Debrecen4U
June 19, 2025
University Debrecen joins a prestigious international scientific training programme
“Twenty-one internationally recognised researchers in the field gave lectures at the five-day conference, and the most outstanding PhD students from partner institutions presented their research, “ unideb.hu wrote.
The opening lecture of the 2025 Redox Chemistry/Biochemistry Postgraduate Summer Course was given by Director of the Karolinska Institutet Cancer Research KI, Elias Arnér in the Learning Centre on 10 June, under the title Selenium and selenoproteins in human health and disease.
The biochemist is a member of the Scientific and Social Advisory Board (TTTT) supporting the work of the Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the Gróf Tisza István Foundation for the University of Debrecen, and the head of the Selenium Protein Research Group of the National Oncology Institute.
“The essence of redox biology is actually the reduction and oxidation processes of various molecules in cells, and the transfer of electrons plays a central role in this. However, if we look into the details, we see that this is the basis of life. We see redox biology in every process, in all living cells. This is what our research and training course is about: understanding redox biology. Since it is present everywhere, in all living cells, it is also extremely important from the point of view of physiology. And if it is distorted, its significance can be seen in pathophysiology, medical pathophysiology, and in many diseases. We are talking about such essential principles that are important in healthy life, while also affecting many, many different diseases. We are trying to understand how this effect is exerted, and whether this knowledge can lead us to more effective ways of treating a number of diseases,” Professor Elias Arnér emphasised.
The University of Debrecen, together with the National Oncology Institute (OOI), joined the ranks of institutions organising the Redox Chemistry/Biochemistry Postgraduate Summer Course for the first time this year, in collaboration with prestigious partners such as the University of Nebraska-Lincoln (UNL – USA), the Medical University of South Carolina (MUSC – USA), and the Swedish Karolinska Institutet (KI). The members of the scientific committee were Danyelle Townsend (MUSC), Kenneth D. Tew (MUSC), Oleh Khalimonchuk (UNL), Elias Arnér (KI), Éva Dóka (OOI) and Péter Nagy (UD).
“We are talking about an internationally highly prestigious training course that started about fifteen years ago. It is a great honour that the University of Debrecen, together with the National Oncology Institute, can be the organiser and participant of the international programme this year. We can state that today even the best laboratories in the world are paying attention to the students who have completed this course. Thanks to the further training, they have an advantage when applying for research positions,” the main organiser of the course, Director of the Chemistry Coordination Institute of the University of Debrecen and Scientific Director of the National Oncology Institute, Professor Péter Nagy added.
The course, held between 10 and 14 June, featured presentations from twenty-one lecturers and researchers from the Karolinska Institute, the Medical University of South Carolina, the University of Nebraska, Montana State University, Friedrich Schiller University Jena, Panosome GmbH, an industrial partner of the German cancer research institute DKFZ, the University of Debrecen, the National Oncology Institute, Semmelweis University, and the Hungarian University of Physical Education and Sport Sciences.
In addition, thirty-four of the most outstanding PhD students and young researchers from the partner institutions presented their research results.
As part of the course, the SFRR-E Young Researchers Day was organised in Mád, at the Mád Wine Academy, and the poster section was held in the Kenézy Villa.
“The course involves very intensive learning for the students. In addition to attending lectures, they also present their own research and then take a written exam. In addition to professional development, the further training also provides an excellent opportunity for students from the participating institutions to develop personal relationships, friendships, and establish collaborations and new international cooperations,” the organiser of the course and a researcher at the National Institute of Oncology Éva Dóka Ditróiné highlighted.
The event was implemented with the support of the Ministry of Culture and Innovation from the National Research, Development and Innovation Fund, financed by the MEC_24 application programme, under project number MEC_SZ 149205.
Source:dehir.hu |Photo credit:Facebook (Debrecen városa)
