footage for the documentary is being filmed at locations around the world in the coming year.
More footage for the documentary is being filmed at locations around the world in the coming year.
April 22, 2025 at 10:48 AM
In @uniofnottingham.bsky.social ERC Hydrosensing members spent a few intense (and wardrobe-consistent 😅) days filming about research on root systems and how plants adapt to drought.
More footage for the documentary is being filmed at locations around the world in the coming year.
More footage for the documentary is being filmed at locations around the world in the coming year.