The “La Mosca Bianca” Award and the Breakthrough of Dr. Pablo Hernasanz

The prestigious “La Mosca Bianca” Award for 2025 will be conferred upon Dr. Pablo Hernasanz, a distinguished researcher at the Cajal Institute (CSIC) in Madrid, Spain. This honor, established by the Italian Association of Chronic Myeloid Leukemia Patients (AIP-LMC), is intended to independently recognize major discoveries in the biomedical field. 

Award Ceremony Details 

The award presentation will take place on October 18, 2025, at 12:30 PM, during the annual AIP-LMC meeting at the Helios Hotel in Monza. The ceremony will be officiated by Nicoletta Re, Vice President of AIP-LMC. Dr. Hernansanz will receive a gold pin and a monetary prize of ten thousand euros in recognition of his groundbreaking work. 

The Discovery 

Dr. Hernansanz’s award-winning research focuses on mitochondria, the cellular structures responsible for generating energy within cells. Although mitochondria have been studied by biologists for more than a century, Dr. Hernansanz’s findings have revealed new insights into their function. 

According to Professor Carlo Gambacorti-Passerini, who heads the AIP-LMC scientific committee and led the prize selection process, it was previously believed that the energy production in mitochondria was solely reliant on a hydrogen ion gradient. However, Dr. Hernansanz demonstrated that roughly half of the potential difference between the inside and outside of the mitochondria, which is crucial for energy generation, is actually attributable to a sodium ion gradient. Furthermore, his team identified the specific protein responsible for transporting sodium ions. 

Scientific Importance and Potential Applications 

While this discovery is considered fundamental and may not have immediate clinical applications, it holds promise for future medical advancements. The history of biomedical research shows that foundational discoveries can eventually lead to significant clinical breakthroughs—the discovery of the Philadelphia chromosome in 1960, for instance, paved the way for the development of imatinib for chronic myeloid leukemia treatment decades later. 

The potential medical applications of his research may include reducing the toxicity of certain anticancer drugs within tumor therapies, applying sodium flux control in mitochondrial metabolism to eradicate quiescent stem cells in chronic myeloid leukemia, and utilizing modifications in mitochondrial sodium flux to improve heart failure outcomes. 

The Italian Chronic Myeloid Leukemia Patients Association 

The Italian Chronic Myeloid Leukemia Patients Association was founded on the initiative of those directly affected by the disease, with the aim of supporting those living with CML and welcoming all new discoveries that can contribute to improving the quality of life of patients in a broader sense. 

The “La Mosca Bianca” Award 

This recognition celebrates those who stand out for their dedication and innovation in biomedical research and patient support. 

The Winner: Dr. Pablo Hernansanz 

Dr. Pablo Hernansanz is a young Spanish researcher working in the field of biomedicine. Both in his personal and professional life, his profound commitment to caring for people is evident. Raised in a natural environment rich in beauty and inspired by his biology mentors, Pablo found his calling in helping others. 

Passions and Social Commitment 

In addition to his scientific work, Pablo cultivates numerous passions: he enjoys outdoor activities, such as mountain running and hiking, and is also a beekeeper, driven by a love of life and a desire to contribute to its preservation. Together with some friends, he founded an association dedicated to supporting their region, with a particular focus on schools where girls and boys are at high risk of exclusion due to high crime rates, depopulation, or families in difficulty. 

A Life and Work Ethic 

Pablo Hernansanz says he feels deeply connected to his work because it represents the most natural way he has found to help people. He says that, as a child, his parents took him and his twin brothers to a nursing home, where they served meals and washed dishes. In those moments, encountering the kindness and gratitude of older people shaped his personal and professional journey, strengthening his belief in the importance of mutual care. 

Pablo Hernansanz fully embodies the values ​​of independence, integrity, creativity, and love for the well-being of others that are the driving force of the Italian Chronic Myeloid Leukemia Patients Association. 

The second edition of La Mosca Bianca award will be held in 2027.