GU-Journal 5-2023

GUJOURNAL INDEPENDENT STAFF MAGAZINE AT THE UNIVERSITY OF GOTHENBURG #5 NOVEMBER 2023

NEWS

Hopes for more EU-funding NEWS

Conference with focus on migration REPORT

Tjärnö research station celebrates 60 years

Innovative cancer treatment Roger Olofsson Bagge develops new method

Contents

18

Surgery where a body part is cut off to receive large amounts of chemotherapy.

Profile on Roger Olofss Bagge

News 04–14 04 More funding could go to GU. 07 Advice from Maria Grahn-Farley 08 Keep Applying for funds!

10 Jenny Nyström new dean at Sahlgrenska akademy.

12 Conference on migration.

14 Turn your ideas into a company.

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Report 15–17 15

Tjärnö celebrating 60 years.

Profile 18–21 18

Jenny Nyström is new dean at the Sahlgrenska Academy.

15

The Tjärnö marine laboratory celebrates its 60th anniversary.

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Meet cancer surgeon Roger Olofsson Bagge.

Vice-Chancellor

Masthead

Glimpses of knowledge in dark times ight now darkness is encroaching and unfortunately not just the usual autumn dusk.

In recent weeks, destructively violent forces in the form of war, acts of terrorism and brutal gang crime have characterized the news flow and our conversations. My generation has lived in a time when security and prosperity constantly have increased in Sweden and in the world. Hans Rosling's claim that news reporting emphasizes the negative, but that "most things get better", has given hope. But it gives little comfort when the news close-ups of injured and suffering children are painfully intrusive and at the

same time unreal. Those of us who grew up in a country that for a long time has been spared from war and insecurity find it difficult to take in and find an approach to what is happening both in the world and in our country.

The image of Sweden and the world today does not fit so well with our self-image. A cognitive dissonance arises within us, and I know that more people than I sometimes need to turn off the news and focus on the more manageable things we have close to us. In difficult times, knowledge from all different parts of the broad university is needed to understand, analyze, and manage what is happening. As glimmers of light, I glimpse the representatives of research in the news feed. I am extremely proud and happy to see that so many researchers from different parts of our university are stepping forward and contributing knowledge and analysis. A university for the world!

Vice-Chancellor MALIN BROBERG

GUJOURNAL The GU Journal has a free and independent position, is made according to journalistic principles.

Editor-in-chief: Allan Eriksson, temporarily on leave.

Editor: Eva Lundgren Phone: 031–786 10 81, e-mail: eva.lundgren@gu.se Photographer:

Johan Wingborg, Phone: 070–595 38 01, e-mail: johan.wingborg@gu.se Layout: Anders Eurén, Phone: 031–786 43 81, e-mail: anders.euren@gu.se Address: GU Journal,

University of Gothenburg, Box 100, 405 30 Gothenburg , Sweden.

E-mail: gu-journalen@gu.se Internet: gu-journalen.gu.se ISSN: 1402-9626

Working to receive more EU-funding ealth care that for the majority is simpler and cheaper, but where we can also afford the more complicated cases, that is Roger Olofsson Bagge’s vision for the future. His example is eye melanoma where half of those affected recover after treatment while the other half suffer fatal metastases, oddly enough in the liver. Today, it is not possible to distinguish those who need further treatment from those who recover, but perhaps such a method will come in the future.

Swedish universities must get better at receiving funding from the EU. Or, at least, that is what our government wants. In this issue, researchers at GU share their tips and thoughts on how GU could get more funding from EU and Horizon Europe.

On November 22–24 the OMICS conference will be held in Gothenburg. The conference deals with immigration and integration and is primarily aimed at researchers. But also people with personal experience of migration participate. Hopefully, the conference will lead to new insights on how migrants with different backgrounds can become part of society.

The Tjärnö laboratory celebrates 60 years. The field station has developed into an international center with world-leading research. In this issue, we present part of the center’s history.

We hope that you will enjoy this issue of GU Journal!

Eva Lundgren

GUJOURNAL NOVEMBER 2023

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News

More EU funding could go to GU not part of Horizon Europe and was therefore unable to compete for funds. However, as of a few months ago, there is a new agreement with the United Kingdom which means that they are again welcome as part of the collaboration.

But the University of Gothenburg has the capacity to be even better at obtaining EU funding, says Henrik Lindskog.

Sweden intends to increase its share of granted funding from Horizon Europe by 10 percent, in accordance with the government’s strategy from 2020.

Beginning this year, the universities must also submit annual reports on how they contribute to achieving this goal.

– The University of Gothenburg is seventh in Sweden in terms of obtaining EU funding.

But we have the potential to do much better, says Henrik Lindskog at the Grants and Innovation Office.

THE HORIZON EUROPE

framework programme runs from 2021–2027. Now that one third of that period has passed, Lund University has been granted no less than 72.5 million euros, which makes it by far the most successful university in Sweden; it is also the university that applies for the most funding. Uppsala University has been granted 54.5 million euros and Stockholm University 36.8 million.

The University of Gothenburg has obtained 31.1 million euros and is just ahead of Linköping University, explains Henrik Lindskog, Head of Research Grants at the Grants and Innovation Office.

– THE UNIVERSITY IS more

successful when it comes to individual ERC and Marie Sklodowska-Curie grants rather than major multi-partner projects. But the differences between the faculties are considerable. The Faculty of Science has had the most

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Henrik Lindskog believes that GU could invest more in getting EU funding.

»It is important to cultivate good contacts with colleagues whose judgement and knowledge you value and trust.« Ali Harandi

funds granted, closely followed by Sahlgrenska Academy.

