S4010 Science Communication Course
THE ESSENTIALS OF GIVING A GOOD (not only)
SCIENTIFIC TALK
Jan Hejátko
Research Group Leader
Brno, Apr 4 2025
Outline
2
 Why it is Important to Present Well?
 Structure
 Slides
 Passion
 Story
 Gesturing & Body Language
 Timing
 Frequent Problems S4010 Science Communication Course
Why it is Important to Present Well?
3
 VISIBILITY
Why it is Important to Present Well?
4
 VISIBILITY
 Pushing Your Own Concept Ahead
Outline
5
 Why it is Important to Present Well?
 Structure
S4010 Science Communication Course

reading the title of the
presentation
 repeating the intro done by
the chair
 no structure
+
 (Self)confident entrance to
the stage
 Hook
 Outline
Start Is the Key
6
Hook
7
 Use proper timing (pauses)
S4010 Science Communication Course
Ora et Labora
 Plants have CELLS,
 Plants have GENES,
 BOTH …
...were discovered in ….
…PLANTS!
Plants?
Jiri Friml
YES!
Outline
9
 Say what you want to say
 Outline
 Then say it
 Presenting the Results
 Finally, say what you just said
 Conclusions/Working model
S4010 Science Communication Course
Outline
10
Outline
Cytokinin-Ethylene Crosstalk in the Control of Root Growth 11
 Multiple Signal Integration via Multistep Phosphorelay
Signaling in Plants
 Cytokinins Control Root Growth via Regulating Ethylene
Biosynthesis
 Multistep Phosphorelay in Ethylene Signaling
Outline
Cytokinin-Ethylene Crosstalk in the Control of Root Growth 12
 Multiple Signal Integration via Multistep Phosphorelay
Signaling in Plants
Signal Transduction via Multistep
Phosphorelay
NUCLEUS
PM
AHK Sensor Histidine Kinases
• AHK2
• AHK3
• AHK4
REGULATION OF TRANSCRIPTION
INTERACTION WITH EFFECTOR PROTEINS
Response Regulators
• ARR1-24
HPt Proteins
• AHP1-6
What We Are Interested In?
NUCLEUS
PM
AHK Sensor Histidine Kinases
• AHK2
• AHK3
• AHK4
HPt Proteins
• AHP1-6
Response Regulators
• ARR1-24
Interaction with other Signaling Pathways
Structural Determinants of Signaling Specificity
Identification of MSP Targets
Outline
Cytokinin-Ethylene Crosstalk in the Control of Root Growth 15
 Multiple Signal Integration via Multistep Phosphorelay
Signaling in Plants
 Cytokinins Control Root Growth via Regulating Ethylene
Biosynthesis
Cytokinins Upregulate ACC Production
Specifically in the Root
Cytokinin-Ethylene Crosstalk in the Control of Root Growth 16
Zdarska et al., Plant Physiology (2013)
Cytokinins Tightly Control Ethylene
Biosynthesis
Cytokinin-Ethylene Crosstalk in the Control of Root Growth 17
Zdarska et al., Plant Physiology (2013)
METHIONINE
ADENOSYLTRANSFERASE 3
COBALAMIN-INDEPENDENT
METHIONINE SYNTHASE 1
ACC OXIDASE 2
Outline
Cytokinin-Ethylene Crosstalk in the Control of Root Growth 18
 Multiple Signal Integration via Multistep Phosphorelay
Signaling in Plants
 Cytokinins Control Root Growth via Regulating Ethylene
Biosynthesis
 Multistep Phosphorelay in Ethylene Signaling
Ethylene Controls Cell Differentiation via
Histidine Kinase Activity of ETR1
celldifferentiation/elongation
AHKs
AHPs
B-ARRs
CYTOKININS
ETR1
C2H4
?
