2024/06/26

Bilbao hosts the 2nd Severo Ochoa Conference: "Ligating the Ubiquitin family: Physiology, disease, and future directions"

This conference was organized by the Spanish Society of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology (SEBBM) and the Carmen and Severo Ochoa Foundation, together with the ProteoCure COST Action, in collaboration with the University of the Basque Country UPV/EHU and CIC bioGUNE.
The event brought together international experts and highlighted the importance of the ubiquitin world in protein homeostasis and cellular health, fostering scientific knowledge interchange and collaborations, as well as interaction with patient associations.

CIC bioGUNE, member of BRTA, is proud to announce the successful celebration of the 2nd Severo Ochoa Conference entitled "Ligating the Ubiquitin family: Physiology, disease, and future directions", that gathered international experts in a conducive environment for scientific discussion and interdisciplinary collaboration.

The Conference focused on the ubiquitin family of posttranslational modifiers and their role in cellular biology and diseases. The event highlighted the significance of the E3 ligase enzymes, responsible for modifying cellular proteins with ubiquitin, a small protein essential for the recycling and degradation of other cellular proteins. Ubiquitin regulates vital processes such as cell growth, DNA repair, and stress response, among others. Its function is fundamental to maintaining protein and cellular homeostasis, and its malfunction can lead to severe diseases such as cancer and neurodegenerative disorders.

During the conference, fundamental and emerging topics in the ubiquitin research were addressed, with the participation of leading researchers such as Ivan Dikic (Goethe University Frankfurt), Cristina Mayor-Ruiz (IRB Barcelona), and Simona Polo (IFOM, Milan), among others. The sessions included discussions on the mechanisms of action of ubiquitin, its implications in various pathologies, the latest research tools, and recent biomedical applications, specially related to targeted protein degradation strategies.

In addition to the scientific presentations, the conference promoted the exchange of ideas and the creation of collaborative networks among attendees through poster sessions, and a gala dinner. After the Conference, an outreach activity organized by Dr. Ugo Mayor (UPV/EHU and Ikerbasque) was held, where associations of patients with rare diseases shared their experiences with the scientific community, underscoring the importance of communication between scientists and society.

Rosa Barrio, local organizer and Principal Investigator of the Ubiquitin-likes and Development Lab at CIC bioGUNE, explains that "the ubiquitin field and the study of E3 ligases are in a state of high effervescence. The promise of new treatments based on targeted protein degradation, new discoveries, and the development of new tools make this a very attractive field of research. The speakers at the conference are at the forefront of international research in this field”.

The 2nd Severo Ochoa Conference coincided with the magical night of San Juan, when the bonfires illuminate the summer solstice, symbolizing the innovative spirit and hope for future scientific advancements in the field of ubiquitin.

CIC bioGUNE extends its gratitude to all the organizers, co-organizers, and sponsors for their support, and thanks the technical secretary for her invaluable assistance in making this event possible.

About CIC bioGUNE
The Centre for Cooperative Research in Biosciences (CIC bioGUNE), member of the Basque Research & Technology Alliance (BRTA), located in the Bizkaia Technology Park, is a biomedical research organisation conducting cutting-edge research at the interface between structural, molecular and cell biology, with a particular focus on generating knowledge on the molecular bases of disease, for use in the development of new diagnostic methods and advanced therapies.

About BRTA
BRTA is an alliance of 4 collaborative research centres (CIC bioGUNE, CIC nanoGUNE, CIC biomaGUNE y CIC energiGUNE) and 13 technology centres (Azterlan, Azti, Ceit, Cidetec, Gaiker, Ideko, Ikerlan, Leartiker, Lortek, Neiker, Tecnalia, Tekniker y Vicomtech) with the main objective of developing advanced technological solutions for the Basque corporate fabric.

With the support of the Basque Government, the SPRI Group and the Provincial Councils of the three territories, the alliance seeks to promote collaboration between the research centres, strengthen the conditions to generate and transfer knowledge to companies, contributing to their competitiveness and outspreading the Basque scientific-technological capacity abroad.

BRTA has a workforce of 3,500 professionals, executes 22% of the Basque Country's R&D investment, registers an annual turnover of more than 300 million euros and generates 100 European and international patents per year.

Spanish version