Lund University has been granted 117 applications within Horizon Europe, compared with the University of Gothenburg's 64 applications.

Nevertheless, the University of Gothenburg has received an unusually large number of grants over the past two years, says Henrik Lindskog.

– So far this year, we have received 30 grants and since another 11 are in the pipeline, it is looking really good.

One reason for the result is probably that, due to Brexit, the United Kingdom was

– WHEN IT COMES TO other external research funding that the University of Gothenburg brings in, we are much more successful. When we look at the total grant income at research level for the SLUG (Stockholm, Lund, Uppsala and Gothenburg) universities, we receive 21 percent, but only manage to get 15 percent of the funding that comes from the EU's framework programme. So every year we miss out on perhaps around SEK 50 million in research funding that it should be possible for us to obtain.

There could be many reasons why the University of Gothenburg's researchers apply less than researchers in Lund, for example, explains Henrik Lindskog.

– BUT THE REASON cannot be

that the departments cannot afford it. All EU projects are fully funded: The EU provides up to 25 percent of the overhead costs, but the other percent is shared centrally by the University of Gothenburg together with the faculties.

Maybe the researchers think it's complicated, isn't sufficiently beneficial from a career perspective, or maybe they don't have a very good

Share of funding (2022–2023) Photo: ÖREBRO UNIVERSITET

EU framework program

Uppsala University

University of Gothenburg

Total grant incomes

Uppsala University

University of Gothenburg

Stockholm University Lund University

Stockholm University Lund University

Sofia Strid

network in Europe. Whatever the reasons, it's a shame that the University of Gothenburg doesn't invest more effort into obtaining funding from the EU, because there is a lot of research funding on offer there.

Ali Harandi, Associate Professor in Clinical Immunology and Director of the Vaccine Laboratory at the Institute of Biomedicine, has received EU funding in various rounds over the course of 15 years.

Two projects were completed in September, three more are ongoing.

He has several pieces of advice for researchers applying for EU funding. Among other things, he believes that it is important to have established good networks even before applying for funding from the EU, and to ensure that you are visible in the research community in Europe and internationally.

– It is important to cultivate good contacts with colleagues whose judgement and knowledge you value and trust. You cannot run an EU project by yourself, you have to have a team with whom to collaborate. But it is also important to pay attention to which investments are underway, so that you can act quickly when a suitable announcement is made.

A very specific example was during the Ebola outbreak in 2015 when the European Commission made a major

Granted research funds Horizon Europe (2022–2023) Amount in € Lund University Royal Institute of Technology Uppsala University Karolinska Institute Chalmers University of Technology Stockholm University University of Gothenburg Linköping University Swedish University of Agricultural sciences

Umeå University

Ali Harandi

investment to develop a safe and effective vaccine, says Ali Harandi.

– THE CALL WAS OPEN for just

two weeks and we, a group of vaccine experts, had to act quickly to get together to complete an application in record time. We worked 10 hours a day and took turns writing around the clock. By doing this, we managed to put together an application that turned out to be successful.

The project received a whop-

ping 8 million euros, which was followed by another Ebola vaccine application that received a total budget of 15 million euros.

Even if Ali Harandi is successful, it is much more common for him to have an application rejected than to have it granted.

– But then you just have to apply again. For me, it helps to see the application as a journey, not a destination.

During the journey, I have a number of fruitful meetings with interesting colleagues with whom I exchange thoughts and ideas. If the application goes through, that's great, of course, but if it doesn't, at least I've had an exciting time together with other researchers, and also perhaps created a foundation that can be used in the next application.

Another way to increase

your chances is to be part of one of the committees that evaluate the research projects that come in, Ali Harandi believes.

– This way you get an insight into the process and even better knowledge of what the EU thinks is important.

Sofia Strid, Associate Professor in gender studies and university lecturer in sociology, has received EU funding in several calls since 2007. She currently leads four projects and participates in two more under EU H2020 and EU Horizon Europe. She believes that an EU application can seem overwhelmingly complicated the first time you do it.

– WRITING AN application is

extremely time-consuming and difficult for those who do not know how the European research system works. One way to lower the threshold is GUJOURNAL NOVEMBER 2023

→ 5

News News

»It requires a special kind of talent to get all the participants to support the project and feel confident that the project will be successful.« Per Sunnerhagen

→ to collaborate with a consorti-

um with experience of granted applications. In this way, you gain insights into what an EU project entails without having to do everything yourself. This requires time and resources for networking and collaboration, so that researchers have the opportunity to participate and to organize their own activities where potential partners are invited.

IT IS GOOD TO BUILD a core

team comprising a handful of people with whom you like to work, and then expand the team with additional skills, says Sofia Strid.

– The Grants and Innovation Office provides good support when it comes to translating the project budget into GU's budget system, but then, once the project is underway, an enormous amount of administrative work is put on the individual researcher.

Good support, which reduces the administrative burden and enables the researcher to be just a researcher, needs to be expanded either centrally

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or at departmental level.

The University of Copenhagen, which is the fifth most successful applicant after four British universities, has conducted a survey of what makes an application successful, says Sofia Strid.

– They identified three things: that the university management clearly focuses and prioritizes EU funding in both speech and action, the university's financial incentive program where the university gives researchers an independent pot of money to employ a postdoctoral fellow or doctoral student, as well as extra grants for conferences, travel and similar. In this way, the management signals that EU applications are important. The third success factor was a generally highly qualified staff of senior researchers, including a large number of internationally recruited researchers.

