Dear colleagues,
In today's newsletter, we are excited to announce the final webinar of the season discussing Redox methods and the launch of the call for new ECR fellowships. We will also share with you a summary of November's webinar and of the PhD symposium. At the end of the newsletter, as always, you can also find a collection of upcoming events with important deadlines, some suggestions of interesting redox reads recently published, open call for papers and job opportunities for young redox researchers.
Next Webinar series “Emerging leaders in redox biology”
The final webinar of the year will take place on December 3rd, 2024, at 15:00 CET, focusing on the important topic “Redox methods” with featured speakers James Cobley and Rafael Argüello.
Oxiforms: Redox biology at the proteoform level
James Cobley, PhD
School of Life Sciences, University of Dundee, Dundee, United Kingdom
After studying the redox aspects of sports supplements as an exercise physiology student, James Cobley joined Abertay University (Dundee) to research the biology of reactive oxygen species (ROS) in the nervous system, with a particular focus on synapse pruning. During this time, he visited the lab of Prof. Michael Murphy to learn the art of measuring ROS, particularly mitochondrial superoxide using MitoNeD. Thereafter, James joined the University of the Highlands and Islands (Inverness) to study cysteine redox biology using microplate-based techniques and developed the idea of oxiforms: cysteine redox proteoforms. Presently, James is post-doctoral researcher in the lab of Prof. Angus Lamond at Dundee University. There, James is applying mass spectrometry based proteomics to analyse adipose tissue from identical and non-identical human twins, using the Astral machine. He is also working on methods to measure cysteine redox proteoforms using mass spectrometry.
Decoding complexity: A closer look at stress, metabolism and epigenetic crosstalks through Epic-SCENITH and SNUPR
Rafael Argüello, PhD
Aix Marseille Univ, CNRS, INSERM, CIML, Centre d'Immunologie de Marseille-Luminy, Marseille, France
Rafael J. Argüello is tenured research associate at CNRS (Marseille) and the inventor of SCENITHTM, a method for metabolic profiling with single cell resolution. A molecular biologist with a PhD in Human Immunology from Argentina (UBA) and postdoctoral work at CIML and UCSF, his research now focuses on stress, metabolism and epigenetics in immune cells. His awards include the 2021 Diversity-Equity and Inclusion Paper of the Year 2021. He co-founded GammaOmics, a startup developing personalized medicine tools, is active in the non-profit-Expedición Ciencia, and is a co-founding member of the European ImmunoMetabolism Network.
ECR Fellowships - New call open!!
If you are an ECR member of the SFRR-E and under 40 years of age in one of the following situations:
- Postdoc (minimum 3 years after the completion of your PhD).
- Scientist returning to academia after a career break
- Scientist less than 3 years into your first academic position.
You can apply to one of the SFRR-E/OCC ECR Fellowships! These fellowships provide funding up to 10.000€ for a 12-month period supporting research or seed-funding for a new project relevant for the redox field.
If you are interested in applying, please submit your application via the SFRR-E intranet. Deadline: 20th December 2024.
More information as well as the application form are available in the members area of the SFRR-E web: https://intranet.sfrr-europe.org
Good luck to you all!
New ECR subcommittee members - call open until the 29th November!
The ECR subcommittee is looking for new members! Are you interested in joining a vibrant redox community trying to support young researchers in the redox field? We have open spots in the following committees: social media team, newsletter team, webinar team and mentoring program.
If you are less than 40 years old and/or you have defended your PhD thesis less than 10 years ago and you would like to contribute to the redox ECR community, we are looking forward to meeting you!
The call is now open until the 29th November 2024.
You can apply by filling out this form: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/LPMHD6C or directly reach out to us if you have questions!
Second Edition of the PhD Redox Relay Online Symposium:
On the 19th November six enthusiastic PhD students showcased their research at the 2nd Edition of our PhD Symposium!
Each presenter did an excellent job presenting their PhD projects in just 5 minutes! The symposium covered a diverse range of topics, from aging and sports science to the cutting-edge field of persulfides and chronic diseases. The students presented their data with enthusiasm, shared their ideas with confidence, and tackled even the toughest questions with ease.
It was a real pleasure listening to them and if this is the future of redox biology, we are very excited for the years to come!
Please acknowledge our brave PhD students! 
If you missed it, you can find the symposium on the society’s intranet!
November's webinar:
On November's webinar we enjoyed two great talks on the topic “Redox in Photosynthetic organisms” by Sophie Hendrix and Libero Gurrieri.
Glutathione peroxidase-like 8 (GPXL8): A new player in hydrogen peroxide signalling in Arabidopsis thaliana?
