Lecturer in cell biology, Dr Isabel Palacios reflects on her prestigious election to EMBO, her research journey from molecular biology to biophysics, and vision for advancing life sciences through collaboration and innovation.
In July 2024, Queen Mary University of London proudly celebrated the election of Professor Claudia Langenberg and SBBS’ own Dr Isabel M Palacios to the European Molecular Biology Organization (EMBO) Membership. This prestigious recognition, which honours exceptional contributions to life sciences, placed them among 100 distinguished new members from 37 countries. Now, as we usher in a new year, Dr Palacios shares insights into her research journey and the impact of her EMBO membership on her work and aspirations.
Reflecting on the recognition, Dr Palacios expressed her gratitude for being part of EMBO, a community of over 2,000 leading researchers committed to advancing life sciences. “EMBO membership is a lifetime honour,” she said. “This means that during the years I am an active academic, I will be helping the European science community in various ways.”
Her membership entails participation in committees to select recipients of EMBO fellowships and grants, a role she eagerly anticipates for the opportunities it brings to expand her research network, foster collaborations, and explore emerging scientific fields. Dr Palacios also highlighted how her involvement with EMBO could bolster initiatives like her charity, DrosAfrica, which supports research and education in sub-Saharan Africa using fruit flies as model organisms.
Dr Palacios’s journey into cell biology was sparked by a fundamental curiosity about how cells and their components function within multicellular organisms. “Learning about healthy cells is essential for understanding how organisms develop and operate,” she explained. “It’s also vital for biomedical research into diseases such as cancer and neurodegeneration.”
Her early research focused on biochemical and molecular approaches to studying cell function. Over time, Dr Palacios' interests evolved to encompass biophysical principles, leading her to collaborate with physicists to explore how cell biomechanics influence tissue organisation and function. “More recently, we’ve been investigating how these principles change in unhealthy cells, such as degenerating neurons,” she added, highlighting her commitment to addressing pressing biomedical challenges.
As a passionate advocate for advancing scientific knowledge, Dr Palacios is inspired by the rapid developments across various life sciences fields. She is particularly intrigued by breakthroughs in stem cell biology, organoids, and tissue and genome engineering. “These approaches can help address major unanswered questions about human organ development and improve human health by modelling diseases and developing therapies,” she said.
Dr Palacios is especially excited by research on brain organoids, which involve studying how cells self-organise to create ‘mini brains’ in the lab. “Understanding cellular behaviours in healthy and diseased brain organoids opens up fascinating avenues for uncovering the mechanisms underlying neurodegenerative disorders,” she explained.
Dr Palacios’s EMBO membership not only celebrates her past accomplishments but also positions her to contribute to the future of life sciences research and she is focused on leveraging this opportunity to amplify the impact of her work. “I am grateful to everyone who has supported me throughout my career,” she said. “Being part of this amazing community will undoubtedly inspire new directions for my research and collaborations.”
As the life sciences field continues to evolve, Dr Palacios’s contributions promise to deepen our understanding of cellular mechanisms and pave the way for innovative solutions to complex biological challenges. Her journey serves as an inspiring testament to the power of curiosity, collaboration, and the pursuit of excellence.