Akademiliv

Sahlgrenska akademins nyheter

På Svenska
University of Gothenburg Logotype
  • News
  • Notices
  • Grants
  • About Akademiliv

Six centers get the green light for UGOT Challenges

3 December, 2015

STRATIGIC The Vice-Chancellor has approved six new centers for UGOT Challenges – a SEK 300 million project at the University of Gothenburg that addresses social problems at the global level. Two of the centers are directed by researchers at Sahlgrenska Academy.

The Vice-Chancellor’s decision for Stage 2 of UGOT Challenges was based on an assessment by an external panel of experts. Twelve of the 100 prospective centers that expressed interest were invited to formally apply for Stage 2. The six new centers will start up beginning next year.

Joakim Larsson, Professor at the Department of Infectious Diseases, and Fredrik Carlsson, Professor at the Department of Economics, are the co-applicants for a center that will study antibiotic resistance from a global point of view.

”We are both thrilled and humbled by the desire of the university to focus on this particular global challenge,” Professor Larsson says. ”It also reconfirms the quality of our efforts and goals.”

Thirty teams and six faculties are involved in the Center for Antibiotic Resistance Research at the University of Gothenburg. Sahlgrenska University Hospital, 1928 Diagnostics and the Västra Götaland Region STRAMA group – an initiative to promote rational antibiotic treatment and stem the tide of resistance – are also participating.

The center will take a six-pronged approach to addressing the issue: diagnosis, monitoring, transmission, the external environment, new antibiotics and action plans. Researchers will concentrate on resistance to carbapenems, a class of antibiotics that are increasingly prescribed as the final option, in each area.

“We hope that the center will provide a forum at which experts in various fields can conduct research on a topic that is integral to public health more than ever before,” Professor Larsson says. He is looking forward to the prospect of interacting with colleagues who have such varying backgrounds and interests. “Of course, that kind of diversity is a challenge in itself,” he says.

Aging – the whole word is facing it

Ingmar Skoog, Professor at the Section for Psychiatry and Neurochemistry, has obtained a grant to start an interdisciplinary research center on the ability of the elderly to achieve the goals they regard as valuable. Researchers at 7 faculties and 14 departments who possess expertise in molecular biology, neurochemistry, neural networks, the job market, history, journalism and design will be involved.

“The setting will generate exciting new ways to look at the research issue and produce ideas that would never have seen the light of day in the absence of an interdisciplinary structure,” Professor Skoog says. “I am excited and deeply honored, if a bit overwhelmed, to be given this opportunity.”

Expansion of AgeCap

Much of the world is confronted by the demographic ultimatum posed by an aging population. For the first time in history, more people are 65 and older than 5 and younger, and the size of the over-65 population will triple in the next 35 years.

The University of Gothenburg Center for Aging and Health (AgeCap), which Professor Skoog has been directing for some time, consists of more than 100 researchers and assistants in five separate disciplines. The new center represents a major expansion effort.

”We will be able to exploit much of the existing infrastructure,” Professor Skoog says. “The primary task – to strengthen the abilities of seniors to achieve their goals – and theoretical underpinnings of the center will remain the same.”

In addition, the center will adopt a global perspective and encourage international research projects. The current advisory team will be reinforced by researchers from developing countries.

Global challenges for contemporary society

All of the six new research centers at the University of Gothenburg will revolve around urgent social issues. They will cover a broad range of subjects and topics. While some of the initiatives are unprecedented, others proceed from existing research structures to incorporate a number of social challenges that are appearing on the horizon.

”In pursuing this interdisciplinary undertaking, the University of Gothenburg is throwing down the gauntlet to today’s major social challenges,” Vice-Chancellor Pam Fredman says. “UGOT Challenges and a number of other ongoing efforts are our way of assuming the kind of social responsibility that behooves a university within the framework of research, education and global commitment.”

Following are the six new centers that have obtained grants.

Center for Antibiotic Resistance Research, University of Gothenburg
Joakim Larsson, Department of Infectious Diseases, and Fredrik Carlsson, Department of Economics

Center for Collective Action Research
Sverker C. Jagers, Department of Political Science, and Sam Dupont, Department of Biological and Environmental Sciences

Swedish Mariculture Research Center, University of Gothenburg
Kristina Sundell, Department of Biological and Environmental Sciences

Center for Aging and Health – Studies on Capability in Aging – from Genes to Society
Ingmar Skoog, Section for Psychiatry and Neurochemistry

Center for Critical Heritage Studies
Kristian Kristiansen, Department of Historical Studies, and Ola Wetterberg, Department of Conservation

Center for Future Chemical Risk Assessment and Management Strategies, University of Gothenburg
Thomas Backhaus, Department of Biological and Environmental Sciences, and Jessica Coria, Department of Economics

See www.gu.se/ugotchallenges for more information about the decision.

