Science and Spirituality- Luís Portela
Throughout the 20th Century, humanity made enormous progress in science and technology, which has made possible a great knowledge of matter in general and of the human body. However, the existence of one or more non-physical entities within human beings, life beyond physical death, and the so-called parapsychological phenomenology, all have gone relatively unstudied, hampering the spiritual enlightenment.
Apparently, the fascination for the material discoveries put a greater focus on materialism, causing some imbalance in a considerable number of humans who are highly focussed on the physical world, in what they have and how they appear, giving less importance to universal values, to being, to spiritual life. However, given the significant results of the scientific research in parapsychology over the last few decades, science has the obligation to continue to research in this area, seeking to contribute to the spiritual enlightenment of humanity.
It would be reasonable to admit that some of the traditional phenomena we hear about will be shown as pure fantasy. But it would be also reasonable to admit that some traditional psychic phenomena we hear about will be confirmed as true, permitting a more comprehensive perspective of reality, with a greater capacity for individual and collective fulfilment and better understanding of ourselves as one particle of "universal energy" that is interconnected with all other particles.
Thus, it seems that science may contribute to humans living in a higher level of consciousness, developing their ability for respecting and loving themselves, but also the other and the Universal Whole
Apparently, the fascination for the material discoveries put a greater focus on materialism, causing some imbalance in a considerable number of humans who are highly focussed on the physical world, in what they have and how they appear, giving less importance to universal values, to being, to spiritual life. However, given the significant results of the scientific research in parapsychology over the last few decades, science has the obligation to continue to research in this area, seeking to contribute to the spiritual enlightenment of humanity.
It would be reasonable to admit that some of the traditional phenomena we hear about will be shown as pure fantasy. But it would be also reasonable to admit that some traditional psychic phenomena we hear about will be confirmed as true, permitting a more comprehensive perspective of reality, with a greater capacity for individual and collective fulfilment and better understanding of ourselves as one particle of "universal energy" that is interconnected with all other particles.
Thus, it seems that science may contribute to humans living in a higher level of consciousness, developing their ability for respecting and loving themselves, but also the other and the Universal Whole
From the imaginary to the real role in the justice system- Maria João Prata
The imaginary role that has been generated about Forensic Sciences, has had complex repercussions on multiple justice systems. Due to mediatization processes, the scrutiny of all auxiliary sciences to forensics has increased. After tackling what distinguishes Forensic Genetics from other Forensic Sciences, the importance of strengthening the collaboration between all intervenients of the justice system will be discussed, while ensuring a careful role compartmentalization to minimize conflicts between Science and Law.
Liquid Biopsy in Oncology- Ricardo Ribeiro
Precision medicine emerged as a model for personalizing healthcare based on genomic analyses. The introduction of new technologies allowed the identification of significant genetic variants in the human genome, with the results progressively being used to help determine the best therapeutic option for cancer patients. Liquid biopsy, particularly analysis of cell-free DNA (cfDNA) from peripheral blood, is used in clinical practice for the molecular characterization of tumors without the need for invasive biopsy, having shown additional interest for detection of minimal residual disease, monitoring of response to treatment and early detection of cancer.
Its performance is concordant with solid tumor sequencing, and useful for identifying actionable DNA changes with targeted therapies. Liquid biopsy represents the preferred modality to successively determine the mutational profile of the tumor genome after each line of treatment.
Liquid biopsy may include beyond detection of tumor-derived nucleic acids in the form of ctDNA, analysis of circulating tumor RNA, circulating microRNA, RNA or DNA from extracelular vesicles and circulating tumor cells, all identified from a sample of peripheral blood or body fluid, obtained in a minimally invasive way.
Liquid biopsy is increasingly recognized to provide important contribution for clinical oncology reasoning, representing a fundamental means of implementing personalized medicine.
Its performance is concordant with solid tumor sequencing, and useful for identifying actionable DNA changes with targeted therapies. Liquid biopsy represents the preferred modality to successively determine the mutational profile of the tumor genome after each line of treatment.
Liquid biopsy may include beyond detection of tumor-derived nucleic acids in the form of ctDNA, analysis of circulating tumor RNA, circulating microRNA, RNA or DNA from extracelular vesicles and circulating tumor cells, all identified from a sample of peripheral blood or body fluid, obtained in a minimally invasive way.
Liquid biopsy is increasingly recognized to provide important contribution for clinical oncology reasoning, representing a fundamental means of implementing personalized medicine.
