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Metabolic Club III convened researchers in Chile to address challenges in health, biotechnology, and the environment from a quantitative perspective.
Between March 27 and April 1, 2026, the international workshop Metabolic Club III was held. The event was organized by the Centro de Modelamiento Matemático (CMM), hosted at the Facultad de Ciencias Físicas y Matemáticas of the Universidad de Chile, in collaboration with the Universidad de O’Higgins. It brought together specialists in biology, bioinformatics, and mathematics with the aim of strengthening interdisciplinary research in biochemistry, molecular biology, and novel mathematical modeling approaches.
The meeting comprised two stages: a specialized course held in Santiago and a conference in Santa Cruz, with participation from researchers from Chile and Europe. The initiative fostered knowledge exchange and the development of new scientific collaborations focused on the study of complex biological systems, both at the cellular level and within microbial communities.
Within this framework, the Metabolic Club is envisioned as a permanent platform for interdisciplinary collaboration, aimed at bringing together experts in mathematics, computing, and biology interested in understanding cellular metabolism and the challenges associated with studying it at the biological scale.
Advanced training in genome-scale metabolic modeling
The first session took place on March 27 at the CMM, featuring the course “An introduction to genome-scale metabolic reconstructions and mathematical analysis,” delivered by Clémence Frioux (University of Bordeaux) and Sebastián Mendoza (University of Chile). The course focused on tools for modeling and analyzing biological systems.
The program initially addressed genome-scale metabolic models and the theoretical foundations of flux balance analysis (FBA). It concluded with advanced applications, including the determination of minimal nutritional requirements for microorganisms, integration of proteomic data into metabolic networks, strain optimization through in silico metabolic engineering, and the simulation of microbial interactions.
CMM principal investigator Prof. Alejandro Maass emphasized the impact: “The development of mathematical models applied to biology enables deeper understanding of complex systems. Initiatives like this are key to building capabilities and fostering collaborations that drive cutting-edge research”.
International collaboration to address global challenges
The second stage of the meeting took place between March 30 and April 1 in Santa Cruz, in the Colchagua Valley, where a conference was held with the participation of international experts in bioinformatics, biotechnology, microbiology, and complex systems. Notable participants included Anne Siegel (University of Rennes), Clémence Frioux (University of Bordeaux), Pedro Saa (Pontificia Universidad Católica), and Francisco Cubillos (Universidad de Santiago de Chile).
During the conference, research was presented on topics such as pathogenic bacteria, microbiome–environment interactions, cultured meat production, strain improvement through metabolic engineering, and the analysis of cardiometabolic diseases—highlighting the potential of mathematical models to tackle global challenges.
In this context, CMM associate researcher and professor at the Universidad de O’Higgins, Mauricio Latorre, stated: “Hosting Metabolic Club III in the O’Higgins Region creates opportunities for regional and national development of new scientific capabilities, which are essential for strengthening technological and productive progress. In this way, an interdisciplinary ecosystem is consolidated, linking science, innovation, and territory to address global challenges with biotechnological projections toward strategic sectors such as mining and agribusiness”.
Advancing interdisciplinary science from Chile
With the implementation of Metabolic Club III, the CMM reaffirms its role as a leading institution in interdisciplinary research, promoting the integration of mathematics and biology while strengthening international collaboration networks.
Initiatives of this kind contribute not only to the advancement of knowledge but also to the development of new scientific capabilities, positioning Chile as a relevant player in the development of quantitative tools applied to biological systems.
This initiative was supported by the CMM through its Basal Project FB210005, as well as by the Centro de Regulación del Genoma (IM-CRG), CNRS IRL 2807, INRIA, the Universidad de O’Higgins, and the Universidad de Chile.
Written by Cintia Beltrán, CMM Communications
Posted on Apr 20, 2026 in News
