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TRANSITIONS ............... 52 GOING GREEN – WHAT DOES A SUSTAINABLE LAB LOOK LIKE ..................... 54

As researchers and plant enthusiasts, we tend to think of the various forms of abiotic stress that can affect plants, such as cold or heat, drought and nutrient imbalances. However, in recent years, more attention has been given to the concept of light stress and its impact on plant health.

When plants are exposed to excessive light, they can generate reactive oxidation species (ROS) that can harm the function of photosystems. This can disrupt the process of photochemistry, which is crucial for the plant’s survival. While light stress can damage plants at the cellular level, it can also accumulate to affect productivity at the whole plant level.

As we delve deeper into the study of light stress, it’s essential to understand its impact on animals, cells and plants. In animal studies, light stress has been linked to the development of various diseases, including cancer, as well as disruptions in sleep patterns. Research has shown that exposure to excessive light can damage the retina and impair vision, leading to blindness in severe cases.

In cellular studies, researchers have discovered that light stress can have significant impacts on cellular metabolism, leading to changes in gene expression and the activation of stress-related signalling pathways. These changes can ultimately affect cellular health and lead to diseases such as cancer.

In plant studies, researchers have focused on understanding how plants dissipate excessive energy and mitigate the effects of light stress. Studies have shown that plants have a remarkable ability to dissipate excess energy through mechanisms such as non-photochemical quenching (NPQ) and the xanthophyll cycle. These mechanisms help plants to protect their photosystems from the harmful effects of ROS and maintain efficient photosynthesis.

While we tend to focus on other forms of abiotic stress, light stress is an essential area of research that is gaining increasing attention. Understanding the impacts of light stress within the three main sections of animal, cell and plant studies will allow us to develop strategies to mitigate its effects and promote better health and productivity.

Here is a glimpse of what we can have in store in this issue of the SEB Magazine...