Dello Ioio et al., Current Biology (2007)
- CK +CK
Zdarska, Cuyacot et al., Molecular Plant (2019)
CTR1
EIN2
EIN3/EIL1
Multistep Phosphorelay Integrates Both
Cytokinin and Ethylene Signaling
20
Zdarska, Cuyacot et al., Molecular Plant (2019)
Outline
21
 Structure your presentation
 Hook and Outline
 Slides
 Background
S4010 Science Communication Course
Signal Transduction via Multistep
Phosphorelay
NUCLEUS
PM
AHK Sensor Histidine Kinases
• AHK2
• AHK3
• AHK4
REGULATION OF TRANSCRIPTION
INTERACTION WITH EFFECTOR PROTEINS
Response Regulators
• ARR1-24
HPt Proteins
• AHP1-6

Signal Transduction via Multistep
Phosphorelay
NUCLEUS
PM
AHK Sensor Histidine Kinases
• AHK2
• AHK3
• AHK4
REGULATION OF TRANSCRIPTION
INTERACTION WITH EFFECTOR PROTEINS
Response Regulators
• ARR1-24
HPt Proteins
• AHP1-6
Signal Transduction via Multistep
Phosphorelay
NUCLEUS
PM
AHK Sensor Histidine Kinases
• AHK2
• AHK3
• AHK4
REGULATION OF TRANSCRIPTION
INTERACTION WITH EFFECTOR PROTEINS
Response Regulators
• ARR1-24
HPt Proteins
• AHP1-6
Signal Transduction via Multistep
Phosphorelay
NUCLEUS
PM
AHK Sensor Histidine Kinases
• AHK2
• AHK3
• AHK4
REGULATION OF TRANSCRIPTION
INTERACTION WITH EFFECTOR PROTEINS
Response Regulators
• ARR1-24
HPt Proteins
• AHP1-6
Complexity in Multistep Phosphorelay Signaling
AHK2
AHK3
AHK4
AHP1-6
CKI1
C2H4
ETR1
NUCLEUS
LIGHT
CONST.
ACTIVE
PHYA
S S
Dobisová et al., Plant Physiol
(2017)
Zdarska et al., Plant Physiol (2013)
CCA1 CKI1
PIF3
Zdarska, Cuyacot et al., Molecular
Plant (2019)
Hwang and Sheen , Nature (2001)
Hejátko et al., Plant Cell (2009)
Pekarova et al., Plant Journal (2011)
Otrusinova et al., J Biol Chem (2017)
WOX5
WUS
Pernisova et al., Development (2018)
kinetin
DR5:Venus
Pernisova et al., New Phytologist (2016)
CKI1 cki1-i
Hejátko et al., Mol Genet Genomics (2003)
Pischke et al., PNAS,(2002)
ETR1
C2H4
Complexity in Multistep Phosphorelay
Signaling
AHK2
AHK3
AHK4
AHP1-6
CKI1
C2H4
ETR1
NUCLEUS
LIGHT
CONST.
ACTIVE
PHYA
S S
Dobisová et al., Plant Physiol
(2017)
Zdarska et al., Plant Physiol (2013)
CCA1 CKI1
PIF3
Zdarska, Cuyacot et al., Molecular
Plant (2019)
Hwang and Sheen , Nature (2001)
Hejátko et al., Plant Cell (2009)
Pekarova et al., Plant Journal (2011)
Otrusinova et al., J Biol Chem (2017)
WOX5
WUS
Pernisova et al., Development (2018)
kinetin
DR5:Venus
Pernisova et al., New Phytologist (2016)
CKI1 cki1-i
Hejátko et al., Mol Genet Genomics (2003)
Pischke et al., PNAS,(2002)
ETR1
C2H4
Ethylene Activates Multistep
Phosphorelay in the Root
28
Mock BAP ACC BAP+ACC
TCSn:GFP/WT
Zdarska, Cuyacot et al., Molecular Plant (2019)
Mock BAP ACC BAP+ACC
TCSn:GFP/etr1-1
Ethylene Activates Multistep
Phosphorelay in the Root
29
Mock BAP ACC BAP+ACC
TCSn:GFP/WT
Zdarska, Cuyacot et al., Molecular Plant (2019)
Mock BAP ACC BAP+ACC
TCSn:GFP/etr1-1
Ethylene Activates Multistep
Phosphorelay in the Root
30
Mock BAP ACC BAP+ACC
pARR3::YPET-N7/WT
Mock BAP ACC BAP+ACC
pARR3::YPET-N7/etr1-1
Zdarska, Cuyacot et al., Molecular Plant (2019)
1.00e105
0,00
Intensitycenter
Outline
31