BY FAR THE MOST successful department at the University of Gothenburg in terms of EU grants is the Department

of Chemistry and Molecular Biology. It is largely due to one man, namely Stefan Hohmann, Professor of Microbiology. This is what Per Sunnerhagen, Professor of Molecular Biology, tells us.

– He organized conferences, created networks, applied for EU grants and started postgraduate courses. Unfortunately, he passed away two years ago, so it is now our responsibility to make good use of all the contacts and talented employees who have come here over the years, and to further develop the good working relationship.

WHAT STEFAN HOHMANN

was particularly good at was coordinating major projects with researchers from perhaps five to six international universities, Per Sunnerhagen explains.

– It requires a special kind of talent to get all the participants to support the project and feel confident that the project will be successful. In order to get people to collaborate in a positive way, it is

advantageous if they already know each other, although it is important to make new contacts as well. So networking and good relationships with other researchers are extremely important.

AN APPLICATION should also be prepared well in advance, perhaps as early as a year in advance, so that the participants get a good picture of what they want, have time to contact suitable partners and coordinate a collaboration, says Per Sunnerhagen.

– Researchers who are considering applying for EU funding should perhaps start by talking to someone who has already received a grant; the process will go much faster than if you have to figure everything out for yourself.

Furthermore, there are good advisers at the Grants and Innovation Office, make good use of them!

Text: Eva Lundgren Photo: Johan Wingborg

Some advice from a coordinator MARIA GRAHN-FARLEY is the coordinator for HR Just: States’ Practices of Human Rights Justifications: A study in civil society engagement and human rights through the lens of gender and intersectionality that has received 3 million euros in funding from Horizon Europe. It is by far the largest project any legal institution in Sweden has ever undertaken.

Her advice is as follows: – Identify how much the university wants to invest – the percentage of the return on successful bids. This is an

important KPI – for example if the Horizon has a 30 percent rate (that 30 percent of proposals are successful in the Horizon) then GU might accept a 15 percent return on submitted bids – until they have developed experience on how to get grants – when they have the experience, they might want to place it at 30 percent to be aligned with the grant itself.

– TO CONNECT THE proposal support phase with the postawards phase – it must be the same people doing both

because the proposal directly correlates to the post-award phase – on the EU side it is the same people following the project from its selection to its final day as a project.

– TO HAVE STIPENDS and promotion and reward systems in place supporting the application proposal phase to each individual researcher.

There must be some form of financial support to write the grant – for example to create the layout, the design, the language editing – this is today missing.

– To allow for external grant writing support – this so that there is constantly new knowledge streaming into the grant office.

– The over-head in all Swedish universities almost takes us out of any competitions – the OH is 25 percent in most other countries and Sweden usually has 50 percent – we are too expensive to have as major partners in any EU project.

Photo: Johan Wingborg

GUJOURNAL NOVEMBER 2023

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News

Keep applying for funds!

Lund University is the most successful in terms of EU applications of all the universities in Sweden. In the years 2022–2023, Lund University drew in a whopping 72.5 million euros from the Horizon Europe framework programme, compared with the University of Gothenburg's 31.1 million euros.

– I have no particular advice to offer.

But a prerequisite for obtaining funding is, of course, to apply, explains Per Mickwitz, Pro Vice-Chancellor of Lund University.

HORIZON EUROPE encompas-

ses many different types of support. There are individual ERC grants awarded to successful researchers, Marie Sklodowska-Curie Actions and financing of major international projects and infrastructure. Lund University is successful in all these areas. Among other things, the university has received the first ERC Star-

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ting Grant that has ever been awarded to a researcher at a legal institution in Sweden, says Per Mickwitz.

– ONE REASON FOR our

success is probably that our researchers are very active when it comes to applying for EU funding. Some teams have also been applying for many years and therefore know exactly how to go about it.

Perhaps even more important is that they disseminate their knowledge, which shows a great commitment on the part of the researchers.

Lund University also has an excellent and highly valued research service, Per Mickwitz explains.

– MANAGEMENT IS also

important. For example, our research strategy states that we shall promote and support applications, not least from Horizon Europe, and our goal is to become a leader in Sweden in terms of participation in the EU's framework programme.

One way to increase your chances of getting funding is

» ... at a conference, you could take the opportunity to find out about people who already have an EU-project that might align with your own area ...« Per Mickwitz

to work internationally and create networks even before it is time to apply for funding.

– FOR EXAMPLE, at a con-

ference, you could take the opportunity to find out about people who already have an EU project that might align with your own area of research and to which you could contribute. It is also good to be generous; if you find out about a project that doesn't suit you, you might be able to pass the contact information on to someone who would benefit more from it. That help might

be reciprocated in the future.

Many researchers hesitate when it comes to applying for funding from the EU because it seems so complicated, Per Mickwitz explains.

– But it doesn't have to be that much more difficult than applying for funding from Swedish financiers. The grant rate varies, but sometimes it is higher than that of our national donors.

ONE ADVANTAGE of EU fun-

ding is that it is more secure than Swedish funding.

– We have seen that the government can suddenly decide to withdraw funding for, for example, development research. That kind of rapid change does not happen within the EU. However, the main advice from Per Mickwitz is to actually apply for EU funding.

– So far, no one has received EU funding who did not apply, so try and try again.

Text: Eva Lundgren Photo: Charlotte Carlberg Bärg

Facts/ → Horisont Europa The European R ­ esearch ­Council's new framework ­programme for research and innovation is applicable for the period 2021–2027. The pro­ gramme is based on three ­pillars, ­aimed at – scientific excellence (indivi­ dual ERC grants to outstanding junior and senior researchers, the Marie Sklodowska-Curie ­Actions as well as investments in European infrastructure).

