'FEBS Communications' posts general items from the FEBS Network Team as well as news on FEBS events and other activities.

Atherosclerosis, inflammatory diseases, biomarkers

Molecular chaperones, estrogen signaling; undergraduate teaching, active learning, flipped classroom, curriculum development, graduate student training

I am a Professor of Toxicology, Biochemistry and Cell Signaling at Université Paris Cité (former Université Paris Descartes). I have completed my PhD in molecular toxicology and a post-graduate year in Bethesda, MD. I am the head of a Master degrees in toxicology and ecotoxicology. My research is based on cellular and animal models and on three main axes: 1) the influence of persistent organic pollutants on breast tumorigenesis and metabolic disruption, 2) the contextual role of pollutants in the occurrence of chronic liver diseases including steatosis and fibrosis, 3) the effect of mixtures on the progression of neurodegenerative diseases. I am involved in the development of innovative pedagogy methods and technics in order to improve transmission, acquisition, memorization and utilization of scientific knowledge by our biomedical students. I used flipped classrooms, quizzes (at home and during courses) and virtual reality to interact and immerge with students in and outside the classroom. Indeed, I developed with pedagogic engineers, 1) Home-based 45’’ Quizzes to engage students in regular learning modes and 2) serious games on cell signaling and xenobiotic stress. Together, with Etienne Blanc, Caroline Chauvet and Frédéric Dardel, I wrote several French books of biochemistry and toxicology topics for undergraduate students. I collaborate with several national and international institutes and universities (CNAM Thierry KOSCIELNIAK, Université de Strasbourg Jean-Luc SOUCIET, National University of Singapore, Fun Man FUNG...) for the development of innovative methods in teaching.

I am is a National Teaching Fellow and a Senior Fellow of the Higher Education Academy. My innovative practice has been awarded the Royal Society of Biology HE Educator of the Year award 2019 and recognised by my students with the Sheffield Hallam University Inspirational Teaching Award for the last ten years. I actively collaborate to develop and disseminate his own and others teaching practices, working both within his university and across the sector in learning, teaching and assessment groups. Through these activities, I build technology-enhanced learning methods for student engagement in both the classroom and laboratory. Pedagogical publications are centred on student interaction and engagement. My biological research interests combine protein chemistry, cell culture and mass spectrometry to investigate the molecular basis of Parkinson's disease and cancer spheroid models. Studies focus on developing 3D cell culture models and investigating these through proteomics, metabolomics, and imaging technologies.

biochemistry, molecular biology, bioinformatics, molecular visualisation, technology for teaching and learning

I spent 40 years teaching and researching, and developed a particular interest in education and career development. I chaired the Education Committee and was Careers advisor for the UK Biochemical Society. In these roles, and my work with students at the University of Manchester, I realised how important it is for young scientists to recognise their skills and be able to "sell" themselves to potential employers (and grant awarding bodies). I now run CV support sessions for young scientists on behalf of the FEBS Education Committee, of which I was a founder member.

SIB Sezione Giovani is the Junior Section of the Italian Society of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology (SIB). It was set up in 2020 to support the career development and networking opportunities of students and young researchers in the molecular life sciences in Italy. SIB Sezione Giovani organise and deliver their own activities under the supervision of their Society and all members of the Junior Section are members of SIB. SIB Sezione Giovani are also part of the FEBS Junior Section. To find out more about SIB Sezione Giovani read their overview post and check out the online talks and other activities they deliver, accesible from the 'Popular contributions' section below.

Dr. Isabel Varela-Nieto graduated and earned her doctorate in Chemistry, Biochemistry Section, at the University Complutense of Madrid (Spain). She has been a visiting guest scientist at the Medical Schools of Uppsala (FEBS Fellow, Sweden) and San Diego (MEC Sabbatical, USA). She is Professor of Research at the CSIC and group leader at the CIBER of rare diseases (CIBERER, ISCIII) in Madrid. From the early 1990s she has been studying hearing neurobiology and IGF-1 actions. She was the first Chair of the SEBBM Science for Society working group with which she actively collaborates, and member of the FEBS Network working group. She is currently the president of the SEBBM, a member of the FEBS Science and Society Committee and of the ISC Finances Committee.

LabBuddy provides an e-learning solution to enhance traditional laboratory education by creating a form of blended learning. LabBuddy helps students prepare before the start of the laboratory work, supports them while working in the laboratory, and guides them during the processing of their results after the laboratory work. LabBuddy explained in 2 minutes: https://youtu.be/_s8hJ9wt5Dk