The university final of the competition “Explain your thesis in 4 minutes” will take place on 22 June and is organised by the Catalan Foundation for Research and Innovation. Cristina Reguera, researcher and doctoral student in the Department of Basic Sciences, will represent UIC Barcelona.

Titled “‘The Butterfly Effect: from the endosome to obesity’, my doctoral thesis is a study of the interaction of two proteins, CPT1C and ABHD6, in the hypothalamus. This is a very important part of the brain that regulates the energetic homeostasis of our organism and maintains balance and internal stability,” explains Reguera. “The interaction of these two proteins is crucial for maintaining the function of hypothalamic neurones and thus preventing the appearance of metabolic diseases such as obesity.”

In addition, in the words of the researcher: “It was a challenge to adapt my thesis to an educational format in order to be able to present it in four minutes. I have really enjoyed doing it and I am particularly excited to be able to present it before the other universities and represent UIC Barcelona in the final.”