The importance of biochemistry in international modern medicine education and research - Michalis Aivaliotis, Associate Professor of Biochemistry

With the rise of public health threats such as air pollution, climate change, chronic diseases, antimicrobial resistance and the emergence of a pandemic, biochemistry rapidly emerges as one of the scientific fields with high impact on human’s life. The Holy Grail of biochemistry research is the detailed and accurate characterization of all structures, functions and interactions of biological macromolecules (molecular "machines", such as proteins) within the cells that provide the fundamental knowledge about the structure and function of cells, tissues, organs and organisms. This knowledge is required for effectively solving complex biomedical problems, including diagnosis, prognosis, treatment and prevention of diseases.

Moreover, biochemistry is the only field that accurately studies the role of nutrition in the human body. With millions of people taking vitamin and mineral supplements daily, different eating habits and requirements, even malnutrition, constant biochemical discoveries will continue to have a huge impact on the area of nutritional deficiency and its relationship to health.

New technological developments and the emergence of new scientific fields based on biochemistry, such as omics technologies (genomics, transcriptomics, proteomics, metabolomics), systems biology, bioinformatics, cause a scientific "revolution" that could accelerate the development of innovative personalized therapies for a range of diseases, while promoting prevention. In addition, the rapid advancement in artificial intelligence, machine learning and the ability to quickly and efficiently integrate and analyze large data resources, allows scientists to chart unexplored areas of biochemistry.

The integration of this scientific knowledge with strategic methods in clinical practice for preserving health, understanding the pathophysiology of diseases, and identifying possible therapies, makes biochemistry one of the most important areas of science.

Overall, the real impact of biochemistry on medicine is difficult to be quantified. From the research on transplants and regenerative medicine, to the development of new drugs that bring accuracy and effectiveness in treatment, the pioneering work of biochemistry continues to broaden the horizons of medical science. The field of research seems to be inexhaustible and limitless.

In conclusion, medical doctors training with strong knowledge of biochemistry is of the utmost importance in all internationally recognized medical departments, both for the realization of the necessary interdisciplinary cutting-edge medical research, and for the creation of modern physicians, with a deep molecular understanding of human physiology and pathology, which is constantly updated.

Aivaliotis Michalis, Associate Professor of Biochemistry, Aristotle University School of Medicine