La revista Encuentros en la Biología (ISSN 1134-8496) es una revista de divulgación científica con carácter interdisciplinar, está editada por la Universidad de Málaga y publica periódicamente (primavera, verano, otoño, invierno) aquellas contribuciones originales que se enmarcan en un ámbito de encuentro entre las ciencias biológicas y las demás fuentes de conocimiento científico; esto es, conocimiento testado experimentalmente y avalado al menos por una fuente primaria de documentación. Aceptará también la edición de biografías de autores relevantes, de reseñas de libros y trabajos especializados, de imágenes para la portada, la sección «La imagen comentada» y otras secciones especializadas, así como noticias, comunicaciones y eventos relacionados con la biología.
Esta obra está bajo licencia internacional Creative Commons Reconocimiento-NoComercial-CompartirIgual 4.0. Esta revista provee acceso libre inmediato a su contenido bajo el principio de hacer disponible gratuitamente la investigación al público. Todos los contenidos publicados en Encuentros en la Bilogía están sujetos a la licencia Creative Commons Reconocimento-NoComercia-Compartirigual 4.0 cuyo texto completo puede consultar en <http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/4.0> Se pueden copiar, usar, difundir, transmitir y exponer públicamente, siempre que: Se cite la autoría y la fuente original de su publicación (revista, editorial y URL de la obra). No se usen para fines comerciales. Se mencione la existencia y especificaciones de esta licencia de uso Los derechos de autor son de dos clases: morales y patrimoniales. Los derechos morales son prerrogativas perpetuas, irrenunciables, intransferibles, inalienables, inembargables e imprescriptibles. De acuerdo con la legislación de derechos de autor, Encuentros en la Biología reconoce y respeta el derecho moral de los autores/as, así como la titularidad del derecho patrimonial, el cual será cedido a la Universidad de Málaga para su difusión en acceso abierto. Los derechos patrimoniales, se refieren a los beneficios que se obtienen por el uso o divulgación de las obras. Encuentros en la Biología se publica en open access y queda autorizada en exclusiva para realizar o autorizar por cualquier medio el uso, distribución, divulgación, reproducción, adaptación, traducción o transformación de la obra. Es responsabilidad de los autores/as obtener los permisos necesarios de las imágenes que están sujetas a derechos de autor. Los autores/as cuyas contribuciones sean aceptadas para su publicación en esta revista conservarán el derecho no exclusivo de utilizar sus contribuciones con fines académicos, de investigación y educativos, incluyendo el auto-archivo o depósito en repositorios de acceso abierto de cualquier tipo. La edición electrónica de esta revista esta editada por la Editorial de la Universidad de Málaga (UmaEditorial), siendo necesario citar la procedencia en cualquier reproducción parcial o total.
La expulsion de Rio Hortega del laboratorio de Cajal
In 2021, I published a work in “Encounters with Biology”in which we addressed the lies that had recently spread about the conflictive relations between Cajal and Río Hortega, which led to the expulsion of the latter. from the Cajal laboratory. We complete that article with new contributions that allow us to better understand a conflict that must have significantly affected the life of that “School of Cajal” or “Spanish School of Neurology.” Cajal was undoubtedly the most representative figure of that “edad de plata” of Spanish science in the first third of the 20th century and one of its main agents. Unfortunately, once again the failure of the Second Republic, the civil war and the long dictatorship put an end to the resurgence of the enlightenment in Spain, to the point that it is legitimate to ask what would have happened if that regenerationist project of the first third of the 20th century would not have been interrupted. The answer is not difficult to imagine
Copyright (c) 2026 Encuentros en la Biología
Philosophy of Biology. History and Perspectives for the 21th Century
This article addresses the question: What is the philosophy of biology? To answer it, a thematic and historical overview of the field is provided, highlighting its central problems, key authors, foundational works, and the most intriguing open questions that continue to drive discussion.
Concurso de Ilustración Científica de la facultad de Ciencias de la UMA
Changes in the fluctuating asymmetry in the humerus of the Mediterranean yellow-legged gull (Larus michahellis) (Laridae: Charadriiformes)
In this research, the authors applied geometric morphometric techniques to assess possible bilateral asymmetries in humeri of 16 yellow-legged gulls (Larus michahellis), based on radiographic ventro-dorsal projections. The sampled reflected fluctuating asymmetry (FA), both in size and shape, but no directional asymmetry (DA) neither antisymmetry. Humeral proximal elements showed the showed a greater amount of asymmetry, which suggests that mechanical load is greater in these areas and are therefore biomechanical factors rather than environmental stress are responsible for detected asymmetry. DA was not significative, which would support the hypothesis that compressive forces of the arm are not different on both sides. FA changed with size, which would also suggest that it develops during endochondral bone growth.
