Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is defined by chronic inflammation of the intestine, and the term is used for the diseases Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis.
These chronic diseases often affect young people and lead to a need for lifelong follow-up in the healthcare system and, for many, the use of advanced immunosuppressive therapy and sometimes surgery.
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Now, the newly established Nordic NOIR (Nordic Network of IBD Researchers) will work to elevate Norwegian research communities so they can take on leading roles in international initiatives.
“Nordic NOIR's main goal is to increase the quality of Norwegian IBD research through better utilization of data and resources, and closer links between basic research and clinical practice,” Marte Lie Høivik, Professor at the University of Oslo and consultant at the Department of Gastroenterology at Oslo University Hospital, says.
She is one of Norway's leading experts on IBD and heads the network.
Significant for both clinicians and researchers in Norway
Nordic NOIR also wants to facilitate better sharing of expertise and infrastructure, as well as establish exchange and mentoring schemes for younger researchers.
In addition, the network will identify projects suitable for Nordic cooperation and international funding.
“For Norwegian gastroenterologists, Nordic NOIR will provide better access to national and Nordic collaborative partners and establish opportunities to plan new IBD studies in Norway and the Nordic region,” Høivik says.
A national steering committee and a patient advisory council will also be established.
Norway on the IBD map
Nordic NOIR has been initiated by IBD researchers from clinical environments at OUS, NTNU and Ahus, in collaboration with biostatisticians at UiO. All researchers with an interest in IBD are invited to participate in the network.“Our ambition is that better coordination and sharing of data, methods and expertise will result in more research on precision medicine, more cost-effective treatment, and better patient outcomes,” she says.
“In this way, Norway and the Nordic region will distinguish itself more clearly on the IBD map.”
The network was recently granted 1.75 million kroner (approximately 155 000 Euro) from the Research Council of Norway.