 Structure your presentation
 Hook and Outline
 Slides
 Background
 Pictures vs Text
S4010 Science Communication Course
32
 If ETR1 controls MSP, it should be able to interact via its
RD with AHPs
 We have tested the interaction of ETR1RD with AHPs and
using BiFC we have shown it interacts with AHP1,
AHP2, AHP3 and AHP5
 Finally, the interaction has been confirmed using Y2H
ETR1 Interacts with AHPs In Vivo
Cytokinin-Ethylene Crosstalk in the Control of Root Growth 33
 If ETR1 controls MSP, it should be able to interact via its
RD with AHPs
 We have tested the interaction of ETR1RD with AHPs and
using BiFC we have shown it interacts with AHP1,
AHP2, AHP3 and AHP5
 Finally, the interaction has been confirmed using Y2H
ETR1 Interacts with AHPs In Vivo
ETR1 Interacts with AHPs In Vivo
BiFC Y2H
Zdarska, Cuyacot et al., Molecular Plant (2019)
ETR1
AHPs
If ETR1 controls MSP,
it should be able to
interact via its RD with
AHPs
We have tested the interaction of ETR1RD with AHPs and
using BiFC we have shown it interacts with AHP1, AHP2,
AHP3 and AHP5
Finally, the interaction has been
confirmed using Y2H
ETR1 Interacts with AHPs In Vivo
ETR1
AHPs
BiFC
Y2H
Zdarska, Cuyacot et al., Molecular Plant (2019)
Outline
36
 Structure your presentation
 Hook and Outline
 Slides
 Background
 Pictures vs Text
 “Anchors”
S4010 Science Communication Course
Intro – Problem Definition
AHK2, AHK3, AHK4
AHP1-6
CKI1
NUCLEUS
CONST.
ACTIVE
CKI1
X ?
Result 1
Cytokinin-Ethylene Crosstalk in the Control of Root Growth 38
Result 2
Cytokinin-Ethylene Crosstalk in the Control of Root Growth 39
Conclusions - Working Model
AHK2, AHK3, AHK4
AHP1-6
CKI1
NUCLEUS
CONST.
ACTIVE
CKI1
X ?
ETR1
C2H4
Outline
41
 Structure your presentation
 Hook and Outline
 Slides
 Background
 Pictures vs Text
 “Anchors”
 Explanatory Schemes
S4010 Science Communication Course
ETR1
C2H4
AHK5
42
TCSn:GFP/ahk5-1
Does AHK5RD Mediates the ETR1Initiated
Phosphorelay In Planta?
AHK5
43
Yes, AHK5RD Mediates the ETR1Initiated
Phosphorelay In Planta!
TCSn:GFP/Col-0 TCSn:GFP/ahk5-1
Outline
44
 Structure your presentation
 Hook and Outline
 Slides
 Background
 Pictures vs Text
 “Anchors”
 Explanatory Schemes
 Scheme(s) as Conclusion(s)
S4010 Science Communication Course
CELL ELONGATION
distal
proximal
innerouter outer
earlydifferentiation/
elongationzone
transitionzone
proliferation
zone
CYTOKININS
ACS5/6/8
ACS5/7
ACO3
CELL DIVISION/DIFFERENTIATION
ACO4
ACS6/8/9/11
ACO2
ACS5/6/8
ARR1
ARR1
ACO3
ACO2
ARR2/
EIN2C
Yamouneetal.,bioRxiv,10.1101/2023.01.07.522790(2023)
Scheme(s) as “Conclusions”
Outline
46
 Structure your presentation
 Hook and Outline
 Slides
 Background
 Pictures vs Text
 Animations & Highlights
S4010 Science Communication Course
Signal Transduction via Multistep
Phosphorelay
NUCLEUS
PM
AHK Sensor Histidine Kinases
• AHK2
• AHK3
• AHK4
REGULATION OF TRANSCRIPTION
INTERACTION WITH EFFECTOR PROTEINS
Response Regulators
• ARR1-24
HPt Proteins
• AHP1-6
Complexity in Multistep Phosphorelay
Signaling
AHK2
AHK3
AHK4
AHP1-6
CKI1
C2H4
ETR1
NUCLEUS
LIGHT
CONST.
