Initiatives

As a member, the Zurich–Basel Plant Science Center aims to support the objectives of Swiss Plant Phenotyping Network (SPPN) by contributing to training, networking, and scientific exchange within the plant science community. While PSC does not conduct research itself, it facilitates interdisciplinary dialogue and skills development across topics aligned with SPPN’s scope, ranging from fundamental plant biology to applied research in crops, and spanning phenotyping approaches from controlled environments to field and landscape scales. Through our programmes and collaborative activities, PSC seeks to strengthen connections between early-career researchers and the broader phenotyping community in Switzerland and beyond.  

In 2025, PSC organsied PhD Exchange Mini-Symposium connecting early-career researchers in Plant Phenotyping.

Swiss Society of Plant Biology (SSPB) is the national representative body for plant sciences within the Swiss Academy of Sciences (SCNAT). SSPB is coordinated by Dr. Luisa Last (PSC) and co-chaired by Prof. Cyril Zipfel (UZH) and Prof. Kirsten Bomblies (ETHZ). The Swiss Society of Plant Biology (SSPB) plays a central role in strengthening Switzerland’s plant science community by connecting researchers across all areas of the field and fostering scientific cooperation in Switzerland. Through the organization of scientific events and the promotion of professional exchange among its members, the SSPB creates an active platform for sharing knowledge and ideas. A key event organised by the society is the annual SwissPLANT conference. The Society is also committed to supporting early-career plant scientists (e.g. through the Early Career Meeting SwissPLANT), engaging with the public, and representing plant science in matters of societal relevance. By issuing statements on topics of public interest and providing science-based policy advice, the SSPB ensures that plant biology remains visible, connected, and impactful across research, education, and society. With around 100 members, the Swiss Society of Plant Biology is a member society of the Swiss Academies of Sciences (SCNAT) and its Platform Biology. 

The European Plant Science Organisation (EPSO) is an independent academic organization that represents more than 200 research institutes, departments, and universities from 31 countries. EPSO’s mission is to improve the impact and visibility of plant science in Europe. Learn more about EPSO and why plants matter. PSC has been an institutional member of EPSO since its foundation in 2000. PSC members are part working groups. www.epsoweb.organd engage in writing position papers on emerging research topics and amendments to the European Commission’s proposals for the 10th EU Framework Programme for Research and Innovation (FP10).