Epigenetic alterations in human infertility- Joana Marques
Infertility represents a growing emergence worldwide affecting about one out of seven couples who attempt to generate a child. In the last 20 years, our group has been working on the occurrence of epigenetic defects, namely DNA methylation errors at imprinted genes, in spermatogenic cells from infertile patients. We described, in a seminal paper in 2004, the occurrence of imprinting errors in human spermatozoa from patients with oligozoospermia, i.e., decreased sperm count. Here, we observed hypomethylation of the Differentially Methylated Region (DMR) of H19 imprinted gene. Later, in 2008, we described that hypermethylation also occurs at the MEST gene in sperm from
oligozoospermic patients. Regarding azoospermia, i.e. absence of sperm in the semen, we have also observed imprinting errors in testicular sperm and other more immature spermatogenic cells. In normal spermatogenesis, we have described that imprinting marks are already established in human adult spermatogonia and are kept in subsequent stages, across meiotic divisions and in terminal differentiation phases. Our studies have contributed to novel insights into the molecular basis of human infertility.
oligozoospermic patients. Regarding azoospermia, i.e. absence of sperm in the semen, we have also observed imprinting errors in testicular sperm and other more immature spermatogenic cells. In normal spermatogenesis, we have described that imprinting marks are already established in human adult spermatogonia and are kept in subsequent stages, across meiotic divisions and in terminal differentiation phases. Our studies have contributed to novel insights into the molecular basis of human infertility.
Extreme Environments- Elena González
Extreme ecosystems, such as terrestrial hot springs, deep sea hydrothermal vents, glaciers and permafrost, hypersaline habitats, extreme pH habitats and subsurface, are widely distributed throughout the world. These environments and the microorganisms that inhabit them, called extremophiles, have always been of great scientific interest. Their study has provided pioneering discoveries that challenge some of the paradigms of modern biology.
Extremophiles live in habitats that are very hostile or even lethal to other forms of life, and have evolved different molecular strategies to cope with such extreme environmental conditions. They define the physical and geochemical limits of life, and they have attracted a great deal of interest from a fundamental and astrobiological perspective.
Moreover, although extremophiles were initially regarded as a “scientific curiosity”, the biotechnological potential of these microorganisms and their cellular products has boosted their research in recent years. The fields of biotechnology that could benefit from extremophiles are numerous and include the search for new bioactive compounds for industrial, agricultural, environmental and pharmaceutical uses. Thus, biotechnology developed from extremophiles has reached such a level of commercial development that it has led numerous research initiatives, biotechnology companies and the continuous search for new extremophile microorganisms and new genes across the globe.
Extremophiles live in habitats that are very hostile or even lethal to other forms of life, and have evolved different molecular strategies to cope with such extreme environmental conditions. They define the physical and geochemical limits of life, and they have attracted a great deal of interest from a fundamental and astrobiological perspective.
Moreover, although extremophiles were initially regarded as a “scientific curiosity”, the biotechnological potential of these microorganisms and their cellular products has boosted their research in recent years. The fields of biotechnology that could benefit from extremophiles are numerous and include the search for new bioactive compounds for industrial, agricultural, environmental and pharmaceutical uses. Thus, biotechnology developed from extremophiles has reached such a level of commercial development that it has led numerous research initiatives, biotechnology companies and the continuous search for new extremophile microorganisms and new genes across the globe.
Effect of forest fires on soil microbial communities. An example of the use of environmental DNA- Luis E. Sáenz de Miera Carnicer
Environmental DNA or eDNA analysis is a useful tool for determining the biodiversity of different samples, whether they come from soil, water, sediments or air. The DNA is extracted directly from the samples and not necessarily from particular individuals. Specific gene sequences are normally amplified by PCR from the eDNA, the amplicons obtained are sequenced using high-throughput sequencing techniques. Although on occasions and when it is intended to analyse viruses or prokaryotes, all the extracted DNA can be sequenced. The extracted eDNA can come from communities of whole organisms, usually living or not living microorganisms. And they can also come from remains of skin, mucosa, saliva, sperm, eggs, blood, roots, leaves, pollen or fruits. The bioinformatic analysis of the sequences obtained makes it possible to identify species or enzymatic functions of the sample by comparing them with databases.
As an example of the usefulness of eDNA, the results obtained in the analysis of communities of bacteria and fungi from forest soils that have suffered a large fire will be presented in this paper. The analysis immediately after the fire allows us to know how the structure and composition of the communities’ changes depending on the severity of the fire and what is the degree of resistance of each one of the components of the communities, it even allows the identification of species or taxonomic groups which behave as indicators. A new sampling after some time and under different conditions, allows us to understand how these communities recover and estimate their degree of resilience.
As an example of the usefulness of eDNA, the results obtained in the analysis of communities of bacteria and fungi from forest soils that have suffered a large fire will be presented in this paper. The analysis immediately after the fire allows us to know how the structure and composition of the communities’ changes depending on the severity of the fire and what is the degree of resistance of each one of the components of the communities, it even allows the identification of species or taxonomic groups which behave as indicators. A new sampling after some time and under different conditions, allows us to understand how these communities recover and estimate their degree of resilience.
