PE&RC Day 2025

Life in the extremes: lessons on survival

Life can be found in the most extreme environments, from frozen polar ice caps, to bone-dry and hot environments, to acidic places and the deep sea. In order to survive these harsh environments, life has evolved to create a staggering variety of extreme forms and functions. Moreover, the length of life also knows clear extremes, ranging from the tiny mayfly that lives only hours to gigantic 5000-year-old bristlecone pines. Scientists have long been studying how and why these extreme forms of life exist. This has gained increasing interest and attention given that global change, climate in particular, is pushing life into the extremes in many areas on earth.

This year’s PE&RC day focuses on life in the extremes, looking at the mechanisms through which life can cope in the harsh, extreme environments. Accordingly, we discuss how this knowledge and insight can contribute to sustainable life on earth, given the increased occurrence of extreme events, as well as how we can maintain sustainable life in the ultimate harsh environment: space. Field-renowned speakers, directly or indirectly involved with extreme life-science will share their hands-on experiences and work and will give insight into how their science contributes to our daily life and the quest for a sustainable future. We finalise the programme of extreme life with a panel discussion between speakers and the audience.

During the day, time will also be spent on reporting of the PE&RC Institutional Collaboration Grant 2024. Moreover, we will have pitches of the Institutional Collaboration Call 2025 and the PE&RC Picture Awards (also see below).

The annual PE&RC Day is organised by the PE&RC PhD Council (PPC), with the assistance of the PE&RC Office. More details about the PPC can be found here.