– global challenges and Euro­ pean industrial competitiveness divided into six clusters: health; culture, creativity and ­inclusive societies; civil security; digi­ tal matters, industry and space; ­climate, energy and mobility­ as well as food, bioeconomy, ­natural resources, agriculture and the environment.

– the innovative Europe that will stimulate market-making break­ throughs and ecosystems that facilitate innovation.

The budget is 75.9 billion e ­ uros.

Forte, Formas, the Swedish National Space Agency, the Swedish Energy Agency, the Swedish Research Council and Vinnova have drawn up a ­strategy for Swedish partici­ pation in Horizon Europe. The goals of the strategy Gathering Power for Horizon Europe are as follows: – to ensure that Sweden is among the top participants in terms of granted applications.

– to ensure that Sweden recei­ ves at least 3.7 percent of the ­total funding being granted.

– to ensure that Swedish stake­ holders are internationally com­ petitive and attractive partners.

According to the spending ­authorization for the budget year 2023, Swedish higher education institutions must report what ini­ tiatives have been deemed rele­ vant and have been undertaken for the public body to contri­ bute to the goals stated in the national strategy for Swedish participation in Horizon Europe 2021–2027.

Per Mickwitz thinks it is important to keep applying for funds, and not give up.

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Jenny Nyström new dean at Sahlgrenska Academy National and international competitiveness in all areas, education of the highest quality, an inclusive work and study environment and responsible leadership – these were some of the goals that Jenny Nyström, Professor of Physiology, raised during a hearing at the Wallenberg Conference Centre on 6 October.

She is the new dean at Sahlgrenska Academy.

OTHER GOALS ARE about clear

career paths for all categories of employees, good relations with the outside world – both locally, nationally and internationally – and about being a visible leader and moulder of public opinion in society.

But Jenny Nyström also pointed out several challenges, for example an uncertain economic environment, increased rental costs and competition.

– Instead of competing internally, we should turn our efforts outwards so that we get major infrastructure investments here in Gothenburg as well. The faculty also needs to review its influence over university-wide issues and get involved when it comes to recruiting both employees and students.

ADDITIONAL CHALLENGES are

external grants that require co-financing. Rapid AI development and digitalization as well as the societal and political view of freedom in research and education were also areas Jenny Nyström highlighted.

Success requires a focus on development, both internally

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and externally, she pointed out.

– We must create the best possible conditions for our core activities, develop dialogue and participation throughout the organization and improve the work of management. But we must also be more visible in the national debate and strengthen our important partnerships, for example with Sahlgrenska University Hospital, Chalmers and with Life Science and medical technology in the region.

Collaboration between basic, translational and clinical research must be facilitated, and access to both national and local infrastructure must be improved, said Jenny Nyström.

– And even if our researchers are successful in terms of external grants, it is possible to be even better, not least in terms of EU funding. Today we also have a complex set of regulations

»Instead of competing internally, we should turn our efforts outwards so that we get major infrastructure investments here in Gothenburg as well.« Jenny Nyström

where the individual researcher may require additional support.

In education, Jenny Nyström emphasized the importance of well-trained teachers, an inclusive environment, more wide-ranging recruitment and increased internationalization.

– I WOULD ALSO LIKE to invest

in new master's courses in our areas of strength, which could provide unique expertise.

Student influence is also important, Jenny Nyström pointed out.

– I myself have studied in Lund, where the different nations contribute to the study social environment among the students. I understand that it is not so easy for students to make time for various meetings in committees and councils, especially as many people today also work in parallel with their studies to af-

Jenny → Nyström About: Jenny Nyström Currently: New dean of Sahlgrenska ­Academy.

ford all costs. Gothenburg is not a cheap student city and student housing is lacking. Maybe we in the management will have to be better at disseminating information to the student body, so that they get the information they need to familiarize themselves with important issues and be involved in making decisions.

A CHALLENGE FOR the faculty

is that an increasing number of students lack the prior knowledge required to pass the courses. Students who drop out of courses constitute a failure on a personal level, but also cause problems for the departments as they fail to achieve their educational mission. If the faculty has to pay back grants, it may result in a reduction in the number of positions, explained Jenny Nyström.

– Since our educations lead

professions that involve responsibility for people's lives and health, the solution cannot be to lower the requirements.

Instead, we must find new ways to support students early in their education, for example by teaching study techniques.

Perhaps we also need to think about which students we admit.

Proficiency tests could be a way to capture talented students who, for various reasons, did not receive the highest grades.

Jenny Nyström also highlighted doctoral students and the importance of them having a good psychosocial environment.

– Career planning should be encouraged early on in postgraduate education so that our postgraduate students know what goals they are aiming for.

Jenny Nyström's presentation ended with questions from the audience.

Background: Under­ graduate studies in Lund, PhD at the Uni­ versity of Gothenburg, postdoctoral fellow at the Albert Einstein­ College of Medicine in New York, Profes­ sor of Physiology at GU, Head of Depart­ ment at the Institute of Neuro­science and ­Physiology. Has super­ vised 13 PhD students to doctoral disserta­ tions and has three more PhD students in the pipeline. Her ­research area is kidney disease, including the disease IgA-nephro­ pathy. She has also been involved in star­ ting a small pharma­ ceutical company in the area of kidney ­cancer which now has its first product in clinical ­phase I/II trials.

Lives in: Brottkär.

Hobbies: F ­ amily, ­horses and riding, cooking, forest and sea.

Among other things, Karin Ahlberg, Head of Department at the Institute of Health and Care Sciences, wondered how the faculty will manage combined services when care is changed from acute care to local care.

