NEWS On Monday 19 June, world-leading infection researchers visit Umeå to discuss altered spreading patterns of infectious diseases, and antibiotic resistance. The symposium is the second in a series of jubilee symposia celebrating the 100 year anniversary of the Knut and Alice Wallenberg Foundation.
Infectious diseases is the most common cause of disease and mortality in the world. International infection research is increasingly focusing on various pathogenic mechanisms and how they can be counteracted by defence strategies of the host organism. New research findings now form the basis for the development of new and better antimicrobial strategies to prevent and treat infectious diseases.
At the Jubilee symposium in Umeå, invited experts will highlight current examples from infection research. They will also take part in a panel discussion where they exchange ideas on how to meet current and future challenges related to infection.
“Infectious diseases is an area where research at Umeå University has taken a firm position. Nevertheless, many challenges remain and it’s urgent to tackle the problems, for instance the increased prevalence of certain infectious diseases, but also the threat that antibiotic resistance poses. Hence, it will be incredibly exciting to listen to some world-leading researchers in the field at the symposium,” says Hans Adolfsson, Vice-Chancellor of Umeå University.
Knut and Alice Wallenberg Foundation, one of Europe’s largest private funders of scientific research, turns 100 years in 2017, which is for instance celebrated through six scientific symposia at different locations in Sweden.
Over its first 100 years, the Knut and Alice Wallenberg Foundation has awarded SEK 24 billion in grants to Swedish research. SEK 1.7 billion of these have been awarded to Umeå University and the Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences in Umeå, of which as much as 1.2 billion were granted in the last ten years.
Since 2011, the Knut and Alice Wallenberg Foundation has appointed five Wallenberg Scholars, thirteen Wallenberg Academy Fellows and one Clinical Scholar at Umeå University and the Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences in Umeå, and has approved fifteen project grants.
“It’s incredibly valuable to us to be able to offer good economic terms and conditions for successful researchers who contribute to new knowledge in the forefront of research. Over the years, the foundation has given us substantial grants to projects and for the establishment of Wallenberg Scholars, which has been key to establish and conduct top quality research,” says Peter Högberg, Vice-Chancellor of the Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences.
Peter Wallenberg Jr, chairperson of the Knut and Alice Wallenberg Foundation will participate in the Jubilee symposium at Umeå University together with executive member Göran Sandberg.
“Research in infection research is of incredibly pressing, and the threat of antibiotic resistance further emphasises the matter. The research that the foundation helps to fund should be of international top class and promote the development of Sweden. From what we have seen, the investments at Umeå University and the Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences definitely have, and we are confident that it contributes to spreading new knowledge,” says Peter Wallenberg Jr.
The Umeå symposium is directed at infection researchers at the highest scientific level. Journalists are welcome to attend and interview researchers as well as Peter Wallenberg Jr and Göran Sandberg at the Knut and Alice Wallenberg Foundation.
Bernt Eric Uhlin, scientific coordinator of the Jubilee symposium at Umeå University, professor in medical microbiology at the Department of Molecular Biology and supervisor of the Laboratory for Molecular Infection Medicine Sweden, MIMS.Phone: +46 90-785 67 31
Email: bernt.eric.uhlin@umu.se
Mattias Grundström MitzPress Officer, Umeå UniversityPhone: +46 70-610 08 05
Email: mattias.mitz@umu.se
Olof BergvallCommunications Officer, press contact, the Swedish University of Agricultural SciencesPhone: +46 72-236 29 15
Email: olof.bergvall@slu.se
Carina DahlbergKnut and Alice Wallenberg FoundationPhone: +46 70-273 68 50
Email: carina.dahlberg@wfab.se
Photo: Mattias Pettersson
Editor: Anna Lawrence