Let’s start by talking about your research and career stage

After graduating in Chemical Sciences in 2017, I started a PhD program in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology at the University of Siena (Italy). During this period, I investigated the role of cellular senescence in the tumor microenvironment, defending my PhD thesis in 2021. I am currently a postdoc fellow in the laboratory of Professor Paola Chiarugi at the Department of Experimental and Clinical Biomedical Sciences “Mario Serio” of the University of Florence (Italy). My research project is sustained by a Fellowship from AIRC (AIRC Foundation for Cancer Research) and is focused on the study of the metabolic cross-talk between tumor cells and cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) in prostate carcinoma.

In the last few years, my research group has contributed to highlight that lactic acid, which is secreted by CAFs in the extracellular milieu, is not only a by-product of glycolysis but acts as a central-hub for energetic metabolism, epigenetic remodeling and immune cell responses within the tumor microenvironment. In particular, in prostate tumor cells exogenous lactic acid promotes an extensive reprogramming of oxidative and lipid metabolism, thereby sustaining the acquisition of invasive and metastatic traits. In this scenario, I am specifically interested in dissecting the role of stroma-secreted lactic acid in promoting the resistance to ferroptosis, a form of programmed cell death driven by iron-mediated phospholipid peroxidation at cell membranes. In addition, with my research project I will address the possibility of disrupting the lactic acid-mediated detrimental symbiosis between tumor and stromal cells, by targeting carbonic anhydrases, enzymes that ensure proton-coupled lactate transport across cell membranes.

You attended the 48th FEBS Congress. What are your thoughts and impressions about taking part in this event as an early-career researcher?

Given the specific focus of my team on the study of tumor biochemistry and cancer metabolism, attending the 48th FEBS Congress with all my lab mates was a great opportunity to present our research and to increase our knowledge on the latest advances in our area of interest. Concerning this latter point, the sessions “Cancer epigenome and transcriptome” and “Targeting metabolism in cancer” were really captivating.

I also think that this annual event is an extremely useful opportunity for early-career researchers. Indeed, the congress program covered all the wide spectrum of biochemistry, allowing participants to get out of their comfort zone and broaden their horizons on many different topics by listening to talks given by cutting-edge scientists in all these fields. Moreover, I found the keynote lectures by Nobel Prize winners really fascinating and inspiring, as well as very precious opportunities for young researchers in biochemistry. On the whole, I think that the environment created during the congress was really stimulating and productive.

What is the moment of the congress you enjoyed the most?

I believe that participating in the congress was a valuable chance to establish new networks and collaborations. The poster sessions were very positive and helpful moments for connecting with other researchers, and I should say that these sessions were the moments I enjoyed the most because they were really interactive. Indeed, although there was a very high number of posters and the area covered was broad, the distribution of poster sessions along many days of the congress according to different topics enabled time to chat with other young scientists and to learn new approaches and techniques. My colleagues and I had the opportunity to share our research in the form of poster presentations. Participating in the conference with a presentation on my current project allowed me to discuss my data with other researchers and to receive important suggestions for the future development of my research, from both a project design and a technical point of view.

You won the overall poster prize from the FEBS Press journal Molecular Oncology. What does this achievement mean for you and your research?

Last but not the least, I am really grateful to have won the Molecular Oncology overall poster prize. Receiving this award from the excellent FEBS Press is an extraordinary achievement for me. I am very pleased and proud to have received positive feedback on my results and to have my research internationally appreciated for its quality. Indeed, this award means a lot not only to me, but also to all the members of the lab who took part in this project, and we are honored that our work and commitment had been recognized. This for sure will further encourage me and my group to deepen our studies in this field of research.  

Top image of post: Molecular Oncology overall poster prize awarded at the 48th FEBS Congress, with Miguel A. De la Rosa, FEBS Secretary General (left), Elisa Pardella (awardee), and Johannes Buchner, FEBS Publications Committee Chair.