International cooperation volunteer project for the identification of plant viruses in the Galapagos Islands
Between June and September 2022, a volunteer project in International Cooperation with the Agency for Regulation and Control of Biosecurity and Quarantine for Galapagos (ABG), was carried out in the Galapagos islands, Ecuador. ABG is the authority that controls biosecurity, quarantine, animal and human health, as well as the protection of the island and marine ecosystems of the Galapagos Islands. The objective was to generate knowledge about plant viruses prevalent in traditional crops and natural species on the transition zones between agricultural and protected areas of the Galapagos National Park, contributing to environmental protection and the sustainable use of the natural resources of the Galapagos Archipelago. Single-stranded circular DNA (ssDNA) viruses cause serious losses in many temperate countries with an agriculture-based economy. They can evolve to cause new or more aggressive diseases in crops or ecologically valuable plants. Volunteers sampled crops of interest such as tomato, zucchini, bell pepper and papaya, as well as weeds and whitefly specimens on Santa Cruz Island. Using rolling circle amplification and specific PCR techniques for begomovirus detection, DNA amplification was obtained in some crops but mainly in weeds, which, if confirmed by sequencing, would suggest the presence of virus reservoirs in these plants. The results obtained will allow ABG to detect and identify the viruses prevalent in the islands and implement appropriate control measures that will directly benefit the Galapagos population with an economy based on sustainable agriculture and ecotourism. The experience has highlighted the benefits of international cooperation, not only in contributing to research and conservation, but also in promoting professional development opportunities for the participants.
Don’t be misled: there is no cure for cancer
The media often announces the discovery of “the cure for cancer,” generating expectations that do not align with scientific reality. This article debunks that myth from a clear and accessible perspective, explaining why a single cure for cancer does not (and will not) exist.
More than a skeleton: the cytoskeleton assembles and disassembles like building blocks at the cellular level.
The functions, shape and architecture of our entire body are governed by what happens at the cellular level. At this level, proteins (building blocks) that can assemble and disassemble like LEGO building blocks form the cytoskeleton, which is made up of actin filaments, intermediates and microtubules that adapt and respond to change constantly, forming various structures that together allow the cell to maintain its shape, organize and transport internal components (proteins, organelles). In addition, it is essential for carrying out basic functions such as cell division, migration, anchoring to the extracellular matrix and for cellular communication.
Stress Granules: Potential Biotechnological Targets Against Climate Change
Feeding 9 billion people by 2050 is one of the greatest challenges facing our society. Crops are the main source of food; however, atmospheric events associated with ongoing climate change are severely a! ecting agricultural productivity. If this trend continues in the coming years, society will face a serious supply crisis for an exponentially growing global population. Rising global temperatures, extreme droughts, and increased soil salinity are the main causes of yield loss in crops. Therefore, developing crop varieties resilient to environmental stress is a top priority to maintain optimal productivity and ensure future food security. To achieve this, it is essential to understand how plants cope with extreme stress conditions. One of the earliest cellular responses to stress perception is the formation of cytoplasmic structures known as stress granules (SGs). SGs are biomolecular condensates composed mainly of RNA and proteins, assembled through a process called liquid–liquid phase separation (LLPS). Although most current knowledge about their composition, assembly, and function comes from model organisms such as yeast and animals, recent studies in plants suggest that SGs could play a central role in plant resilience. This opens the possibility of developing SG-targeted biotechnological strategies to create more stress-tolerant crops.
The Sodium and Potassium Balance in Plants: The Dose Makes the Poison
Although sodium (Na) and potassium (K) have similar abundances in the Earth’s crust, all living organisms preferentially accumulate K within their cells while avoiding high levels of Na. In plants, Na toxicity is the main harmful effect of salinity. To counteract this, plants possess a network of ion transporters, among which the SOS (Salt Overly Sensitive) pathway stands out for its functional importance. This pathway promotes Na extrusion from root cells into the medium or its loading into the xylem, allowing proper Na distribution to the shoots and dilution through growth. Potassium uptake, on the other hand, relies on a complex and redundant system of ion transporters that ensures adequate nutrition under widely varying K availability, often capturing all available K from the medium. However, this strong affinity for K can lead to toxicity when uptake becomes uncoupled from its tissue distribution or vacuolar storage. Furthermore, under K deficiency, many plants actively accumulate Na to substitute for K in osmoregulatory functions. Thus, the distinction between nutrient and toxin becomes blurred, recalling Paracelsus’s principle that “the dose makes the poison”.