– The combined services act as bridges between academia and healthcare, and are important both for our collaboration with healthcare providers and for our clinical relevance, so it's something I hope we can continue to focus on. We now also have a partnership agreement with the municipality of Gothenburg which is the next step in patient-centred care, which of course is very exciting, Jenny Nyström explained.

JOVANNA DAHLGREN, Head of Department at the Institute of Clinical Sciences, wondered what is happening with Sahlgrenska Life.

– The University of Gothenburg has turned down the property owner Virtarte's lease proposal, which means that Västfastigheter has taken over the project. But my attitude is that Sahlgrenska Academy together with the University of Gothenburg should follow through on the declaration of intent that was made. The prerequisite is, of course, that ultimately the agreement will be at a reasonable level for our business, Jenny Nyström explained.

Text: Eva Lundgren Photo: Johan Wingborg GUJOURNAL NOVEMBER 2023

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Looking for ­answers about migration Despite the fact that more people than ever before are displaced around the world, there is still a lack of knowledge about migration. On November 22–24, researchers from near and far will meet once again for the OMICS Conference to present new findings about immigration and integration over the course of three intensive days in Gothenburg. The hope is to spread information and facts about one of the most critical issues of our time.

CONFLICTS, natural disasters and economic insecurity. These are some of the factors that result in an increasing number of people being forced to leave their homes and seek refuge elsewhere.

The number of refugees exceeded 100 million for the first time at the end of 2022, according to a report by the UN refugee agency UNHCR. A total of 108.4 million people were then either refugees, asylum seekers or so-called internal refugees, which is being a refugee in one's home country.

UNHCR also points to a clear trend where more people are being forced to leave their homes due to natural disasters. 32.6 mil-

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»The organization of the labour market is crucial for people to be able to integrate into a new society and for the migration that takes place around the world to be sustainable in the long term.« Andrea Spehar

lion of people who migrate are those that are affected by floods, earthquakes, droughts or storms.

At the same time, new threats are intensifying, increasing the risk of people being forced to flee. The continuing conflict in the Democratic Republic of Congo and Sudan, widespread violence in Myanmar, continued insecurity and drought in Somalia, the war in Ukraine and now also a flare-up of the conflict in Israel-Palestine.

THE FACT THAT we humans

have migrated in different ways throughout the ages is part of humanity's DNA. That is according to Andreas Diedrich, Professor of Management and Organization at the School of Business, Economics and Law.

– The difference is that today we have greater opportunities than before to manage and organize these movements of people in a sustainable and humane way.

As the number of refugees increases, so does the need to exchange knowledge with researchers around the world who can

a complex issue. When researchers can exchange knowledge from, for example, law, sociology, health sciences and pedagogy, we can get new information that can be disseminated, says Andreas Diedrich.

OMICS 2023 is primarily aimed at researchers, but Andreas Diedrich thinks it is important

»These questions are very much for every­ one, and it is really important to get the research out into the real world in order for it to ­influence­ society and ­policymakers.« Andreas Diedrich

Andreas Diedrich believes that it is important that many experiences are included during the conference.

contribute with their experience of how other countries organize the reception of migrants, integration projects and the opportunity for new arrivals to enter the workforce.

ON THE 22–24 November, it will once again be time for the Organizing Migration and Integration in Contemporary Societies (OMICS) Conference. In 2019, OMICS gathered around 200 researchers from different parts of the world, and the organizers expect a good turnout this year as well.

– OMICS 2023 will bring together researchers from Taiwan, Canada, Ghana and Austria, among other countries. What makes this conference unique in Sweden is that we have an interdisciplinary basis. It is important because organizing migration and integration is such

that many people who work with migration issues or who are themselves new arrivals in Sweden or former migrants participate in the conference.

– We want to promote a lively discourse. These questions are very much for everyone, and it is really important to get the research out into the real world in order for it to influence society and policymakers.

ANDREAS DIEDRICH also believes that this type of research is enriched by the fact that you get insights from employees within municipalities and various public bodies, but also company managers and others who are active in the business world, because many questions about integration impact working life.

Something with which Andrea Spehar agrees. She is Associate Professor in Political Science

and Director of the Centre on Global Migration, which together with the School of Business, Economics and Law is organizing OMICS 2023.

– At OMICS 2023, the focus is on the organization within the labour market, and then, of course, we need stakeholders from the labour market who can contribute with their experience.

The organization of the labour market is crucial for people to be able to integrate into a new society and for the migration that takes place around the world to be sustainable in the long term.

Although a lot of focus in our part of the world is on people making it to Europe, it is mainly outside the West that we see the major migration flows. Andrea Spehar therefore sees it as very positive that many researchers at this year's OMICS come from countries far beyond the EU's borders.

– IN THIS WAY, we can share their knowledge about how different states organize and regulate migration flows, and how the labour market is adapted to handle this.

Something that is a common problem is the polarization that occurs if new arrivals end up on the margins of society. It is something that we see all around the world, she says.

The international attendance is one of the strengths of OMICS 2023, Andreas Diedrich argues: – We are very happy that so many non-European researchers are coming to OMICS 2023.

For example, more studies on migration have been initiated in countries such as Kenya and Bangladesh. And we can learn a lot from the experience of others, not least now when we are starting to see how climate change is creating new challenges and refugee flows.

→

Facts: Information och ­ nmälan till OMICS 2023: a https://www.gu.se/en/schoolbusiness-economics-law/gri/ welcome-to-omics-2023.

Text: Agnes Faxén Photo: Johan Wingborg GUJOURNAL NOVEMBER 2023

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Your ideas may become a company!

– Being the head of a start-up company is not that different from being a researcher. It entails hard work and constantly chasing new results. But it also gives you a lot of freedom and tremendous opportunities.