Evolutionary genetics and genomics in a biodiversity hotspot - Angelica Crottini
Madagascar hosts an almost unparalleled concentration of endemic, diverse and endangered flora and fauna which has evolved in isolation over millions of years. Despite having four centuries of biological explorations, undescribed diversity is still widespread and is occurring at both poorly explored and in better-studied areas, and field exploration is still playing a crucial role in new species discoveries. The product of our field-based research resulted in the identification and description of several new species, in proposing new classifications, uncovering the distribution of genetic diversity and demographic history, and is currently contributing to uncover the patterns of species diversification of multiple radiations of amphibians and reptiles. Its native amphibian fauna is constituted by five independent radiations with 100% species-level endemism. Among these, the mantellid frogs is the most diversified family of anuran that here underwent a wide species radiation that resulted in the evolution of a plethora of morphological, ecological and reproductive traits. We combined the use of evolutionary genomics with the collection of life history traits and the use of comparative phylogenetic methods to investigate the evolutionary association between life-history and morphological traits and test for their contribution to the diversification of this group.
Cell therapies to resolve medical needs. CELLUSPHERES® innovative product as spearhead- Francisco Aulestia
Cellular therapies are a medical treatment approach that uses living cells or their components to treat disease or injury. Throughout the world, there is increasing interest in the use of cell therapies to treat a wide range of diseases, including musculoskeletal, gastric, cardiovascular, neurological disorders and autoimmune diseases.
One of the most common forms of cell therapy is stem cell or mesenchymal cell (MSC) therapy. These are obtained from different sources through bone marrow tissue, umbilical cord blood or adipose tissue.
In some countries, such as the United States and Europe, cell therapies are regulated by government agencies (FDA or EMA) and must meet stringent prerequisites to be approved for therapeutic use. These requirements involve animal and human studies that allow a characterization of the therapy as well as its toxic effects and efficacy.
Despite the challenges and controversies, cell therapies continue to be an exciting area of research and development around the world, with the potential to revolutionize the way many diseases are treated.
Cellus Biomedica has promoted for 4 years the development of an innovative advanced therapy based on mesenchymal cells called Celluspheres®. The therapy aims to be a platform for the treatment of diseases with an inflammatory component such as ostearthritis, ulcerative colitis or macular degeneration.
One of the most common forms of cell therapy is stem cell or mesenchymal cell (MSC) therapy. These are obtained from different sources through bone marrow tissue, umbilical cord blood or adipose tissue.
In some countries, such as the United States and Europe, cell therapies are regulated by government agencies (FDA or EMA) and must meet stringent prerequisites to be approved for therapeutic use. These requirements involve animal and human studies that allow a characterization of the therapy as well as its toxic effects and efficacy.
Despite the challenges and controversies, cell therapies continue to be an exciting area of research and development around the world, with the potential to revolutionize the way many diseases are treated.
Cellus Biomedica has promoted for 4 years the development of an innovative advanced therapy based on mesenchymal cells called Celluspheres®. The therapy aims to be a platform for the treatment of diseases with an inflammatory component such as ostearthritis, ulcerative colitis or macular degeneration.
Exploring p73 inhibition as a therapeutical target against Glioblastoma Stem Cells-Dr. Javier Villoch Fernández
Glioblastoma multiforme (GB) is the most prevalent and severe central nervous system malignant tumor, with a median of survival of 15 months, and almost no long-term survivors. This high mortality rate is caused by a combination of its highly invasive behavior, high rate of tumor relapse and the low effectiveness of currently available treatments. Multiple studies have demonstrated the presence of a tumor cell population in GB, known as Glioblastoma Stem Cells (GSC) with self-renewal and multipotency. These cells show high resistance to actually available GB treatments, and are highly tumorigenic, characteristics that make these cells, at least in part, responsible for the high mortality of GB. The TP73 gene is a transcription factor that belongs to the p53 family. P73, and most specifically, the TAp73 isoform, was initially described as a tumor suppressor, similar to p53. However, contrary to p53, TAp73 is not usually found mutated in cancer. Indeed, many human tumors, including GB, display high p73 expression, suggesting a pro-oncogenic function. P73 is involved in several developmental and homeostatic processes, and some of these functions could be responsible for the pro-oncogenic role of TAp73. One of the most studied p73 function is its role in the central nervous system development. TAp73 is an essential regulator for the maintenance of stemness of neural stem cells, which share many common features with GSC. Considering this, our working hypothesis was that p73 could have a relevant function in GSC biology, and thus, be a potential therapeutic target against GB. Inactivation of the TP73 gene in GSC using the CRISPR/Cas9 gene editing system demonstrated that this gene is an important regulator of GSC cell growth and stemness. Next, we optimized a screening system that allow the identification of a novel natural compound from the collection of natural compounds of Biomar Microbial Technologies with TAp73 inhibitory capacity in GB cells. This compound presented a higher cytotoxic effect on GB cells than the drugs commonly used for GB treatment, and showed specificity against GSC. Moreover, we demonstrated that this treatment was able to inhibit invasion capacity and stemness potential in GSC. Transcriptomic analysis suggested that these effects could be, at least in part, due to the capacity of this novel natural compound of inhibit TAp73 expression in GSC. Thus, considering all the above, we conclude that we have identified a TAp73 novel natural compound that is a good candidate treatment against GB.