By: Elin Lindström
Tagged With: Global hälsa, Global hälsa, institutionen för biomedicin, institutionen för neurovetenskap och fysiologi

HAPPY SUMMER!

The newsletter from Akademiliv will return on Wednesday, August 21st.

Contact your institute to add your event to the calendar in the Staff Portal

  • Biomedicine: Kristian Kvint: kalender@biomedicine.gu.se
  • Core Facilities: Amelie Karlsson: amelie.karlsson.2@gu.se
  • Clinical Sciences: Katarina Olinder Eriksson: klinvet@gu.se
  • Medicine: Nina Raun; kommunikation@medicine.gu.se
  • Neuroscience and Physiology: Josefin Bergenholtz; kommunikation@neuro.gu.se
  • Odontology: Johan Thompson; info@odontologi.gu.se
  • Sahlgrenska Academy’s Office and faculty-wide calendar events Åsa Ekvall; info@sahlgrenska.gu.se
  • Health and Care Sciences: Karin Mossberg; vardvetenskap@fhs.gu.se

Information from Sahlgrenska Academy Research Support Office

[UPDATED JUNE 2024]
The Sahlgrenska Academy Research Support Office provides an overview of upcoming and current calls, nominations and events in an information letter. This letter is updated on a monthly basis.
Current and previous newsletters are also available in the Staff Portal.

’20 minutes for researchers’ is back – see full spring program

During 20 minutes over Zoom, the Biomedical Library gives tips on tools and services that can facilitate your research everyday life.

More news

En personlig död (A Personal Death) – a chance to win Björn Fagerberg’s new book

27 May, 2024

NEW BOOK. During his career as a physician specializing in internal medicine, Björn Fagerberg has been involved in many end-of-life situations, …  

She is doing her residency in the US with a medical degree from Gothenburg

21 May, 2024

STUDENT. Doing a “residency” in orthopedics in the United States is an unattainable dream for many newly qualified American doctors. Now Janina Ka …  

Alba Corell reports from a high-level brain tumor meeting

20 May, 2024

COLUMN. The recent gathering of the Scandinavian Society of Neuro-oncology (SNOG) in Gothenburg has concluded. Professor Asgeir Jakola hosted and …  

From South Africa to Sweden: Collaborative Research Efforts Improving Pregnant Women’s Health

17 May, 2024

GLOBAL HEALTH. In the bustling Tygerberg University Hospital in Cape Town, a dedicated research team led by Lina Bergman, is on a mission to …  

Sara Bjursten and Anna Wenger are the recipients of the Assar Gabrielsson Prize 2024

17 May, 2024

AWARD. The Assar Gabrielsson Foundation has named Anna Wenger as the winner in the basic science research category and Sara Bjursten as the …  

A full day for PhD students focused on mental health

16 May, 2024

PHD STUDENTS. For the sixth time, PhD students at Sahlgrenska Academy were invited to PhD Day, organized by the Doctoral Student Council. The day …  

Kaj Blennow ranked highest in Sweden in neuroscience

16 May, 2024

AWARD. In this year's edition of the researcher ranking from Research.com in the field of neuroscience, Kaj Blennow is ranked 17th …  

Linda Wass is doing a postdoc at Stanford with ALF funding

14 May, 2024

ALF FUNDING. Biomedical Scientist Linda Wass has just settled in Stanford, California, where she will spend two years as a postdoc. She is the …  

Karin Nilsson wrote the Thesis of the Year at Sahlgrenska Academy in 2023

14 May, 2024

AWARD. Karin Nilsson, currently a postdoc at the Department of Internal Medicine and Clinical Nutrition, receives the faculty-wide Thesis of the …  

Some answers from the proposed members of the next Faculty Board

14 May, 2024

FACULTY ELECTIONS. The eight proposed members of the next Faculty Board hereby give some brief answers on how they want to contribute to the work …  

More news...

Sahlgrenska Academy

© University of Gothenburg
PO-Box 100, S-405 30 Gothenburg, Sweden
Phone: 00 46 31 786 0000

About the website

Elin Lindström is editor for Akademiliv.
Please feel free to send your ideas and comments to akademiliv@gu.se

Sign up for the Akademiliv newsletter:

Send you tips to Akademiliv

Do you have a suggestion for news, grants, seminars or an education?
Send an email to Elin Lindström Claessen