It finally happened that the whole QTB scientific team, together with the associated members from the University of Aberdeen, met at the international conference. Held for the 5th time in the last 10 years, Metabolic Pathway Analysis 2015 is a conference that has a primary focus on the structural (topological) analysis of metabolic networks, and in particular techniques allied to linear algebra, linear programming and computer modelling. This time organised in Braga, Portugal, attracted, so far, the largest number of participants and offered an insight into novel methods and tools applicable to metabolic pathways, highlighting applications to metabolic engineering and health and plant sciences. Placed in a marvelous Bom Jesus, besides top scientific content, the meeting offered a unique set of architectonic Baroque jewels and one in kind view over the Braga city.
Our work was proudly represented by five poster presenters and a speaker. Dr. Elahe Radmaneshfar presented her work on stochastic modelling of fatty acid synthesis and her collegaue from Aberdeen, Dr. Ahmad Mannan presented his work on the evolutionary footprint in metabolic genes of Arabidopsis thaliana. Our PostDocs from HHU presented work on co-factors inclusion in the dynamic flux analysis (Dr. Antonella Succurro) and results of the ongoing research held with our Irish collaborators, on diatom-bacteria consortia (Dipl.-Biol. Ovidiu Popa). Also our PhD students contributed to the scientific content of the meeting: Suraj Sharma presented his first results of the modelling of glucosinolate metabolism in plants and Anna Matuszynska gave a talk about a reductionist approach to model self-regulation in plants during the session on the Applications to Photosynthetic organisms and Microbial Communities.
Inspired by the dynamic discussions we are already looking forward for the next MPA conference that will take place in 2017 in Montana, USA!