These are the words of Mikael Funa, who wants to encourage more researchers to think about commercializing their results.

– You can decide how much you want to get involved. Maybe you want to be a co-owner and sit on the board, maybe you mostly want to be a scientific advisor.

Regardless of which, the longterm goal is to contribute to the development of society.

BEING THE COMPANY manager

MIKAEL FUNA has been a

business developer at GU Ventures for two years now, with the IT and tech industry as his specialist area.

Most of GU Ventures companies are within Life Science.

But since new technology is ubiquitous today, it is an area that is experiencing rapid progress. It involves data/cybersecurity, drone technology, robots and financial technology. Developments related to AI and ChatGPT, as well as various so-called Large Language Models are just some examples of how incredibly fast the field is developing. And at both Chalmers and the University of Gothenburg, there is a lot of interesting research going on in the area.

NSS WATER, which produces nanopure water for the semiconductor industry, and Talkamatic, which creates dialogue systems so that man and machine can talk to each other, are the companies for which Mikael Funa is currently the business developer. But he is convinced that there are many more potential entrepreneurs among the researchers at the University of Gothenburg.

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Mikael Funa wants to inspire new entrepreneurs.

– I'm often out meeting people, especially at the IT Faculty and the School of Business, Economics and Law. Of course, not everyone is interested in starting a business.

But once I start talking to a researcher, who enthusiastically tells me about their project, an idea may appear that I point out could be developed commercially; it might involve an algorithm, a codebase or a new way of analysing images.

Even researchers who do not see themselves as potential entrepreneurs can become curious and start thinking along these lines.

WHAT IS SO GOOD about the innovation system in Sweden and at a regional level such as in Gothenburg, is that the individual researcher does not need to know anything about running a company, Mikael Funa explains.

– You just have to contact GU Ventures or the Grants and

»Even researchers who do not see themselves as potential entrepreneurs can become curious.« Mikael Funa

Innovation Office and we will help you. We start by testing and verifying the idea, which means, among other things, that we examine whether the idea is unique, its potential, whether it can be scaled up and whether it could be successful globally. A big advantage is that we have all the expertise under one roof: law, finance, IP, commercialization and, in particular, access to venture capital.

The University of Gothenburg's innovation model is based on the researcher being able to continue their research even as an entrepreneur, says Mikael Funa.

of a small start-up is quite similar to being a researcher, Mikael Funa points out.

– It is important to achieve results, make quick decisions, keep up with developments, attract investors, find customers, generate interest. This means a lot of uncertainty and a lot of work. But as the head of a small company, you also have a lot of freedom to set the agenda yourself, and unexpected opportunities can emerge.

It is something that a lot more people should try, especially as there is so much help and support along the way.

ABOUT COMMERCIALIZATION:

Do you have an idea that could be commercialized?

Contact GU Ventures (GUV) or the Grants and Innovation Office.

All researchers, regardless of discipline, are welcome to contact the Grants and Innovation Office and GU Ventures.

You will find more information on the Staff Portal and at www.guventures.com.

Text: Eva Lundgren Photo: GU Ventures

Facts: Contact GU Ventu­ → res or the Grants and Innovation Office at GU for more informa­ tion.

Report

From guesthouse to research station

The Tjärnö Laboratory celebrates 60 years Each year, hundreds of students come to the ­University’s research station at Tjärnö to learn about the sea. There are boats, well-equipped labs and modern lecture halls. But it all started in an old, ­closed-down guesthouse.

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Report

From the marina you hear the sounds of laughter. A group of upper-secondary school students in red life jackets are waiting to board the Nereus research vessel. Indoors, in the large wet-lab on the second floor, students from the course on Marine Biodiversity are learning to recognise various macro algae. In the restaurant, employees are gathering for the joint 10-o’clock “fika”. Today, Marlene Jahnke is offering everyone apple pie – in celebration of a major research grant from Formas!

It is Friday at the end of September at the Tjärnö Marine Laboratory. Sixty years ago, the first students disembarked on the island to attend a summer course in marine biology. The University of Gothenburg used to hold their field courses on an old ship that sailed along the coast between Lysekil and Strömstad.

But in the summer of 1963, the ship was severely damaged by fire and they looked for an alternative.

They opted for the closed-down Furuhöjd Guesthouse, a white two-storey villa on Tjärnö in northern Bohuslän. The area was considered ideal for students of marine biology with the deep Koster fjord outside, and with the local fishermen’s excellent knowledge of where to find corals and other marine creatures exotic to Sweden.

One young student who worked as an assistant teacher was Lars Afzelius.

In an interview with the GU Journal in 1999, he talked about his time at the Furuhöjd Guesthouse: "Everything took place in the guesthouse canteen. When it was time to eat, we moved the microscopes to another room and brought them back again afterwards. Animals and plants that we collected at sea were kept in tubs in the garden. And at night, foxes came and ate all the animals."

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Tjärnö is an international station.

»We are known ­ throughout the world.« KERSTIN JOHANNESSON

After a couple of years, the university wanted to establish a more permanent presence and the government purchased the Furuhöjd Guesthouse. At the time, Stockholm University was also looking for a location for their field courses. The solution was to turn the guesthouse into a joint field station called the Tjärnö Marine Zoological Station. Lars Afzelius was appointed director, and a prawn boat was leased as the station’s vessel, with three brothers from the island who were fishermen serving as its crew.

