Seminar: November 11 | 11.00 a.m.-12.00 p.m. | Room 1.3.14
Fernando Antunes, Centro de Química Estrutural, Institute of Molecular Sciences (CQE-IMS), Faculty of Sciences, University of Lisbon
Reimagining Heat: A Fresh Perspective on its Biochemical Significance
In biological systems, heat dissipated by cells represents energy irreversibly lost through various cellular processes. Traditionally, energy dissipation in the form of heat has been assumed to be directly proportional to catabolic rates. However, based on a collaborative effort between physical chemists and biochemists, we propose a new perspective on the biological significance of heat. Our research suggests that heat can serve as a sensitive biomarker of biological responses to both internal and external cues.
A thermodynamic rationale for this novel concept, supported by experimental results will be presented. We explore the implications of this new view of heat in biological systems and discuss its potential applications in future research and diagnostics. Our findings challenge conventional assumptions about cellular energetics and offer new insights into the complex interplay between metabolism, energy dissipation, and cellular responses to environmental stimuli.