Speakers

Title: "Computational Insights into Biomolecule-Based Inhibition of Drosophila suzukii Acetylcholinesterase for Sustainable Pest Control"

Chemical pesticides are often associated with adverse effects on the environment and human health, such as their persistence in soils and toxicity to humans. In order to improve the control of agricultural pests, this study is proposing alternative biomolecules to chemical pesticides. We specifically targeted Drosophila Suzukii, a pest that infest a wide range of cultivated and wide soft skinned fruits globally. To identify potential inhibitors of acetylcholinesterase (AChE), a key enzyme in the insect's nervous system, we conduced an in silico study using molecular modeling and docking. Building the three-dimensional structure of Drosophila suzukii AChE based on known homologous proteins, allowing virtual screening analysis, through a pharmacophore approach with LOTUS natural products database. This process led to the selection of molecules with a high affinity for AChE. The selected compounds were analyzed by ADMET predictions to evaluate their pharmacokinetic and toxicological properties. As a result, eight molecules met these criteria and showed strong potential AChE inhibitors. However, experimental assays remain necessary to validate their biopesticide effects and their ability to protect crops while minimizing health risks.

Title: "Bridging Molecular Insights and Clinical Applications: Multiscale Modeling and Human Digital Twin Approaches for Disease Mechanism Investigation"

Multiscale modeling and digital twin technologies have emerged as powerful approaches to bridge the gap between molecular insights and clinical applications. This talk will explore innovative strategies for integrating multiomics data to elucidate complex disease mechanisms, with a focus on applying dynamic modeling techniques. By leveraging multiscale approaches, we aim to capture the intricate interplay between molecular, cellular, and tissue-level processes, offering a comprehensive view of disease progression. The presentation will also highlight the use of digital twin frameworks to personalize disease modeling, enabling predictions of individual patient responses to therapeutic interventions. Through these methodologies, we seek to advance precision medicine and pave the way for tailored clinical strategies, ultimately translating molecular insights into actionable medical outcomes.

Title: "A novel antibiotic class targeting the enolase of Acinetobacter baumannii"

High-throughput screening studies provide an additional approach to discovering repurposed drugs for antimicrobial treatments.  We report the identification of ENOblock, an anticancer drug, as a novel antibiotic class. We computationally and experimentally validated that ENOblock synergizes with the last resort antibiotic, the colistin. Additionally, we identified enolase as the potential bacterial target for ENOblock. The in silico and in vitro antibacterial activity of ENOblock translated into potent in vivo efficacy in animal infection models. Collectively, the preclinical data support the selection of ENOblock as a promising candidate for antimicrobial development, with the potential to address the urgent threat of infections caused by Acinetobacter baumannii.

Biography

Younes Smani graduated in Cellular Biology and Animal Physiology in 2002 from the University of Henri Poincaré, Nancy (France). He completed his PhD in 2006 in Hematology at the Department of Physiology and Hematology at the University of Henri Poincaré, Nancy. In 2007, he joined the Infectious Diseases Department at University Hospital Virgen del Rocío in Seville (Spain) as a postdoctoral researcher. From 2016 to 2022, he was a Senior Researcher at the Institute of Biomedicine of Seville. Since 2022, he has been a Professor at the University Pablo de Olavide of Seville, Group Leader at the Andalusian Center of Developmental Biology, and Head of the Cellular Biology and Biotechnology Department. Additionally, he serves as the WG2 leader of COST Action CA21145. He has published more than 80 papers and book chapters in scientific journals and presented over 100 conference abstracts. His research focuses on host-pathogen interactions and the development of new antimicrobial strategies to treat bacterial infections

Title: "Beyond the Genome—Metabolomics and the Microbiome Pioneering a New Era in Precision Medicine"

The field of precision medicine is undergoing a paradigm shift, driven by the integration of metabolomics and the microbiome—two cutting-edge approaches that are redefining our understanding of health and disease. While metabolomics examines the complete set of small molecules within cells, tissues, and biofluids, the microbiome explores the dynamic interplay of microbial communities within the body. Together, they offer unparalleled insights into the biochemical and microbial activities that go beyond static genomic information, capturing the missing pieces of the omic puzzle.

This conference will highlight how the combined power of metabolomics and microbiome research is reshaping precision medicine. Profiling the metabolome and the microbiome enables researchers and clinicians to identify subtle metabolic and microbial changes that precede or accompany disease. This deeper understanding leads to earlier diagnoses, more accurate prognoses, and the development of therapies precisely tailored to an individual’s metabolic and microbial profile. By integrating metabolomics with microbiomics and other omic approaches, we can uncover hidden disease pathways and gain a holistic view of patient health.

We will explore the transformative potential of these tools in diagnosing, treating, and preventing complex diseases, as well as their role in accelerating the discovery of novel biomarkers and therapeutic targets. Additionally, we will address the practical challenges of translating metabolomic and microbiome research into clinical practice, including issues of standardization, validation, and ethical considerations.

As we advance beyond the genome, metabolomics and the microbiome represent the missing links in precision medicine, offering highly personalized medical strategies that promise improved patient outcomes and a new era of healthcare.