Under Lars Afzelius’s management, the field station grew. Studying marine biology was popular, the student body grew and researchers started showing an interest in the station. The primitive conditions in the guesthouse eventually became unsustainable. Lars Afzelius had a talent for raising money, and slowly but surely the station expanded, first a laboratory wing, later a canteen, their own ship, workshop buildings, boathouses, aquarium and eventually a lecture hall.

Today, Kerstin ­Johannesson,­Professor at the Department of Marine Sciences, is the director of the Tjärnö Laboratory.

After studying marine biology, she was one of the first to do her doctoral project at Tjärnö. Up until 1975 research at the station was "banned" as it was intended only for teaching – even if there was some research being conducted on the quiet, she tells us, – We were a group of young researchers who wanted to work at Tjärnö all year round. Lars Afzelius did not only build a physical workplace, but also created a

social setting that was very appealing and attracted researchers and students alike.

A “Tjärnö Spirit” where you worked to realise your own research dreams but also to promote the facility as a whole.

Allowing research at the field station turned out to be a good move. Over the years, several major research projects have been conducted with the station as their base. Pure basic research within evolution and chemical ecology, but also more applied research such as projects within aquaculture and underwater documentation and, more recently, restoration of eelgrass and coral reefs.

– Thanks to these major projects, researchers have been able to contribute to the hiring of new doctoral students and postdocs, as well as to financing equipment and other infrastructure, says Kerstin Johannesson.

Today, the small Furuhöjd Guesthouse has expanded to become a workplace for close to 70 people, including professors and doctoral students, visiting researchers, captains, lab engineers, cooks and other support staff. Several researchers have an international background and work at Tjärnö for long or short periods during their career.

The research contributes to elevating

the teaching conducted at the station, Kerstin Johannesson finds. Researchers and doctoral students lead parts of courses, and supervise projects and master’s students. Besides the University of Gothenburg, other universities in Sweden and Europe regularly book field courses at Tjärnö.

– We are known throughout the world, and it is not only because of our strategic location, but also because of the world-leading research being conducted within certain fields, says Kerstin Johannesson.

At the end of December Kerstin Johannesson will be stepping down as director. There is no doubt that the Tjärnö research station will continue to play an important role: – Many of the students today are skilled at modelling and analysing data, but they sometimes have very lacklustre knowledge about common species and their biology. Here, they get to encounter marine wildlife and algae in their natural environment, and they are able to conduct studies that would be impossible at most universities. This is what puts Tjärnö in such an important position, both now and in the future.

Text and photos: Susanne Liljenström

Facts The Tjärnö Marine Laboratory is a marine research station at the University of Gothenburg. It houses well-equipped laboratories, boats and an advanced salt-water system for conducting experiments on living organisms. Research of the highest international standard is conducted at the station and each year, hundreds of ­students­come here to attend courses and carry out their degree projects. In the summer, it is open to the public and for the rest of the year school classes and other groups are welcome to book visits.

1963 The first course in marine ­biology is held at the Furuhöjd Guesthouse, also called “Panget”.

1965 The Tjärnö ­Marine Zoological Station is established, jointly run by the universities of Gothenburg and Stockholm.

1969 The first dedicated course building is erected, with lecture hall and laboratories.

The lecturing is transferred from “Panget” but the students still live and eat there.

1974 The station changes its name to Tjärnö Marine Biological Laboratory.

New methods and new researchers continue to make Tjärnö a world leading marine lab.

Photos: JOHAN WINGBORG

1982 A major extension is added, with ­living quarters, canteen, boathouses and official accommodation. It is inaugurated by the Swedish King.

1983 The old prawn boat Virgo is replaced with the current research vessel, Nereus.

1985 The first version of the Tjärnö ­Aquarium­ is constructed and public-facing operations undergo further development.

1995 The Furuhöjd Guesthouse is demolished and the W ­ hite residence, which can accommodate 48 guests, is erected in its place.

1996 The Tjärnö Laboratory is designated a Regional ­K nowledge­ Centre, a so-called Centre of Excellence with support from the European Union.

1999 Lars Afzelius­ steps down as ­director. He is re­ placed the following year by Kerstin ­Johannesson.

2004 The Tjärnö ­Laboratory is one of the first units at the University of Gothenburg to be environmentally certified in accordance with ISO 14001 and EMAS. 2008 The Tjärnö Laboratory becomes a unit under the Sven Lovén Centre for ­Marine Sciences.

Stockholm ­ University leaves as joint operator but ­continues to lease premises.

2018 The Department of Marine Sciences takes over operations and the following year its name changes to the Tjärnö Marine ­Laboratory.

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Profile

Boosting the immune system Several times a day, Roger Olofsson Bagge takes the footbridge between the surgery department at Sahlgrenska University Hospital and the lab at Medicinareberget.

The bridge is part of his physical reality but also part of his mental – it connects his research and teaching work with his position as a senior physician and cancer surgeon.

Text: Eva Lundgren Photo: Johan Wingborg

One of the areas Roger Olofsson Bagge works with is

isolated hyperthermic perfusion, a treatment which Sahlgrenska University Hospital is among the 2–3 best in the world at performing. The body part affected by cancer, usually an arm, a leg or the liver, is surgically isolated from the rest of the body and receives blood supply via a heart-lung machine. For about an hour, a lethal dose of chemotherapy is flushed through the isolated body part, then the toxins are washed away, and the body part is reconnected to the rest of the body.

– In around 70 percent of the patients, the tumors disappear. Unfortunately, after a number of years, it is possible that the tumors return. Our hope is therefore to develop the method further so that it definitely cures the patient. Sahlgrenska University Hospital is today the only Nordic hospital that performs this type of surgery. As such, our patients come from all over the Nordic region but also from other parts of the world.

