Sahlgrenska University Hospital’s extensive process for being accredited as a Comprehensive Cancer Center has reached a milestone, through the extensive screening of activities linked to cancer care that has just been submitted to the OECI, Organization of European Cancer Institutes. The screening has resulted in a large amount of material, both quantitative information on, for example, how many patients have been treated, and qualitative information on, for example, strategic plans for care and research. Within a few weeks, the OECI will announce whether SU can proceed with the next step in the process.

The Gelin Foundation was founded by Njurförbundet Västsverige in April 1981, with the aim of supporting research on kidney replacement treatment with a focus on transplantation. The foundation honors Professor Lars-Erik Gelin, who took the initiative for the transplant unit at Sahlgrenska Hospital in Gothenburg, which under his leadership became one of the world’s largest. During its 40 years, transplant research has received almost 15 million from the Gelin Foundation. One of the researchers who receives support is Professor Michael Olausson, who has devoted his professional life to research and transplant surgery. The Gelin Foundation is currently funding a project, which can extend the time span between a kidney being taken from a deceased donor until the recipient is transplanted.

As decided on the Faculty Board meeting on 31 March, the departments of earth sciences and conservation will also move their Gothenburg-based operations to Natrium, the Faculty of Science’s new building adjacent to Medicinarelängan. A couple of years ago it was decided that the departments of biology and environmental science, chemistry and molecular biology, marine sciences and the faculty office will move into Natrium and now it is clear that the departments of earth sciences and cultural conservation will leave Geovetarcentrum and move in when the building is completed in 2023.

When we process personal data for research purposes, we need to take into account, among other things, the legal basis, consent, information to the research participants, sharing and deletion of data, and security. The lecture GDPR for researchers is about rules and safety that you need to be aware of when you work with research at the University of Gothenburg. This lecture is divided into nine information films that you can watch when it suits you. The films are in English, and between 5 and 10 minutes long. You can find the films here: https://www.medarbetarportalen.gu.se/diarieforing-arkivering-och-personuppgiftsbehandling/rutiner-for-behandling-av-personuppgifter/utbildning-och-informationsmaterial/gdpr-for-researchers/

You who work with student administration can also register for the course GDPR in the field of education (given in Swedish): https://kompetensutveckling.gu.se/seminar/detail/4287

On April 12th-16th, the University of Gothenburg will host EUTOPIA Week for the first time – digitally of course. EUTOPIA Week takes place twice a year and is a forum where the six European universities that are part of the EUTOPIA Alliance meet to discuss current issues important for higher education. The week provides access to a broad program of sessions and workshops aimed at researchers, teachers and administrative staff, as well as students who are interested in issues important to higher education. You must register for the sessions you want to participate in: https://www.gu.se/en/eutopia-week-spring-2021 

The faculty call for project-bound doctoral student positions and 2-year postdoctoral positions now opens. Ten projects can be funded. The distribution between project-bound doctoral and postdoctoral positions is determined by application pressure and is measured as a percentage of the number of applications received. Priorities are made by a faculty-wide assessment committee. Note that you cannot be the main person responsible for both an application for a doctoral student position and a postdoctoral position in the same call.

Deadlines:

• May 6th, 2021, the application must be submitted to the designated contact person at the institute.
• May 20th, 2021, the institute’s approved applications must be received by the Faculty office.
  Instructions for what to enter and how, can be found in the respective announcement text:
  • Project-bound doctoral student positions: https://medarbetarportalen.gu.se/sahlgrenskaakademin/forskarutbildning/handbok/projektbundna-doktorandplatser/
  • Project-bound postdoctoral positions: https://medarbetarportalen.gu.se/sahlgrenskaakademin/forskningsstod/utlysning-postdoktortjanster/

Time to make sure that 2020 publications are registered in the GUP database. The University of Gothenburg’s research is reported in the University’s annual report, through statistics from the GUP database (University of Gothenburg’s publications). Register all scientific publications, published in 2020, no later than Tuesday, May 3rd, 2021. Remember especially to provide complete and accurate information for author affiliation, publication year, ISBN / ISSN and doi, from the original publication.
Publications lists of institutions and individual researchers can be found in the GUP database under the Publications tab or via the GU web. Use this page to log on to register publications: https://gup.ub.gu.se/login

• Questions? GUP support: gup@ub.gu.se or 031-786 66 71.

Medi-sam Education is now developing a new calculation model for the distribution of ALF funds linked to clinical placements (VFU) for medical students at the undergraduate level. The model aims to clarify the clinical intrusion and in a transparent way describe how ALF funds for teaching are distributed to different activities. Through information on the number of students per semester as well as days in clinical activities and allocated teaching time, the total intrusion within each activity is calculated. Affected course leaders have received a pilot survey, which will form the basis for a shadow budget for 2022. The plan is that funds will be distributed based on this model for 2023. Read more on ALF Västra Götaland’s website: www.alfvastragotaland.se/utbildning/

Akademiliv congratulates Lars Palmqvist on his professorship! His research team is investigating genetic changes and the mechanisms that lead to the development of blood cancer, especially acute myeloid leukemia, which is the most common acute leukemia in adults but which can also affect children. The research is very much about identifying the cellular mechanisms that are affected by the genetic changes seen in blood cancer. The goal of the research is to eventually identify new and more goal-oriented ways of treating these diseases, what is often now called precision medicine. Lars Palmqvist has been teaching clinical chemistry but also pathology in the medical program for many years.
Website: https://www.gu.se/en/research/lars-palmqvist

From Friday 16 April, it is possible to apply for research funding in this spring’s ALF calls:

• ALF project funds 2022–2024
• ALF project funding for younger researchers 2022–2024
• ALF funds for supplementary study in connection with HTA

The application is made electronically in Researchweb, with the last application date being Tuesday June 1st.

New for this year! Signing of project agreement with BankID / Mobile BankID.

For more information about the announcements with associated guidelines and assessment criteria, see ALF Västra Götaland’s website.