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The foresight workshop by will bring together 80 senior and junior scientists in September 2015 in France with the aim of developing a transdisciplinary approach to better understand and model silicification and silificiers. This workshop will cover various topics including: a biogeochemical/genomic approach for ecosystems modelling; silicifiers in open ocean ecosystems; isotope chemistry providing tools for processes and fluxes; silicifiers in coastal ecosystems/cycle of silica in coastal ecosystems; genomic/proteomic tools for silicifiers; and silicification processes and properties.
The objectives are to review the convergence of chemistry, biochemistry, physiology, biogeochemistry and genomics to better understand silicification processes and the role of silicifiers in marine ecosystems, and to organise an open dialogue between top-level senior scientists and early-stage researchers. This will offer senior scientists opportunities to discuss their ideas and early stage researchers a unique opportunity to improve their research skills. This event will allow for the creation of a global vision of these themes, strengthening the interdisciplinary nature of the International Silica group and building a niche to prepare new research proposals for national and European research agencies.