A roundup of NCMM’s annual Network Meeting 2017

A closer look at NCMM's recent annual Network Meeting at Oslo Science Park

NCMM associate investigators debate

Panel debate at NCMM Network meeting. Photo: Johannes Landskron

Centre for Molecular Medicine Norway (NCMM) held its annual Network Meeting at Oslo Science Park over 6 and 7 February.

The Network Meeting aims to bring together the scientific NCMM network from all over Norway, as well as Board members and other stakeholders. The meeting is designed to provide a setting where all members have the chance to catch up and share their expertise, news, and thoughts on the research landscape.

Following on from 2016’s inaugural Network meeting, where several outside speakers presented on more general topics, 2017’s invite-only event mostly saw speakers from within the NCMM network, giving more in-depth talks about their research and the landscape as a whole.

Per Seglen presenting
Per Seglen talking about autophagy. Photo: Johannes Landskron

The programme: Day One

Day one kicked off with an interesting talk from UiO’s Thomas Hylland Eriksen, that focused on the integration of international researchers into the Norwegian research culture. This was followed by short talks from NCMM guest researcher Per Seglen, NCMM Associate Investigators Anne Simonsen and NCMM Group Leader Irep Gözen on the Nobel Prizes in Medicine and Chemistry.

More in-depth scientific talks followed from NCMM Group Leader, Nikolina Sekulic on her work with understanding the factors governing the regulation of chromosomes, and how their order is maintained through cell division.

NCMM Associate Investigator Johanna Olweus continued with a closer look at her work in the exciting field of immunotherapy and personalized cancer treatments, and what the future might hold.

NCMM Young Associate Investigator Simona Chera, visiting from the University of Bergen, then presented her research on diabetes and mechanisms of cellular decay and regeneration, addressing the cell mechanisms that underlie the disease.

The day finished with three lively panel debates:

Personal career experiences

The panel discussed their personal career paths that have led them to where they are today. They spoke about the importance of career planning, and the necessity of taking opportunities to build up international networks where possible.

Genomic medicine and gene editing

This discussion revolved around the progress and developments in genomic sequencing currently taking place in new disease areas, and the potential of CRISPR in relation to gene editing. The panel discussed the challenging aspects of regulatory procedures, and the ethical and legal sides to this growing, and increasingly publicized, area.

Drug repurposing and personalized cancer treatment

This debate looked at the fast-moving developments within drug repurposing and personalized cancer treatments. The panel also discussed the impacts this field is having on clinical trial design, the safety aspects, and the ethical and legal implications of personalized treatments.

Guests chatting at NCMM meeting
 Photo: Johannes Landskron

The programme: Day two

Day Two of the event was an internal meeting, open only to NCMM Group Leaders, Associate Investigators (AIs) and Young Associate Investigators (YAIs).

NCMM has allocated 5 million NOK for funding concrete collaborative projects between NCMM Group Leaders and AIs/YAIs. Day two's sessions focused on allowing Group Leaders to connect with AIs and Young AIs, and initiate some discussions around current work to see if some common ground could be found where collaboration might be interesting.

The day started with an elevator pitch session, where each attendee was challenged with presenting their research in three-minute slots, and with limited slides. These presentations helped spark plenty of discussion in an informal ‘speed-dating’ session that followed.

NCMM would like to thank everyone who attended for coming and we look forward to welcoming you again for an exciting event in 2018!

 

 

Tags: NCMM, Events, Research communication By Elisa Bjørgo
Published Feb. 13, 2017 11:57 AM - Last modified Dec. 27, 2021 1:49 PM