Sophie Hendrix, PhD
Centre for Environmental Sciences, Hasselt University, Diepenbeek, Belgium
Department of Biology, University of Antwerp, Antwerp, Belgium
Do you feel the heat? Plant cells depend on an extensive antioxidant defense network to keep reactive oxygen species (ROS) at sub-toxic levels. One member of this network is glutathione peroxidases (GPX). In mammalian cells, GPXs detoxify hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) via the GSH/GR/NADPH redox relay, while plant GPXs, in contrast, use the TRX/NTR/NADPH redox relay, and therefore named GPX-like proteins or GPXLs. Dr. Sophie Hendrix shared with us the potential role of a GPXL in alleviating heat-induced ferroptosis plants. A type of programmed cell death dependent on Iron that is well understood in mammal cells but with limited information in plants. Moreover, Dr. Hendrix proved that this GPXL can work as a new H2O2 sensor in vitro and in vivo. Using different variants of this GPXL, they have gained further insight into the importance of each of its conserved cysteines in establishing the protein’s oxidoreductase activity. These new discoveries contribute to elucidating the function of uncharacterized plant GPXLs and open the possibility of generating new redox sensors for H2O2.
Redox control of starch degradation interlaces glutathione, thioredoxins and guard cell function
Libero Gurrieri, PhD
Molecular Plant Physiology Lab, Department of Pharmacy and Biotechnology, University of Bologna, Italy
Take a breath! Plants use stomata as pores for gas exchange, letting carbon dioxide (CO2) in for carbon fixation and water out as vapor. Stomata opening and closing are mediated by a pair of guard cells that, in turn, are controlled by multiple factors, including starch degradation. Starch is the carbohydrate reserve that plants build during the day and use during the night when photosynthesis is not possible. Starch degradation leads to ATP production, which activates ion channels that ultimately change the cell water potential, facilitating stomata closure. In this webinar, Dr. Libero Gurrieri presented his work on characterizing BAM1, a chloroplast beta-amylase regulated by redox. BAM1 is inactive upon forming an intramolecular disulfide bond and active when reduced. He proved that mutant lines for chloroplastic glutathione reductase (GR) have more degraded starch, indicating increased amylase activity, and they are currently following the hypothesis that GSH can glutathionylate BAM1, protecting it from redox inactivation. The following research will focus on the connection between the redox-regulated amylase activity and stomata opening, reinforcing the redox-gas exchange link in plant leaves.
More information about the ECR Subcommittee can be found on the SFRR-E website (ECR Committee), while regular updates can be found on Twitter (@SFRR_Europe), Instagram (@sfrr_ecr) and LinkedIn (SFRR-E). For any question or suggestion you might have, you can contact us via email:
Hope to see you online for our next Webinar Series appointment,
The ECR subcommittee
Upcoming events:
22nd SFRRI Biennial Meeting
The New Era of Redox Biology: from Basic Biochemistry to Redox Omics
3 - 6 June 2025
Location: Galway, Ireland
Deadlines:
Travel Grant Applications: 10 January 2025
Abstract Submission: 10 February 2025
Early Bird Registration: 31 March 2025
Further information: https://www.sfrrgalway2025.com
FASEB Science Research Conference. Ferroptosis, Oxidative Stress, and Lipid Metabolism
27 - 31 July 2025
Location: Scottsdale, Arizona
Deadlines:
Abstract Submission: 1 June 2025
Early Registration: 15 June 2025
Housing: 13 July 2025
Further information: https://events.faseb.org/event/11797f9e-df16-42b9-9c47-f1e06713c4fb/summary
Interesting Redox Papers:
Lang, L., Reinert, P., Diaz, C. & Deponte, M. The dithiol mechanism of class I glutaredoxins promotes specificity for glutathione as a reducing agent. Redox Biol (2024). https://doi.org/10.1016/j.redox.2024.103410
Fiorenza, M., Onslev, J., Henríquez-Olguín., C., et al. Reducing the mitochondrial oxidative burden alleviates lipid-induced muscle insulin resistance in humans. Sci Adv (2024). https://doi.org/10.1126/sciadv.adq4461
Sarah Barakat, Şeyma Çimen, Ş, Miri, SM., et al. Bioenergetic shift and proteomic signature induced by lentiviral-transduction of GFP-based biosensors. Redox Biol (2024). https://doi.org/10.1016/j.redox.2024.103416
Pérez-Chávez, I., Koberstein, J.N., Malo Pueyo, J., et al. Tracking fructose 1,6-bisphosphate dynamics in liver cancer cells using a fluorescent biosensor. iScience (2024). https://doi.org/10.1016/j.isci.2024.111336
Choudhary, D., Foster, K.R. & Uphoff, S. The master regulator OxyR orchestrates bacterial oxidative stress response genes in space and time. Cell Syst (2024) https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cels.2024.10.003
