Biochemical Society support in action: experiences from our community

I recently attended the ASPET 2024 conference held in Arlington, Virginia, from 16 to 19 May 2024. The conference was an opportunity to immerse myself in the latest advancements and research in the field of pharmacology. One of the highlights for me was the series of interesting talks, particularly the symposiums focused on behavioural pharmacology, purine signalling and organelles as key regulation sites in health and disease. These sessions provided valuable insights and sparked new ideas for my research.

The poster sessions were equally enriching, featuring a variety of presentations related to my area of interest. I found these sessions to be informative, as they showcased a wide range of studies and findings that are directly relevant to my work. Engaging with other researchers during these sessions allowed me to exchange ideas and understand the current trends and challenges in our field.

A significant aspect of the conference was the opportunity to make new contacts in the field of sigma-1 receptor research. I connected with several researchers who are exploring innovative approaches and potential collaborations. These interactions have opened up exciting possibilities for future research endeavours, and I am eager to follow-up on these potential opportunities to collaborate internationally.

In addition to the professional benefits, the conference provided a wonderful chance to reconnect with old friends from various laboratories around the world. It was heartening to catch up with colleagues, some of whom I had not seen in over 20 years. These reunions were a reminder of the enduring relationships and shared experiences that have shaped my career in pharmacology.

Overall, the ASPET 2024 conference was a highly rewarding experience, offering a perfect blend of cutting-edge scientific discussions and meaningful personal connections. I look forward to building on the knowledge and relationships gained during this event in my future research endeavours.

I had the pleasure to attend the annual congress of the European Association for Cancer Research (EACR 2024) between 10 and 13 June 2o24 in beautiful Rotterdam, the Netherlands. This annual congress aims to bring together the cancer research community highlighting the latest research to inspire innovation and build connections, networking and collaborations.

I have been very fortunate to have been awarded this travel grant since I had the chance to follow from the very first day a dynamic scientific programme and meet renowned keynote speakers and pioneers in cancer research. This congress gave me the opportunity to attend high quality talks with great networking opportunities. More specifically, some of the highlighted symposium sections: “Drug Resistance” and “Cell-based therapies” have been very informative and important for me, to take one step further my knowledge.

In addition to attending such an interesting international cancer congress, I have also been given the opportunity to present our research on “Targeting alpha-synuclein to improve melanoma treatments” on day 2. During this poster presentation, I was able to interact with various researchers who provided invaluable feedback and comments and discuss for novel collaborations.

Overall, attending the EACR Congress, helped me build new knowledge, networking and share our findings, as well as equipped me with updates over the most innovative cancer research approaches. Therefore, the support of the Biochemical Society travel grant has proved vital in the further development of my academic career. I would like to thank the Biochemical Society for assisting and allowing me to attend the meeting in person through this General Travel Grant.

Glycosylation is intimately intertwined with trafficking through the secretory pathway. The aim of this conference was to bring together the glycobiology and secretory pathway communities, to enhance cross-discipline understanding and foster collaborations. I work within the glycobiology field, aiming to dissect the mechanics of how a class of proteins called mucins mature as they traffic through the Golgi apparatus. Whilst this work lies predominantly within the realm of glycobiology, an understanding of how mucins traffic through the secretory pathway is of crucial importance to gain a full picture of the problem I’m investigating. I was therefore delighted to be accepted to this conference, and to obtain a generous grant from the Biochemical Society which enabled my attendance.

Over the course of four days, I enjoyed talks from a broad array of speakers. Much of the research discussed provided potential solutions to problems I have encountered in my project. Stacy Malaker (Yale University, USA), who is a pioneer in the field of characterising glycoproteins by mass spectrometry, discussed new workflows for mucin characterisation which were of great relevance to my work. Franck Perez (Institut Curie, France) introduced a novel approach to synchronise protein trafficking through the secretory pathway, which piqued my interest also.

Alongside listening to insightful talks from leading scientists, this conference presented an excellent opportunity to reach out to fellow researchers to share my own work and foster collaborations. Through poster presentation sessions, I was fortunate enough to engage in many fruitful discussions with researchers, both from areas close to my own and some from distant fields. Some of these discussions are continuing after the conference, and I hope they will yield interesting new research directions. Overall, this conference was hugely enjoyable, and I look forward to seeing where doors opened over its course will take me!

I recently had the incredible opportunity to visit Naresuan University in Phitsanulok, Thailand, thanks to the generous funding from the Biochemical Society’s Lab Visit Grant. This trip was an invaluable experience that allowed me to meet with my collaborator, Dr Jirapas Jongjitwimol, in person, with whom I have been working on investigating the antimicrobial properties of hydroquinine. Our previous work has yielded promising results, as detailed in our publications. This visit has paved the way for further collaborative research projects and future grant applications.

