Sofía Parham Jadue was recognized for her thesis work for the professional degree in biochemistry from the Universidad de Chile. Her work deals with the GCN2 kinase and its role in cellular adaptation, a pioneering study that reveals sex-dependent differences in the response to amino acid scarcity.

Sofía Parham Jadue, a researcher at the Neurodegeneration Biology Laboratory of the Centro Ciencia & Vida (FCV-USS) and a biochemistry alumna of the Faculty of Chemical and Pharmaceutical Sciences of the Universidad de Chile, was recognized by the Chilean Society of Cell Biology with the Dr. Federico Leighton Award for Best Undergraduate Thesis 2025, a distinction that highlights works of excellence in scientific research carried out in the country.

For Sofía, the recognition represents a personal and academic milestone.

“It is a tremendous pride to receive this award. It is a reinforcement that my work, and the work we do in the laboratory, is on the right track, is robust, and is worthy of being highlighted. It is an honor to belong to such a group,” she states.

A pioneering study on cellular adaptation and sex differences

Her thesis, titled “Evaluation of the Role of GCN2 Kinase in the Modulation of Autophagy in the Motor Cortex and Hypothalamus of a Murine Model,” explores a signaling pathway essential for cells to adapt to environmental changes, particularly to amino acid scarcity.

The work focuses on GCN2, a key protein that acts as an amino acid sensor and allows cells to activate adaptation mechanisms in the face of nutritional deficits. The research was developed in two regions of the brain—the motor cortex and the hypothalamus—and considered both male and female animals, revealing profound differences between both sexes.

“We discovered that males and females respond in a totally different way to a low-protein diet, and that these responses are mediated by GCN2. This had not been described before,” explains the researcher.

The metabolic measurements initially incorporated as controls—body weight, glycemia, and motor function—ended up yielding unexpected and highly relevant results for understanding the role of this pathway in the central nervous system and in the organism in general.

The Faculty: a pillar in her scientific training

Regarding her years at the Faculty of Chemical and Pharmaceutical Sciences of the Universidad de Chile, where she graduated in Biochemistry, she points out that the training received was key to her development as a researcher. “The Faculty gave me a very solid chemical and biological foundation, which has been fundamental for facing the questions that arise in research and in the day-to-day life of the laboratory,” she comments. The research work allowed for the development of her thesis for the professional degree in biochemistry, work that was sponsored by Professor Alfonso Paredes of the Faculty of Chemical and Pharmaceutical Sciences of the Universidad de Chile, attached to the Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology.

“The Faculty has very good teachers. In particular, the classes of professors Daniela Seelenfreund and Valentina Parra were dazzling, and it was a privilege to have them as teachers. Furthermore, being able to participate in these instances with them was very inspiring for me. I also highlight Professor Alfonso Paredes, whose accompaniment in this process was of great help. He always showed a very good disposition to help with any problem, and I am very grateful for that,” emphasized Sofía.

Born in Santiago and of Palestinian descent, Sofía explains that her decision to dedicate herself to science was born from the wonder of understanding how life works at the molecular level: “Biochemistry allows us to study the very basis of life. I find it fascinating to have the possibility of knowing in great detail how living beings work and to delve into processes that are not yet fully understood. It is simply fascinating.”

Training marked by teamwork

The project was developed in the Neurodegeneration Biology Laboratory of the Centro Ciencia & Vida (FCV-USS) under the supervision of the Center's principal investigator and academic at the Faculty of Science of the Universidad San Sebastián, Dr. Soledad Matus Montero. The experience, says Sofía, has been deeply significant both academically and personally.

“I have been in this laboratory for three and a half years and it has been very enriching. Working under the mentorship of Dr. Matus has been an honor, and I have learned a lot from her, both academically and personally. She is a great person. In addition, the environment in the Laboratory is excellent and I have learned a lot, especially from Marcela Escandón, who has been a great colleague and friend,” points out the young researcher from the Centro Basal Ciencia & Vida (FCV-USS).

Original text: Jorge Aliaga Sandoval, Journalist FaCiQyF Uchile.