Akademiliv

Sahlgrenska akademins nyheter

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

Researchers can begin applying to use SCAPIS data from March 17

14 January, 2021 Leave a Comment

RESEARCH. The launch of unique SCAPIS is approaching. SCAPIS is a bank of data, blood samples and bioimages from 30,000 participants that will be openly available for researchers throughout the country and eventually the world. “Our vision is to find the individuals at risk of cardiovascular disease and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease so that they can receive treatment earlier,” says Göran Bergström, director of SCAPIS, professor at the University of Gothenburg, and senior physician at Sahlgrenska University Hospital.

It has been thirteen years since the idea of SCAPIS first arose. Now, its launch is just months away. This is an enormous knowledge bank for researchers wanting to study different aspects of cardiovascular and lung diseases.

Göran Bergström

“Our main vision is to reduce these types of diseases in future generations or at least postpone them with age. Through research, we can discover who is at risk of becoming ill and treat them early. This is about being able to have more healthy years,” says Göran Bergström.

A total of 30,000 randomly chosen participants ages 50 to 64 are included in SCAPIS. They have all had thorough health exams, including CT scans, ultrasound exams, and lung function tests. They have also registered physical activity and answered questions about lifestyle and eating habits.

SCAPIS will launch on March 17. Some of the data will be available from that date and more will be made available regularly.

“Researchers submit an application via our website about what data they want to use. There are lists of what data types are available. Currently we have about 1500 variables to choose from and researchers can select what they are interested in.”

Can you give some examples of what type of research you think researchers want to do?

“With the data we currently have, examples include looking at what risk factors control whether you get atherosclerosis in the coronary arteries. Researchers could also look at how the work environment affects lung disease or how obesity affects heart disease. The classic of finding different risk factors.”

As of March, SCAPIS will be available to researchers across the country who want to apply to use data. Within a few years, the plan is also to give international researchers access to the material.

It is the size of SCAPIS that makes the study unique. Thirty thousand participants means that the material can be detailed, but it is also new to have such extensive examinations of healthy people, says Göran Bergström.

“For example, we have x-rayed the coronary arteries of a group of people who are not sick. We also did lung CT scans of non-smokers, something that is completely innovative.”

Can SCAPIS be used for research in COVID-19?

“We have thought a lot about this question, of course. We hope to be able to do another exam and find out which of our participants had COVID-19. That would allow us to look at what risk factors exist for catching COVID-19, who becomes severely ill and what the long-term effects look like. We have done lung X-rays on our participants, and this would allow researchers to compare the lungs before and after COVID-19 infection.”

FACTS ABOUT SCAPIS

  • Are you a researcher who wants to apply to use SCAPIS data? Visit scapis.org for more information on available data and how to apply.
  • The website scapis.se has more information about SCAPIS.
  • SCAPIS stands for Swedish CardioPulmonary bioImage Study. The study is led by a national team of researchers from universities and university hospitals in Gothenburg, Linköping, Malmö, Stockholm, Uppsala and Umeå.
  • The main funder for SCAPIS is the Swedish Heart-Lung Foundation. Vinnova, the Swedish Research Council, and the university hospitals have also contributed funding.

TEXT: KARIN EURENIUS / SAHLGRENSKA UNIVERSITY HOSPITAL

By: Elin Lindström

Leave a Comment Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Add your own events in the Akademiliv Calendar

Webinar: SAGE Research Methods

Forskarsnabben – full autumn program

During 20 minutes over Zoom, the Biomedical Library gives tips on tools and services that can facilitate your research everyday life. Start January 27.
English version further down in the document.

The novel coronavirus – University-wide information on the Staff Portal

Read up-tp-date information regarding how effects of the pandemic are handled at the university.

The entrance doors are locked

Due to new restrictions and decisions, all entrances are locked. For daytime access, use your GU card.

We are building at Medicinareberget

You will now find comprehensive information on construction projects that affect the Sahlgrenska Academy in the Staff Portal.

Lunch menus

Café & restaurang Anatomen

Gastronomen på SU

Lunchen.nu

Lyktan lunchservering

Lustgården på Änggårdsbacken

Café Anne Dahl

More news

Continued stricter regulations at University of Gothenburg

22 January, 2021

COVID-19. The stricter restrictions that currently exist at the University of Gothenburg have been extended until further notice. This means that …  

Karl Swedberg discusses study in NEJM on increasing contractility by stimulation with pharmaceutical agent

20 January, 2021

COMMENTARY. Karl Swedberg, a senior professor and a renown international researcher in heart failure, has written an editorial in the latest …  

SEK 13.6 million for childhood cancer research in Gothenburg

19 January, 2021

GRANTS. In its latest funding round, the Swedish Childhood Cancer Fund awarded a total of SEK 146 million for Swedish research, which is a new …  

Many advantages with double degrees – a well-functioning collaboration enabled her defense of dissertation

19 January, 2021

DOCTORAL EDUCATION. The first doctoral student admitted to doctoral studies at both Sahlgrenska Academy and KU Leuven has now defended her …  

New principle for cancer treatment shows promising effect

18 January, 2021

NEW STUDY. A new type of inhibitor that interferes with mitochondrial function in cancer cells has been developed in a collaboration involving …  

Justin Schneiderman’s new assignment supports management in AI developments

18 January, 2021

AI NYTT. We can use artificial intelligence for many things, including for organizing otherwise unmanageable amounts of data or developing …  

Regarding media attention around exam in the university’s examination halls

18 January, 2021

EXAMINATION. Media is reporting that about 150 students at the University of Gothenburg during the current pandemic will gather today Friday, to …  

Construction information Medicinareberget – Walls for Natrium’s first floor soon in place

18 January, 2021

CONSTRUCTION INFORMATION. Akademiliv provides information on the construction of Natrium on Medicinareberget for the period weeks 51-02 (December …  

Researchers identify a new biomarker for the childhood cancer neuroblastoma

15 January, 2021

NEW STUDY. In collaboration with researchers in the Netherlands and Belgium, researchers at the University of Gothenburg have now shown that …  

New studies support blood test for early detection of Alzheimer’s disease

13 January, 2021

NEW STUDIES. In three recent publications in Molecular Psychiatry, Brain and JAMA Neurology researchers from the University of Gothenburg provide …  

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 Claessen 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