24 April 2025 – More than 100 scientists and thought leaders from cell biology and related fields, science policy and funding agencies, came together at the EMBO Workshop Integrating cell and planetary scales to address climate resilience, which took place in Lisbon, Portugal, and virtually from 13-16 April 2025. The workshop served as a collaborative forum to develop intellectual and strategic frameworks to link cell biologists to the global challenges of climate change and possible solutions.
The inspiring keynote session featured EMBO Member Jeremy Farrar of the World Health Organization, Switzerland, and Pamela Silver of Harvard Medical School, USA, who offered unique perspectives and set the tone for the workshop. Farrar addressed fundamental questions in climate change, and Silver explored ways to integrate cell biology with climate change resilience.
The scientific presentations and poster sessions covered the intersections of climate science with cell, plant and marine biology, biomedical science and engineering. They were followed by a round table with science funders and lively discussion groups. On the final day, the groups presented their analyses and sought feedback. A roadmap for future collaborations and a white paper, the planned major outcome of the workshop, was presented in the closing remarks.
The organizer of the workshop, EMBO Member Mónica Bettencourt-Dias, comments: “What molecular mechanisms drive adaptations to environmental stressors? Can biology inspire new solutions for the challenges we face? This workshop brought together scientists with funders and communicators who recognize both the scientific richness and societal urgency of this work. I hope more researchers will join us in exploring this fascinating biology!”
The workshop was organized by Mónica Bettencourt-Dias of the Gulbenkian Institute for Molecular Medicine, Portugal; EMBO Young Investigator Gautam Dey of EMBL Heidelberg, Germany; Amy Gladfelter of Duke University, USA; and Samara Reck-Peterson of University of California San Diego, USA. Several EMBO Members and Young Investigators were among the presenters and participants. By fostering new interdisciplinary conversations, the workshop highlighted the critical role of the (life) sciences community for advancing climate resilience.
