Abstracts

From the beginning of my studies in 1981 to the last expedition accomplished in January 2024, I was fascinated by bioluminescence in the marine realm. My research career started in Prof. Baguet's animal physiology laboratory at the Catholic University of Louvain, investigating isolated luminous organs of bony fishes for my master's and my Ph.D. thesis. After a post-doc stay at the University of Montreal in Canada (Prof. M. Anctil Laboratory), where I learned immunolabelling and neuronal release of tracers in midshipman fish, I launched a research program to study the possible conservation of bioluminescence control mechanisms through the evolution. Luminous Ophiuroidea (Echinodermata) represented the first step. Later came various bony and cartilaginous fishes, followed by many other taxa representatives. Multidisciplinary approaches, exploring physiology, morphology, ethology, biochemistry, and molecular biology, allowed me to integrate the control of bioluminescence into the morphological structures, biochemical compounds, and functionality of the light produced by various marine organisms. Among the various luminous species from other phyla studied, one cites (i) pelagic worms from the genus Tomopteris; (ii) the krill, Meganictiphanes norvegica; (iii) the jellyfish Periphylla periphylla from Norwegian fjords; (iv) octocorals from the Mediterranean and deep-sea; (v) abyssal arthropod; (vi) deep-sea echinoderm’s representatives of Crinoidea, Holothuroidea and Asteroidea. Key results will be presented, followed by an open discussion. I strongly believe that science thrives on collaboration rather than competition. It's crucial to learn effective communication with experts who can help you achieve a bright future. Always look at the bright side of life. Always look at the light side of life. It is hard to list all the national and international collaborations that made this journey possible for one lucky marine biologist. Huge thanks to all the heads and members of the numerous laboratories and marine stations I visited in Australia, Canada, France, Italy, Japan, New Zealand, Norway, Sweden, Taiwan, the UK, USA. An exceptional thanks to the chief scientists and skillful crews of RV Marion Dufresne (Dr. Y Cherel, CNRS - Kerguelen plateau), RV Southern Explorer (Dr. A. Williams, CSIRO - Perth Canyon), and RV Investigator (Dr. T. O' Hara, Victoria Museum - East coasts of Australia) that provided access to deep-sea and abyssal fauna. Fundings from numerous foundations represented great support to me, I am deeply embedded for this to the FNRS (Fonds National de la Recherche Scientifique) Belgium. JM is a research associate at FNRS.