Research on the origin of life and its search beyond Earth
Astrobiology is a young and interdisciplinary field that combines advances from various branches of physics, chemistry, geology, biology, and engineering, while also maintaining a philosophical perspective. In this context, we study how life began on our planet under the conditions that existed at least 3.9 billion years ago, also considering the molecules that may have reached us from space aboard meteorites or comets. At the same time, we investigate whether the transition between chemistry and biology could have taken place in other environments considered “habitable” within the Solar System. Among these are the search for biomarkers on Mars, in the clouds of Venus, and on the moons of Jupiter and Saturn that possess subsurface oceans of liquid water, such as Europa, Enceladus, and Titan. Beyond our cosmic neighborhood, the search for signs of life extends to extrasolar planets, of which more than 6,000 are already known. Thus, between chance and necessity, we now ask ourselves whether it is more likely that we are alone. . . or that the Universe is full of living beings.
From small signals to big changes: the crucial role of a small signaling peptide in plant responses to microbial volatiles
The interaction between plants and microorganisms involves bidirectional chemical communication, which is essential during the early stages of symbiosis. Both plants and microorganisms emit chemical signals to attract or alert their presence. Among these signals, microorganisms produce and release volatile compounds. These compounds are not only crucial for establishing symbiosis but also induce plant growth and stress tolerance. Furthermore, microbial volatile compounds can modulate root system architecture. These changes are associated with the reprogramming of the root proteome and the modulation of ethylene and auxin signaling pathways. A key component in modifying root morphology is the signaling peptide RALF22 and its receptor FERONIA, which are essential for root hair elongation and proliferation. In addition, fungal ethylene plays a crucial role in these processes, as its production is required to induce morphological changes in roots.
Chemical Biology to improve plant tolerance to drought
ccording to the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), drought is the main factor causing agricultural production losses. In fact, more than 34 % of crop and livestock production losses are due to drought, with a global cost to the sector of 37 billion dollars. Abscisic acid (ABA) is a key plant hormone that coordinates the activation of adaptive responses aimed at protecting plants from stress. To exert its function, ABA binds to its PYR/PYL receptors, triggering a reprogramming of plant growth that enhances water-use eciency, allowing survival during periods of drought. In this work, we used a chemical biology approach to develop chemical compounds that increase plant drought resistance by targeting ABA receptors. After screening millions of chemical molecules, we identified a compound capable of activating ABA receptors. However, its activity was very low. Guided by structural studies, we designed a custom receptor (CsPYL15m) optimized to be activated by this new compound. In a second step, we synthesized an improved version of the compound, named iSB09, which eciently activates the engineered receptor. Applying iSB09 to transgenic plants expressing the optimized receptor (CsPYL15m) significantly increased their drought tolerance. Foliar spray application of iSB09 allows plants to withstand extended periods without irrigation, providing a promising technology to address drought-related challenges in agriculture.
Scientific evaluation based on bibliometric indicators:
Bibliometric indicators have gained increasing prominence not only in evaluating the scientific performance of researchers and the institutions in which they work, but also in shaping their professional and social recognition. After reflecting on the reasons behind the use of bibliometric indicators in scientific evaluation, this work critically examines the principles and assumptions on which they are based. Questions and doubts are raised regarding the reliability and validity of these indicators, with the aim of encouraging readers to replace beliefs with certainties, myths with realities, and to make intelligent, critical, and responsible use of them. The paper also speculates on the future direction of bibliometric evaluation and concludes by reviewing the positive and negative effects—the lights and shadows—of employing bibliometrics in the assessment of scientific activity.
Origin and evolution of gibberellin signaling in plants
Gibberellins are plant hormones primarily recognized for their role in promoting plant growth. However, they also regulate other key processes, such as stress tolerance and overall development. Although their prominence during the Green Revolution of the 1960s drove their agronomic use, it is only in recent times that we have understood their evolution and how they acquired such diverse functions. The gibberellin signaling mechanism is relatively simple: they are detected by the soluble receptor GID1, which undergoes a conformational change to interact with DELLA proteins, promoting their degradation via the proteasome. DELLA proteins do not bind directly to DNA but regulate gene expression by interacting with transcription factors. In this way, gibberellins control gene expression through modulation of DELLA levels. Although DELLA proteins are present in all land plants, gibberellins and their GID1 receptor are found only in vascular plants. It has been discovered that in non-vascular plants, DELLA proteins retain the ability to interact with transcription factors and control stress responses and development. This suggests that gibberellins acquired these functions when the GID1 receptor appeared in the common ancestor of vascular plants.
