The Stomata | 46th New Phytologist Symposium, hosted by the New Phytologist and others, was convened at HENU from October 21st to 24th.

Distinguished experts including Academician Yang Weicai from the Chinese Academy of Sciences, Alistair Hetherington, Editor-in-Chief of New Phytologist and Professor of the University of Bristol, Dominique Bergmann, a Member of the National Academy of Sciences, United States, Professor Michael Blatt from the University of Glasgow, Professor Tracy Lawson from the University of Essex, Professor Jörg Kudla from the University of Münster, Gong Zhizhong, a National Distinguished Young Scholar and Professor of China Agricultural University, Xiong Lizhong, a National Distinguished Young Scholar and Professor of Huazhong Agricultural University, Hou Suiwen, a National talent and Professor of Lanzhou University, and Song Chunpeng, leader of the Biology Discipline of HENU, attended the conference. Additionally, over 300 scholars, experts and graduate students from more than ten countries, including members of the editorial board of New Phytologist, participated in the event.

The opening ceremony was presided over by Professor Zhang Lixin, the Vice President for Academic Affairs of HENU. Professor Miao Yuchen delivered a welcome speech, introduced the history and current status of Henan University, and reviewed the development of the biology in HENU. Subsequently, Professor Song Chunpeng, the leader of the Biology Discipline of HENU, extended a warm welcome to all experts, representatives, faculty, and students attending the conference. He expressed gratitude for the support from New Phytologist journal. Moreover, he reviewed and provided an outlook on the research in the field of stomatal biology conducted by HENU’s Biology Discipline. He expressed the hope that this conference would serve as a platform for exchange and collaboration in related researches. Finally, Professor Alistair M. Hetherington, the Editor-in-Chief of New Phytologist, introduced the current state of research in stomatal biology and encouraged participants to engage in in-depth academic exchanges.

The conference, themed “Stomatal Biology”, attracted top scholars, domestic and international experts, graduate students, and corporate representatives in related research fields. Dominique Bergmann, a Member of the National Academy of Sciences, United States, and Professor of Stanford University, delivered a keynote speech titled Learning from the Past and Anticipating the Future in Stomatal Development. Professor Song Chunpeng of HENU presented an academic report titled How do Stomata fell the High-temperature Signal in Arabidopsis, introducing the latest research progress of his team to experts from both China and abroad. During the conference, 52 experts from 10 countries shared their research findings, and 68 participants showcased their research progress through poster presentations. The representatives collectively discussed the latest research advances in stomatal development and evolution, stomatal function and regulation, and looked forward to future directions of stomatal biology.

Founded in 1902, New Phytologist is one of the earliest international academic journals in the field of plant science, primarily publishing original research findings in botany. Since 1995, the journal has hosted 1 to 2 international academic seminars annually on different themes, with a total of 45 sessions successfully held to date, becoming a platform with significant international influence for academic exchange.

This conference, held at HENU, has not only advanced collaboration between HENU and global research institutions, but also highlighted HENU’s international impact in the field of stomata biology. Meanwhile, it will also propel the development of HENU’s biology discipline.