Ito, J., Nakamura, T., Toyama, T., et al. PRDX6 dictates ferroptosis sensitivity by directing cellular selenium utilization. Mol Cell (2024). https://doi.org/10.1016/j.molcel.2024.10.028
Ryu, K.W., Fung, T.S., Baker, D.C., et al. Cellular ATP demand creates metabolically distinct subpopulations of mitochondria. Nature (2024). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41586-024-08146-w
Chen, Z., Inague, A., Kaushal, K. et al. PRDX6 contributes to selenocysteine metabolism and ferroptosis resistance. Mol Cell (2024). https://doi.org/10.1016/j.molcel.2024.10.027
Gomes, F., Turano, H., Haddad, L.A. & Netto, L.E.S. Human mitochondrial peroxiredoxin Prdx3 is dually localized in the intermembrane space and matrix subcompartments. Redox Biol (2024) https://doi.org/10.1016/j.redox.2024.103436
Pace, P.E., Fu, L., Hampton, M.B. & Winterbourn, C.C.. Redox proteomic analysis of H2O2 -treated Jurkat cells and effects of bicarbonate and knockout of peroxiredoxins 1 and 2. Free Radic Biol Med (2024). https://doi.org/10.1016/j.freeradbiomed.2024.10.314
Insightful Redox Reviews:
Zachary J. Rogers, Z.J., Flood, D. & Taylor, C.T. Oxygen control in cell culture – your cells may not be experiencing what you think! Free Radic Biol Med (2024). https://doi.org/10.1016/j.freeradbiomed.2024.11.036
Sies, H. SFRRI Inaugural Alberto Boveris Award Lecture Dynamics of Intracellular and Intercellular Redox Communication. Free Radic Biol Med (2024). https://doi.org/10.1016/j.freeradbiomed.2024.11.002
Jackson, MJ. Exercise-induced adaptations to homeostasis of reactive oxygen species in skeletal muscle. Free Radic Biol Med (2024). https://doi.org/10.1016/j.freeradbiomed.2024.10.270
José Viña, J., Borrás, C. & Mas-Bargues, C. Free radicals in Alzheimer's disease: From pathophysiology to clinical trial results. Free Radic Biol Med (2024). https://doi.org/10.1016/j.freeradbiomed.2024.09.051
Duong, L.D., West, J.D. & Morano, K.A. Redox Regulation of Proteostasis. J Biol Chem (2024). https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jbc.2024.107977
Lastest Redox Preprints:
Agostinis, P., Rizzollo, F., Escamilla-Ayala, A., et al. A Bdh2-driven Lysosome to Mitochondria Iron Trafficking Controls Ferroptosis in Melanoma. Research Square (2024). https://doi.org/10.21203/rs.3.rs-5345588/v1
Call for papers:
Journal: Free Radical Biology and Medicine
Special Issue: Redox medicine: Translation of Basic science to the Clinic
Submission deadline: 1 March 2025
More information: https://www.sciencedirect.com/special-issue/314690/redox-medicine-translation-of-basic-science-to-the-clinic
Redox Job Opportunities:
Postdoc positions
• Kind of position: Postdoc (2 years)
• Research topic: Physiology and Pharmacology
• Institute/University: Karolinska Institute, Stockholm
• Deadline: 31st January 2025
• Contact information:
• Further information about the position: We are searching for someone skilled in biochemistry and/or chemical biology. Knowledge in EPR technique is highly appreciated.
• Kind of position: Postdoc (3 years)
• Research topic: Post-translational Modifications and Proliferation
• Institute/University: The Institute of Cancer Research, London ( Dr. Jörg Mansfeld Lab)
• Deadline: 15th December 2024 (Interviews January 2025)
• Contact information:
• Further information about the position: we are seeking a highly motivated and ambitious candidate for a Postdoctoral Training Fellow position, with experience in cell cycle research, ubiquitin, or redox biology. A strong cell biology or biochemistry background with an emphasis on the regulation of protein-protein interactions and mechanistic studies in vitro or in cells is highly desirable. Knowledge in DNA replication and/or DNA damage repair is desirable.
• Lab webpage: https://www.mansfeldlab.com
• To apply:
https://jobs.icr.ac.uk/vacancies/1059/postdoctoral-training-fellow--post-translational-modifications-and-cell-proliferation.html
PhD positions
• Kind of position: PhD position (4 years)
• Research topic: Understanding intracellular redox heterogeneity - www.kritsiligkou.com
• Institute/University: The University of Liverpool
• Deadline: 31 December 2024
• Contact information:
• Further information about the position: A PhD position (fully funded for UK students only) is available at the lab of Dr P. Kritsiligkou. Please contact them directly for more information on how to apply.
Remember that if there’s an open position in your lab for early career researchers and you would like to advertise it in our newsletter, just write us an email (
• Kind of position: (PhD student, Postdoc, etc)
• Research topic
• Institute/University
• Deadline
• Contact information
• Further information about the position (if any)