Genetic testing: a cornerstone in rare disease diagnosis
Reflections on Current Artificial Intelligence Systems
In this text, I reflect on the evolution, capabilities, and ethical challenges of artificial intelligence. I explain how AI has evolved from being defined as the creation of intelligent machines to a legal entity that includes techniques such as machine learning, logic, and optimisation. I review key historical milestones, from Ramon Llull and Alan Turing to modern systems like Deep Blue, Watson, AlphaGo, and ChatGPT. While recent advances are remarkable, they also raise ethical concerns such as misinformation, bias, and the irresponsible use of technology. I argue that current AI systems lack true reasoning and moral understanding, making collective reflection on their development and application essential. I propose establishing a social contract between technology and human communities to ensure that AI evolves within strong ethical frameworks and in harmony with human values.
Molecular Markers: Driving the Improvement of Strawberry Varieties and Deciphering the Genetic Keys to Their Diversity
At the Genomics and Strawberry Biotechnology Laboratory at the IFAPA Málaga center, we work on identifying molecular markers—DNA variations—associated with specific traits in the strawberry plant. We are particularly interested in those related to fruit quality and agronomic performance. These markers form the basis for developing genetic tests that help breeders of new varieties select the most desirable traits early and accurately. Beyond their practical value, identifying these molecular markers provides key insights into the genetic and molecular foundations underlying the variability of the traits studied. As an example, in this article we present the identification of a marker associated with carotenoid content in strawberry fruit. These compounds, in addition to their well-known antioxidant activity, are important for human health because some act as precursors of vitamin A—such as β-carotene and α-cryptoxanthin—while others, such as lutein and zeaxanthin, help protect vision as components of the macular pigments in the eye. The test we have developed represents a valuable tool for selecting strawberry varieties that are healthier and more nutritionally complete.
The Official Association of Biologists of Andalusia is committed to young talent: students from the University of Malaga excel in the latest TFG Awards.
Seleccionado:Colegio Oficial de Biólogos de Andalucía
Evolving classrooms: a teaching proposal about history and philosophy of biology
The university education of biologists, and scientists in general, has been filled with theory and practices that attempt to include the majority of knowledge acquired to date in their respective fields of study. However, critical thinking has almost disappeared from classrooms. Could history and philosophy of biology be the key to prevent its disappearance?
Copyright (c) 2025 Encuentros en la Biología
AUTOPHAGY IN PLANTS: THE SECRET MECHANISM THAT ENSURES THEIR SURVIVAL
Plants are sessile organisms, meaning they must face various challenges to ensure their survival, such as predation and environmental conditions. To cope with these challenges, they have developed different mechanisms throughout evolution, with autophagy being a notable one. Autophagy is a metabolic process that allows the removal of unwanted cellular content and the recycling of nutrients. This article explains the types of autophagy in plants and its stages, as well as the various roles it plays in plant development, metabolism, and stress responses.
A BIOLOGY STUDENT READS AND COMMENTS ON SCHRÖDINGER'S WHAT IS LIFE?
The article is a personal and analytical reflection by Inés Sánchez Túnez, a Biology student, about the book What is Life? by Erwin Schrödinger. Through an interdisciplinary reading that combines quantum physics and biology, she highlights the relevance and modernity of the text, despite having been written in 1944. The article explores concepts such as negative entropy, order in living systems, the transmission of genetic information, and the theoretical anticipation of the structure of DNA through the idea of the “aperiodic crystal.” It also examines the role of mutations and the impact of physical laws on evolution and molecular stability. The article emphasizes Schrödinger's view of life as an ordered phenomenon within an entropic universe and values his proposal that life might involve physical principles yet to be discovered. With both a scientific and philosophical approach, it concludes that the true value of the book lies not in providing definitive answers, but in its ability to pose fundamental questions that gradually bring us closer to a better understanding of the phenomenon of life.
Trichinellosis: A zoonotic disease of global importance
Trichinosis, or trichinellosis, is a zoonotic disease of global importance that affects approximately ten thousand people each year. Therefore, in this short comic, we seek to provide an overview of the sources of infection for this disease.
Malagueño y exquisito: hablamos de Abies pinsapo Boiss
The Spanish fir (Abies pinsapo Boiss) is a conifer endemic to the Andalusian mountains that is in danger of extinction. This article describes its ecological importance and highlights its resilience to the effects of climate change.