More than one hundred young researchers in Varese for the 9th Meeting Young Biochemists in Lombardy

The 9th Meeting Young Biochemists in Lombardy was held on Monday 14 September in the Granero-Porati Main Lecture Hall at the University of Insubria. Promoted by the Italian Society of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, the event was designed to showcase the work of a new generation of researchers and encourage scientific exchange. More than one hundred young researchers from universities and research institutions across Lombardy took part in the meeting in Varese.

The event gave participants the opportunity to present the results of their research, discuss new approaches and create opportunities for collaboration across different areas of biochemistry and biomolecular sciences.

The meeting opened with institutional greetings from Deputy Rector Umberto Piarulli and Loredano Pollegioni, Rector’s Delegate for Research and Technological Innovation. The scientific programme then unfolded in three sessions focusing on advances in protein biochemistry, the molecular mechanisms underlying diseases and therapeutic strategies, and bioactive compounds and sustainable biotechnology.

One of the highlights of the meeting was the keynote lecture by Loredano Pollegioni, entitled “Enzymology: the future is now (from enzyme mechanisms to AI-driven biocatalysis)”, which traced the evolution of enzymology from the molecular mechanisms of enzymatic reactions to the new prospects opened up by artificial intelligence and biocatalysis.

In the afternoon, the programme continued with talks on cancer research and sustainable biotechnology. The scientific sessions concluded with an invited lecture by Ivano Eberini, from the University of Milan, entitled “From dissemination to dialogue: research communication and knowledge valorisation in the digital media ecosystem”, dedicated to research communication and knowledge valorisation in the digital media ecosystem.

Alongside the oral presentations, a poster session provided further opportunities for direct discussion among participants, encouraging the exchange of ideas and scientific networking.

“It was a day full of enthusiasm, scientific discussion and participation,” commented Elena Rosini, lecturer at the University of Insubria and local organiser of the meeting. “Seeing more than one hundred young researchers from different universities gathered in Varese was extremely rewarding. Events like this are essential because they give young scientists the opportunity to present their work, exchange ideas and build scientific relationships that may develop into new collaborations.”

The day concluded with an awards ceremony recognising the best contributions presented during the meeting.

The 9th Meeting Young Biochemists in Lombardy was organised by Antonio Chaves, Elisabetta Grillo, Elisa Maffioli, Marco Mangiagalli, Marco Piccoli, Elena Rosini, Farida Tripodi and Marta Zarà.