Symposium on Chemical Ecology 2026
Past, Present and Future of Chemical Ecology
11. February 2026, University of Neuchâtel
Symposium on Chemical Ecology 2026
Past, Present and Future of Chemical Ecology
11. February 2026, University of Neuchâtel
Program
08.30
Opening of the registration desk. Welcome coffee
09.00
Welcome and symposium opening
David Spichiger, SCS Executive Director
Dr. Claudio Crepanti, Syngenta Crop Protection AG
09.10
Prof. Matthias Erb, University of Bern
«Swiss chemical ecology meeting: past, present and future»
09.20
Prof. Ted Turlings, University of Neuchâtel
«My life in chemical ecology»
10.00
Break and poster session
Session 1 - Chemical ecology of plant-herbivore interaction
Chair: Prof. Christelle Robert, Bern University
10.20
Prof. em. Ted Farmer, University of Lausanne
10.50
Baptiste Bovay, Université de Neuchâtel
«Climate-dependent trophic interactions restructure plant chemistry and ecosystem functioning»
11.05
Dr. Mitchel E. Bourne, University of Zurich
«Aphid parasitism alters induced plant responses allowing a hyperparasitoid to locate its hidden parasitoid host»
Session 2 - Molecular Mechanims
Chair: Prof. Matthias Erb, University of Bern
11.20
Prof. Philippe Reymond, University of Lausanne
«Insect egg-derived phospholipids trigger immune responses in Arabidopsis thaliana»
11.50
Dr. Hao Yu, University of Bern
«A novel uptake pathway allows plants to perceive volatiles with closed stomata»
12.05
Marina Garcia-Alonso, University of Bern
«Spatially resolved real-time volatile profiling reveals novel plant volatile release patterns in open headspace environments»
12.20
Lunch break and poster session
Session 3 - Evolutionary Biology
Chair: Prof. Sergio Rasmann, University of Neuchâtel
13.45
Prof. Florian Schiestl, University of Zurich
14.15
Dr. Emilio Guerrieri, Institute for Sustainable Plant Protection URT IPSP-DISIT
«Root exudome: the hidden world of plant communication»
14.30
Dr. Quint Rusman, University of Zürich
«Coevolution in a warming world: an experimental test of the geographic mosaic of coevolution»
Session 4 - Ecometabolomics
Chair: Dr. Emmanuel Defossez, University of Neuchâtel
14.45
Dr. Thomas Dussarrat, Universität Bielefeld
«Spatial and evolutionary drivers of phytochemical diversity»
15.15
15.30
Mazzarine Laboureau, Neuchâtel University
«Uncovering the Chemical Signature of Neuchâtel Absinthe Artemisia absinthium L.»
15.45
Short break
Session 5 - Agroecology
Chair: Dr. Ivan Hiltpold, Agroscope
16.00
Prof. Consuelo De Moraes, ETH Zurich
«Bumblebee Leaf-Damaging Behavior and Its Effects on Plant Flowering»
16.30
Jasmine Cadena i Canals, Agroscope
«Cultivar-Dependent Plant–Insect Interactions Explain Differential Incidence Of Flavescence Dorée In Swiss Vineyards»
16.45
Lea Bolis, University of Neuchâtel
«Interspecific plant interactions hamper host seeking efficiency of two important pests of oilseed rape»
17.00
Conclusive Remarks
Dr. Ivan Hiltpold & Dr. Claudio Screpanti
17.10
Apéro and networking