Invitation to Participate in Workshop on Mercury Demethylation and Database Development (18–21 Nov 2025)
Mersor cium
Dear MERSORCIUM community,
We are pleased to invite you to participate in an upcoming interdisciplinary workshop focused on advancing our understanding of mercury (Hg) cycling in the environment, with particular emphasis on methylmercury (MeHg) demethylation and the development of a consensus merAB gene database.
Workshop Title: Unmasking
mercury detoxifiers: Building a consensus database for merAB genes
detection
Dates: 18–21 November 2025
Location: Department of Ecology and Environmental Science, Umeä Univerity, Umeä, Sweden
Mercury (Hg) is a globally recognized environmental pollutant with profound impacts on ecosystems and public health. While regulatory efforts such as the Minamata Convention and the EU’s Global Mercury Observation System have contributed to reducing Hg emissions, biological and environmental processes influencing MeHg levels, one of the most toxic Hg forms which bioaccumulated and biomagnifies in aquatic food webs, remain inadequately understood—especially regarding its microbial degradation.
MeHg is produced by microorganisms carrying the hgcAB genes, while its degradation is mediated by bacteria with merA and merB genes from the mer operon. While a consensus database exists for detecting hgcAB genes (Capo et al 2023), no such resource is available for identifying merAB genes yet, limiting our ability to understand and model the full Hg biogeochemical cycle.
The aim of this workshop is to bring together early-career scientists and established experts to collaboratively create a consensus database for identifying merAB genes, which are key in MeHg degradation. Together, we aim to initiate the creation of this much-needed resource and strengthen our collective capacity to model and mitigate mercury’s environmental and health impacts.
Program Highlights:
Day 1 – November 18th (Optional day)
- Hands-on training on the marky-coco pipeline (led by Eric Capo and Nicola Gambardella)
- Introduction to merAB gene verification methods (led by Isabel Sanz-Sáez)
Day 2 – November 19th
- Keynote speaker presentation
- Flash presentations from participants on MeHg demethylation and Hg reduction research questions
- Collaborative bioinformatics session on database development
Day 3 – November 20th
- Working groups focused on key challenges and strategies in the merAB database design
- Group presentations and feedback on initial outputs
Day 4 – November 21st
- Drafting sections of a joint manuscript to outline the vision and methodology of the new merAB database
We especially encourage participation from both young researchers looking to develop expertise in mercury biogeochemistry and bioinformatics and more experienced scientists whose insights can shape a robust and impactful community resource.
If you are interested in joining, please confirm your participation by filling the following form by 12th of September: https://forms.gle/G7fy5uDcbiLLF3YV7
Further logistical details will follow upon confirmation.
Should you have any questions or suggestions, do not hesitate to get in touch with us through isabe...@umu.se.
We look forward to your contribution to this exciting and collaborative workshop!
Warm regards from the organizing commitee,
Dr. Eric Capo, Umeä Univerity, Sweden
Dr. Nicola Gambardella, CIIMAR, Porto, Portugal
Dr. Isabel Sanz-Sáez, Umeä Univerity, Sweden
Mersor cium
We look forward to your contribution to this exciting and collaborative workshop! Please feel free to distribute this email to colleagues that could be interested.
Warm regards from the organizing committee,
Dr. Eric Capo, Umeä University, Sweden
Nicola Gambardella, CIIMAR, Porto, Portugal
Mersor cium
Do you want to participate in an exciting interdisciplinary workshop where we want to create a consensus database for the detection of merAB genes?
This is a kind reminder that you still have time to enrol :)
Unmasking mercury detoxifiers: Building a consensus database for merAB genes detection
📅 18–21 November 2025
📍 Department of Ecology and Environmental Science, Umeå University, Sweden
The workshop will bring together early-career and experienced researchers to collaboratively develop a consensus database for merAB genes, strengthen our understanding of methylmercury degradation, and foster new collaborations.
🔗 If you haven’t already, please confirm your participation by filling out the form by 12 September 2025: Registration Form
If you want to know more please see our Github repository: https://github.com/Nik3939/UMD-Unmasking-Mercury-Detoxifiers
We would be delighted to have you join us, and we encourage you to share this invitation with colleagues who might be interested.
For any questions, feel free to contact us at isabe...@umu.se.
Looking forward to an exciting and productive workshop together!
Warm regards,
The Organizing Committee
Dr. Eric Capo – Umeå University, Sweden
Nicola Gambardella – CIIMAR, Porto, Portugal
Dr. Isabel Sanz-Sáez – Umeå University, Sweden