ACTIVE
PHYA
S S
Dobisová et al., Plant Physiol
(2017)
Zdarska et al., Plant Physiol (2013)
CCA1 CKI1
PIF3
Zdarska, Cuyacot et al., Molecular
Plant (2019)
Hwang and Sheen , Nature (2001)
Hejátko et al., Plant Cell (2009)
Pekarova et al., Plant Journal (2011)
Otrusinova et al., J Biol Chem (2017)
WOX5
WUS
Pernisova et al., Development (2018)
kinetin
DR5:Venus
Pernisova et al., New Phytologist (2016)
CKI1 cki1-i
Hejátko et al., Mol Genet Genomics (2003)
Pischke et al., PNAS,(2002)
ETR1
C2H4
CKI1 Regulates Female Gametophyte
Development
CKI1/CKI1CKI1/cki1-i
CKI1 cki1-i
Hejátko et al., Mol Genet Genomics (2003)
Pointer vs. Animation
50
CKI1 Regulates Female Gametophyte
Development
CKI1/CKI1CKI1/cki1-i
CKI1 cki1-i
Hejátko et al., Mol Genet Genomics (2003)
Outline
52
 Why it is Important to Present Well?
 Structure
 Slides
 Passion
S4010 Science Communication Course
Show Your Passion….
53
…but in Your Own Way!
54
55
…but in Your Own Way!
Outline
56
 Why it is Important to Present Well?
 Structure
 Slides
 Passion
 Story
S4010 Science Communication Course
STORY
57
 The ability to tell the
stories is evolutionary
fixed advantage
https://time.com/5043166/storytelling-evolution/
Story
58
59
AHP AHKRD
CYTOKININ
AHKRD-AHPs Structural Specificity
Determinants
60
Determination of AHP2 Structure
Degjarik et al., Acta Crystallographica Section F (2013)
Degjarik, Dopitová et al., in preparation
AHP2
2.5 Å
61
CKI1RD /AHP2 Interface
Degjarik, Dopitová et al., in preparation
62
NMR Measurement Confirms
Interaction of CKI1RD and AHP2
Degjarik, Dopitová et al., in preparation
63
Specificity of CKI1RD /AHP2 Interface
Degjarik, Dopitová et al., in preparation Bauer et al., Molecular Plant (2013)
CKI1RD
AHK5RDAHP1AHP2
64
CKI1RD /AHP2 Interface
Structural Specificity of CKI1 Signaling
Degjarik, Dopitová et al., in preparation
65
AHP1
AHP2
AHP3
AHP4
AHP5
AHP6
S I G A
S V G A
S V G A
S I G A
S V G A
S I G A
88 101
91 104
F R
F K
L K
F R
F K
F R
Q Q L Q Q L Q D E S N P D F V S Q V
T E L K K L Q D D G S P D F V S E V
T E L K K L Q D E C S P D F V A E V
M E L E E L Q D D A N P N N F V E E
S E L R K L Q D E G T P D F V A E V
L Q L Q Q L Q D E T S P N F V Y D V
AHP1
AHP2
AHP3
AHP4
AHP5
AHP6
29 31 32 36 37 38 44
31 33 34 38 39 40 46
Rewiring AHP1 into AHP2
α4 α5 AHP1-1: Q29E, Q31K, Q32K, Q44E
AHP1-2: Q29E, Q31K, Q32K, Q44E, I88V, R101K
α3α2
Leu-, TrpLeu-,
Trp-, AdeDegjarik,
Dopitová et al., in preparation
Leu-, Trp-, AdeLeu-,
Trp-
Outline
66
 Why it is Important to Present Well?
 Structure
 Slides
 Passion
 Story
 Gesturing & Body Language
S4010 Science Communication Course
…yes, there are certain cultural
differences ;-)
67
Gesturing & Body Language
68
Gesturing & Body Language
69
Outline
70
 Why it is Important to Present Well?
 Structure
 Slides
 Passion
 Story
 Gesturing & Body Language
 Timing
S4010 Science Communication Course
Outline
71
 Why it is Important to Present Well?
 Structure
 Slides
 Passion
 Story
 Gesturing & Body Language
 Timing
 Frequent Problems
S4010 Science Communication Course
Frequent Problems
72
 Absence of Structure
 Distracting Background
 Too Much of Text
 Overcomplicated Slides
 Absence of Passion
 No/Low Contact with Audience
 Speaking Too Fast
Summary
73
 Why it is Important to Present Well?
 Structure
 Slides
 Passion
 Story
 Gesturing & Body Language
 Timing
 Frequent Problems
S4010 Science Communication Course
Thank you for your attention
Central European Institute of Technology
Masaryk University
Kamenice 753/5
625 00 Brno, Czech Republic
www.ceitec.muni.cz | info@ceitec.muni.cz