During my visit to Naresuan University, I had the privilege of presenting my research to the Department of Allied Health Sciences on the molecular basis of adverse drug reactions to fluoroquinolones, specifically focusing on the role of mitochondria. This presentation sparked meaningful discussions and opened new avenues for collaboration between the University of Portsmouth and Naresuan University. Alongside a tour of the university, I was honoured to Chair thesis defence examinations for two Naresuan University PhD students, witnessing their success as they advanced to the next phases of their careers.

The hospitality of my hosts was exceptional, showcasing not only the academic excellence but also the cultural richness of Thailand. They arranged tours of Phitsanulok and Sukhothai, with a highlight being the breathtaking visit to Wat Pha Sorn Kaew. The beauty and splendour of these locations left a lasting impression on me.

I extend my heartfelt gratitude to the Biochemical Society for making this trip possible and to my collaborators at Naresuan University for hosting. The Lab Visit Grant has significantly contributed to the progress of our research and the strengthening of international collaborations. This experience has been both professionally rewarding and personally enriching, and I look forward to the continued partnership and exciting developments that lie ahead.

I have recently had the opportunity granted by the Biochemical Society to visit the EXPPECT Endometriosis research group at the Institute of Regeneration and Repair in the University of Edinburgh. The goal of this visit was to foster new collaboration and networking opportunities within the field of endometriosis research.

I am transitioning to becoming a principal investigator in the field of immunology (specifically immunometabolism) and branching out from my PhD background in pregnancy, to reproductive disorders such as endometriosis. This opportunity allowed me to meet with the leading researchers in the broader field, with multidisciplinary researchers. This included molecular and reproductive biologists, immunologists, and clinicians, with a breadth of expertise.

The visit yielded promising outcomes in terms of establishing collaborative networks. Exchange of ideas and methodologies sparked new perspectives and potential avenues for joint research projects. Collaborative efforts were envisioned, aiming to integrate diverse approaches to tackle the multifaceted challenges posed by endometriosis. This also includes sharing of sample materials. Additionally, the visit fostered personal connections, laying the foundation for long-term partnerships built on mutual respect and shared goals.

In particular, I am applying for the Academy of Medical Sciences Springboard grant this year, and will be utilising these new relationships from a mentoring, collaboration, and resource sharing perspective.

With the financial support of the Biochemical Society, Dechencholing Higher Secondary School, Bhutan, started an initiative called "Diversity through STEAM: Igniting Creativity, Innovation, and Experimentation." By incorporating Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics (STEAM), this project gives students the opportunity for hands-on, experimental learning while also promoting creativity and inventive thinking.

By encouraging involvement from female students from a variety of backgrounds and guaranteeing equitable access to STEAM education, this project was primarily aimed at advancing diversity and inclusion. Its second goal was to promote innovation and creativity by fusing artistic and scientific methods of problem solving and integrating theoretical information with real-world, hands-on activities. Last but not least, the curriculum also aimed to promote career exploration by discussing potential job possibilities in STEAM subjects.

In order to meet these goals, art and scientific students were invited to work together on collaborative projects. Students, for instance, produced works of visual art that drew inspiration from scientific ideas like the structure of DNA or photosynthesis. In addition to encouraging creativity, this fusion of art and science made scientific concepts easier for pupils to comprehend. Students were then given the opportunity to exhibit their work at competition events, and their submissions were evaluated based on originality, ingenuity, and scientific rigor. This gave them the opportunity to refine their ideas with the valuable input of experts and peers. Furthermore, classes on Creative Coding were held, providing students with a variety of coding abilities ranging from basic to advanced which greatly aided the pupils’ development of technical proficiency.

Through the promotion of diversity and inclusivity, the cultivation of creativity, and the provision of experiential learning opportunities, this program has effectively sparked students’ interest in STEAM. This is demonstrated by the rise in student participation and engagement, particularly among female students and those from economically disadvantaged families. Over the course of the program, students showed a noticeable improvement in their technical, problem-solving, and critical thinking abilities as well as producing a number of unique creative projects. Notable examples include the creation of biodegradable plastic from organic waste found in the area, an app that helps farmers adjust irrigation based on soil moisture levels, and recycled materials art installations that illustrated scientific phenomena.

It will take continued funding, teacher professional development, and creative curriculum design strategies to make sure all children have the chance to succeed in STEAM professions. However, through forming long-term alliances with institutions such as the Biochemical Society, we hope that Dechencholing Higher Secondary School can maintain its position as a leader in STEAM education, preparing students for future vocations and making a positive impact on a more inclusive and diverse scientific community, by building on the program’s strengths and tackling its obstacles.