International Sponsored Places: Biomolecular Horizons 2024

Participating in the Biomolecular Horizons 2024 (BMH2024) was an amazing and transformative experience. My journey began with the Young Scientist Program (YSP), where I had the incredible opportunity to connect with scientists from all over the world. These interactions encouraged not only professional relationships but also meaningful connections across diverse cultures. The diversity present at the YSP 2024 was a highlight for me, as it demonstrated how science thrives when people from different backgrounds come together to share their ideas and expertise. Presenting my research on the role of syndecan-4 in the breast cancer tumor microenvironment allowed me to receive valuable feedback. I felt honored to contribute to a space that encourages research and promotes collaboration. Another highlight was attending the Career Development Forum, which provided me with a clearer understanding of where I am in my career, how far I have come, and what areas I should focus on to enhance my academic profile and future opportunities.

The conference program exceeded my expectations, with many fascinating talks and discussions. I found the sessions on gene editing and the presentations about cell, developmental, and stem cell biology particularly impactful. I was particularly moved by the session on Indigenous Perspectives in biomolecular science. As someone who belongs to a minority group, seeing Indigenous voices represented at such a high-impact event was deeply meaningful. One presentation that stood out was by an Indigenous speaker, who emphasized the need for research designed by and for their community. This kind of inclusion in scientific spaces is crucial, and I felt inspired to incorporate more community-focused approaches in my work. Another unforgettable moment was hearing a Nobel Prize winner speak about their scientific journey. Their talk was not just an account of their work but also a reflection on the challenges and triumphs of being a scientist. Listening to someone who has reached the pinnacle of scientific achievement was incredibly motivating and reaffirmed the importance of persistence and passion in research. The social events were another delightful aspect of the conference. Coming from a small city in Brazil (Teresina, Piaui), I could hardly believe that I was at a social gathering with a Nobel laureate. It was a powerful reminder of how far I have come in my journey, and it filled me with gratitude and inspiration.

Overall, Biomolecular Horizons 2024 was a pivotal moment in my academic career. From the diverse discussions to the inspiring talks, every aspect of the conference contributed to my growth as a scientist. Witnessing how diversity and inclusion are celebrated in science was inspiring and reaffirmed the idea that innovation flourishes when diverse perspectives come together. I am very grateful to the Biochemical Society for allowing me to take part in this conference and live this experience. Finally, I had like to highlight the incredible feeling of seeing a koala and a kangaroo for the first time, an unforgettable “Welcome to Australia” moment!

Attending Biomolecular Horizons gave me crucial insights into cutting-edge technologies and new perspectives on my research. The conference highlighted some of the most exciting unpublished developments and provided an unparalleled opportunity for learning and collaboration.

I am currently a postdoctoral researcher in Philip Cohen’s lab at the University of Dundee, where my work has focused on ALPK1, an atypical protein kinase activated by bacterial ADP-heptose. Particular mutations in ALPK1 are linked to ROSAH syndrome, a genetic disorder that causes blindness, and spiradenocarcinoma, a rare and often fatal cancer. I discovered that these disease-causing ALPK1 mutants can be activated by human metabolites, triggering chronic inflammatory signalling and marking the first known example of an enzyme losing specificity for its allosteric effector in disease.

Presenting my findings during the Young Scientist Program and through a poster at Biomolecular Horizons was a rewarding experience. Engaging with fellow early career researchers offered invaluable feedback, and I enjoyed the opportunity to discuss my research with a broader audience. It was particularly inspiring to interact with scientists from fields I would not typically encounter at specialised biochemical meetings, such as those working in gene therapy, which sparked ideas on how CRISPR base-editing could be applied to cure disease. The conference also broadened my perspective on emerging spatial transcriptomic and proteomic technologies, which I now recognize as powerful tools for my own research. These methods can help to unravel complex cellular environments and disease mechanisms and may therefore provide new insights into ROSAH syndrome.

Networking was another highlight. The Young Scientist Program provided an excellent platform to form connections with early career researchers from around the world. This expanded my network and opened the door to future collaborations, which will be crucial as I move forward in my research.

The biomolecular sciences are advancing at an incredible pace, with breakthroughs like CRISPR base-editing set to revolutionize healthcare. Tools that can predict the structure of proteins are also pushing the boundaries of what is possible. In this fast-moving landscape, collaboration and knowledge sharing are more important than ever. Overall, Biomolecular Horizons was an inspiring experience, leaving me with new ideas and opportunities that will shape my work for years to come.

International Sponsored Places are available to support Biochemical Society members attend conferences with our international partner societies. Find out more about upcoming opportunities onour website.■