Prof. ZHAO Jindong (CAS member) gave an oral presentation at IHB. (Credit: IHB)

On December 12, 2024，the Institute of Hydrobiology (IHB), Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS), welcomed two distinguished professors for a series of academic exchanges. Prof. ZHAO Jindong (CAS member) from Peking University and IHB, and Prof. ZHENG Yanning from the Institute of Microbiology, CAS, presented their latest research in a session of IHB’s 2024 Innovation Lecture Series.

Zhao’s presentation, titled “Phycobilisome Energy Absorption, Transfer, and Regulation,” explored the mechanisms of energy transfer in photosynthetic microorganisms. His research highlighted the structural diversity of phycobiliproteins and their efficient energy transfer to Photosystem II, a process conserved across species. Zhao’s findings provide new insights into the physiological role of phycobilisomes and their evolutionary development.

In his presentation, “Environmental Signal Sensing by Photosynthetic Nitrogen-Fixing Bacteria and Methane Emissions,” ZHENG Yanning shared groundbreaking discoveries about nitrogenase regulation and methane biosynthesis. His team uncovered a novel pathway co-driven by nitrogen-fixing bacteria and methanogenic archaea, revealing new connections between photosynthesis, nitrogen fixation, and greenhouse gas emissions.

The event attracted researchers and students eager to engage with these leading experts in the fields of algal biology and microbial ecology.

ZHAO Jindong, a renowned expert in plant physiology and phycology, has made significant contributions to algal biology, particularly in signal transduction and gene expression during cyanobacterial cell differentiation. His work on phycobilisome energy absorption and its regulation has been foundational. Zhao has received numerous honors, including the National Natural Science Award (Second Prize), the Changjiang Scholar title, and the Ho Leung Ho Lee Foundation Science and Technology Progress Award.

ZHENG Yanning, a prominent researcher in microbial environmental adaptation and synthetic biology, has published extensively in top scientific journals. His research advances knowledge in sustainable agricultural practices and climate change mitigation.

Prof. ZHENG Yanning gave an oral presentation at IHB. (Credit: IHB)