The Bio-Art Image Contest: “The beauty behind biological sciences” was one of the FEBS 60th anniversary celebrations at the 48th FEBS Congress. It invited congress attendees and members of FEBS Constituent Societies to submit photographs taken with the use of bio-imaging tools during their scientific work.

I am very happy to have won the first prize of this Bio-Art Image Contest and would like to thank the contest organizers – FEBS, the Polish Biochemical Society, and the Italian Society of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology – for the opportunity to show a beautiful aspect of science. I would also like to thank all the attendees who voted for me and allowed me to win the first prize. I hope this initiative will be repeated more often, as it is an excellent strategy to motivate young researchers to show their most creative side within science.

For the Bio-Art image Contest, I chose a confocal microscopy image titled “Yin & Yang in breast cancer mammospheres”. It shows MCF7 breast cancer cells forming a mammosphere. Our research team has demonstrated that the tumor suppressor SET9 plays a crucial role in the formation and differentiation of mammospheres in MCF7 breast cancer cells. Our studies show that the loss of SET9 activity represents a molecular link between epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) and the generation of cells with stem cell-like properties. In my image, we can observe that SET9 in MCF7 cells increases the ability to form mammospheres, as evidenced by a high expression of the epithelial marker E-cadherin (in red) and a low expression of SOX2 (in green). The nuclei of the cells were stained in blue. However, in other experiments where we silenced SET9, these mammospheres undergo EMT transformation in just four days without the need for additional cell reseeding or stem cell-inducing growth factors.

Therefore, similar to the Yin & Yang principle, which symbolizes two opposing, complementary, and interconnected forces, we observed that MCF7 breast cancer cells can switch from a differentiated to an invasive phenotype through an epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT). This cellular balance reflects a dynamic relationship in breast cancer.

At the Congress and the YSF

I must say that my experience at the 48th FEBS Congress in Milan was wonderful. Fortunately, I was also selected to participate in the 23rd FEBS Young Scientists' Forum (YSF 2024) in Pavia, Italy. I found both events to be very well organized, including many fun activities, as well as very useful ones for early-career researchers. From short talks to give a quick overview of our poster results, to 15-minute talks where we could explain our lab work in more detail, these events promoted the exchange of information among young researchers and provided interesting networking opportunities for future collaborations. In addition, there were several mentoring and group activities in a more relaxed environment that facilitated interaction among young researchers, and between them and more experienced researchers. Indeed, many of the best ideas for future experiments and collaborations were generated during the coffee breaks.

Therefore, I would definitely encourage all young researchers to attend the FEBS Congress, as it is an ideal opportunity to learn and expand your network. I am already thinking about the next one so... see you at the 49th FEBS Congress in Istanbul, Türkiye!

About me and my work

In February of this year, I finished my PhD in Biochemistry at the University of Murcia (2020–2024, Spain). Before obtaining my PhD, I completed my degree in Biochemistry in 2018 and my Master's in Molecular Biology and Biotechnology in 2019, both at the University of Murcia. During my PhD, I focused on studying the molecular processes associated with metabolism, control of protein methylation, and antitumor immune response to develop efficient therapeutic strategies against various types of cancer, such as melanoma, breast, and pancreatic cancer. Currently, I am waiting for funding to do my postdoc abroad.

Top photo of the Bio-Art Image Contest awarded at the 48th FEBS Congress, with Loredano Pollegioni, Italian Society of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology (left), Román Martí Díaz (awardee), and Piotr Laidler, Polish Biochemical Society.