Our lab uses genetically modified mouse models and a combination of cell biology, molecular biology, and biochemistry techniques to study the role of altered mitochondrial dysfunction and metabolism in human diseases. A primary analytical tool of the group is metabolomics, which enables the parallel quantification of hundreds of small molecule metabolites. The team also uses computational approaches to integrate datasets from multi-dimensional analyses, including metabolomics, proteomics, and transcriptomics, with the aim to model aging-related disorders and to generate mechanistic hypotheses that will be cross validated experimentally.

Mariana Costa-Macedo is an MSc student in Biomedicine at the Life and Health Sciences Research Institute (ICVS)/School of Medicine, University of Minho. She completed her BSc in Biochemistry at the School of Sciences, University of Minho (2025), where her passion for science and biomedical research was consolidated. During her master's programme, she has expanded her expertise in oncology, genetics, immunology, and translational biomedical sciences. Throughout her academic journey, her research has focused on investigating the therapeutic potential of novel compounds in colorectal and pancreatic cancer, and more recently, on glioblastoma. These experiences have enabled her to develop strong critical thinking, problem-solving, and collaborative skills within multidisciplinary research environments. Currently, Mariana is developing her master's thesis titled "Exploiting therapeutic vulnerabilities associated with HOXA9 and WNT6 co-expression in glioblastoma", supervised by Doctor Bruno M. Costa and Doctor Eduarda P. Martins at ICVS. This project aims to test whether a new therapeutic approach consisting of HOXA9/WNT6 dual inhibition is effective in GBM cell cultures and whether it can enhance immunotherapy efficacy. Alongside her academic training, Mariana is actively involved in scientific outreach. She is a member of the Imaging and Outreach team of the Junior Section of the Portuguese Biochemical Society (SPB-JS) and has collaborated in the organization of ENEBIOQ'25 in Braga and the I Young Biochemist Meeting in Coimbra. Motivated by curiosity, she aspires to pursue a career in scientific research, contributing to innovative projects that bridge fundamental discoveries and clinical applications.

The FEBS Junior Section is organised by students and young researchers from some FEBS Constituent Societies. They develop joint activities, such as online talks and other events, and share resources, as well as open doors for young European scientists to opportunities outside their home countries by providing the relevant contacts and fostering communication within the network.

With about 5200 members from institutes of higher education, research centers and industry the German Society for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology (GBM) is the leading body of bioscience experts in Germany. Steeped in tradition the GBM can look back on a long history reaching back to the nineteenth century. Its work focuses on one of the most dynamic and promising research fields of our time: the molecular biosciences in all of its manifestations like biochemistry, molecular biology, and molecular medicine. The GBM hosts scientific meetings and conferences including the annual Mosbacher Kolloquium, the biennial GBM Fall Meeting and the GBM study group conferences. It supports students and the next generation of scientists, confers awards and honors, and takes part in trade fairs and conferences. The GBM represents the interests of all who work and research in the dynamic and promising disciplines combining chemistry, medicine, and biology – from first year students to heads of institutes, from junior scientists to Nobel Prize winners – and promotes research and teaching, the implementation of scientific findings in biotechnology and medicine, and their publication. The international GBM meetings are a platform for sharing information on the latest developments in molecular biosciences with leading experts on the represented sectors. The network of contacts extends to all German universities and a large number of major research centers.