It was chief physician Jan Mattsson who taught Roger Olofsson Bagge the method which he has then refined further. Together with some colleagues, he is now also investigating how the treatment can be even more effective by combining it with modern immunotherapy.

– In 2018, James P. Allison and Tasuku Honjo received the Nobel Prize for their discoveries of a kind of brake pedal on the surface of white blood cells, the so-called T cells, which are part of our immune system.

The brake pedals can be turned off with special antibodies, which makes the T cells more effective. In the research that some colleagues and I are engaged in, we combine the perfusion treatment with these new drugs.

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In addition, we take biopsies and blood samples from patients at the hospital, which we then examine in the lab so we can create new clinical studies for even more effective treatments. Constantly taking information from patients to lab, conducting basic research, and then taking the findings back to the patients, is what translational research is about.

And perhaps the perfusion method could be useful

when tackling other diseases as well? For instance, ­Roger Olofsson Bagge is interested in eye melanoma, which affects around eighty Swedes a year. After local treatment of the tumor, either by radiation or by surgery, about half of the patients become completely well again.

But after a few years, the other half develop fatal metastases in the liver.

– But why in the liver? There are no known connections between the eye and the liver, so it is a mystery.

In the so-called SANDIUM-study, we have treated these patients with liver perfusion with very good results.

And a few months ago, the American Food and Drug Administration approved this as a treatment. Even more exciting might be to give liver perfusion preventively, that is, already before the metastases reach the liver. But then of course we need to know who these patients are.

»In this way, we can get health care that for the majority is simpler and cheaper, but where we can also afford the expensive special cases.« ROGER OLOFSSON BAGGE

The only effective treatment for metastatic eye mela­ noma available today, the drug Tebentafusp, extends life by barely six months and is so expensive that it cannot be obtained through Swedish healthcare.

– The fact that our healthcare system refuses treatment is a new situation for us in Sweden, but one that will become more common as healthcare becomes more specialized. But in the future perhaps we will also stop overtreating patients. Eye melanoma is an example: If we could sort out the 50 percent who are not at risk of liver metastases, we could invest all the more in those who really need treatment. In this way, we could get healthcare that for the majority is simpler and cheaper, but where we can also afford the expensive special cases.

A completely different area that Roger Olofsson ­ agge­devotes himself to, is how cells talk to each other.

B About 15 years ago, Jan Lötvall, professor of ­Clinical­Allergology at the Sahlgrenska Academy, showed that the exosomes that the body release – nano-sized bubbles – are not just junk but information packages.

– It is as though the cells send letters to each other.

On the bubble surface, there is a protein with sender and receiver. Inside, there is the message. The information can, for example, help the immune system, but it can also be something harmful. Interestingly, exosomes seem to be able to control where tumors metastasize.

For example, when exosomes from tumor cells were injected into the left leg of mice, and then the tumor was injected in the right leg, the metastases developed in the left leg! The big question is how we can break the mail line or modify the message, so that the cancer does not spread.

The human being consists of a whole world of cells that must work together, says Roger Olofsson Bagge.

– What bothers me is that no one much earlier has understood how cells communicate in an advanced way, people must have wondered! Today, research on exosomes is one of the fastest growing areas in medicine, which should call for caution: when very many researchers become interested in an unexplored area, the risk of incorrect results is high. I am lucky to have very good and thorough employees with many years of experience from this particular type of research.

As a cancer doctor, Roger Olofsson Bagge often ­meets­seriously ill patients.

– We all know our time is measured but most of us don’t think about it. But a terminally ill patient, who understands that life has begun to run out, surprisingly often agrees with the doctor when it is time to end a treatment and instead spend time on something the person really wants. I have learned that in such a situation it may not only be the patient who needs support, but also relatives.

This insight is connected with experiences at Christmas 2020. Roger Olofsson Bagge fell ill with covid-19.

At first, he did not think it was so bad, but after a few days, he was rushed by ambulance to the Östra Hospital, where he eventually ended up in intensive care with high-flow oxygen.

– The doctors wanted to put me on a respirator but somehow, I managed to breathe on and escape this. I hardly remember the hospital stay myself, but for my family it was dramatic. The importance of caring for the relatives is therefore a lesson I will carry with me as a doctor.

Roger Olofsson Bagge has been faithful to Sahlgrenska Academy and Sahlgrenska University Hospital ever since he was a young student: Here he studied medicine, began research, started working as a doctor and eventually became a professor. But originally, he comes from Östersund.

– In high school I studied technology. Together with two friends, I started an IT company in 1998, which in a short time became very successful. Among other things, we had all Swedish energy companies and Iceland’s fisheries authority as customers. My friends started studying at Chalmers, and I thought I would too. But during my military service, I was placed as a medical technician and took part in operations. I was immediately fascinated! So instead, I decided to become a doctor.

It was during a summer job, arranged by Staffan Edén, that Roger Olofsson Bagge got the opportunity to try some research.

– That wasn’t something I had planned either, but I really found it interesting. So now I encourage all my students to try research for a while. You rarely make any major breakthroughs, but research is still fascinating and a way to keep curiosity and enthusiasm for the profession going. →

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News Profile

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News

ROGER OLOFSSON BAGGE

Works as: Chief physician and ­professor of surgery.

Current: First researcher at GU to ­receive the Swedish Society for ­Medical Research Consolidator Grant of SEK 11 million.

Lives: In Landala.

Family: Wife Ann-Sophie Lindqvist Bagge, university lecturer in ­Psychology at GU, three children aged 17, 15 and 10 years.

Book tip: The Emperor of All Maladies: ­ A Biography of Cancer by Siddhartha Mukherjee.

Interests: Work and family.

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