Monthly Archives: August 2017

Can we create an innovation culture at the Faculty of Medicine?

k2nytt_2017_uke-34_ukens-leder_helge-raeder_portrettA researcher at UiB recently published a very interesting scientific work that could potentially pave the way for a new treatment principle to increase muscle strength. In an interview with the newspaper Bergens Tidende, the journalist asked if the discovery could yield income to the researcher or UiB. The researcher shook his head before he replied: I have not thought about it. I am most concerned about helping people. That’s why I’m a researcher. Revenue is less important.

It is understandable that the researcher wishes to have his primary focus on the discovery. But the findings have only a potential utility until someone finds some practical realization of the findings. Potentiality and realization marks the difference between research and innovation. And by practical realization of the findings the researcher, through his or her expertise, can shorten the path to patient care, while at the same time acquiring additional sources of external funding and also creating new jobs.

At the Department of Clinical Science, Audun Nerland has lead a group that has looked at conditions that can improve the innovation ability at the Department. The group points, among other things, to awareness-raising about innovation and commercialization, training in the stages of the innovation process, providing facilities and meeting places, providing information about innovation-oriented research support (e.g., NFR FORNY2020, BIOTEK2021, BIA) and giving merits if you contribute to innovation. Innovation is not only relevant in research, but also in teaching, as illustrated by the project of Professor Jarle Rørvik (K1) Adap (Adaptive Online Learning Environment).

I hope that everyone, besides publications and public dissemination of their research, also considers the potential for innovation. Then, as the newly appointed Vice Dean of Innovation, I will do my best to make the best possible arrangements to make innovation happen. One of my first tasks is to find residents to the new Incubator Building, which is planned on the parking deck behind the Laboratory Building, in such a way that it promotes a culture of innovation.

Helge

HSE corner: All positions must be announced externally

The new law on state employees came into force on 1 July and replaces the Old Civil Service Act (tjenestemannsloven). One of the changes is that we no longer can announce vacancies internally without a separate legal basis.

The positions posted in the internal market during this summer must therefore be converted to external announcements, and in future, all positions have to be announced externally.

Julie

Writing course for PhD students

PhD students are invited to participate in a writing course. It is possible to participate for either 3 (workshop and course 1) or 5 days (all three training events). Those who participate for 5 days and submit the requested preparations can apply to get 1 ECTS. The price is NOK 6 000 for 3 days and NOK 10 000 for 5 days. The training events are for a maximum of 12 participants; the first 12 to register participate. If somebody cancels, the next on the list will be offered a place. The course will be held in either English or Norwegian depending on the participants.

Time: 11 – 15 September.
Place: Department of Global Public Health and Primary Care, Kalfarveien 31 (room will be announced later).

Registration
Deadline: Friday 25 August.

Preparations: see this, this and this file.

For more information or questions, see the files or contact the course leader Kari Skinningsrud directly.

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What can Bergen learn from Canadian medical education?

The Unit for Learning invites all teachers at the Faculty of Medicine to the lecture “Control, Creativity and Scholarship – What Can Bergen Learn From the Success of Canadian Medical Education?“

In the lecture, Professor J. Donald Boudreau, Head of the Center for Medical Education at McGill University, and Professor Edvin Schei at IGS will reflect on differences and similarities between the Norwegian and Canadian medicine education, and what Bergen can learn from Canada. McGill has one of the world’s most prestigious medical education, and Canada is a world leader in research and professional development in medical education. In this lecture, as a teacher, you can learn more about what is the recipe for this success.

Time: 4 September 2017, at. 08:30–10:00.
Location: Seminar room D302, Central block, HUS.

Information and registration.

All educators who have the opportunity, are encouraged to sign up!

The 33rd Ernst Klenk Symposium 2017 in Cologne

The 33rd Ernst Klenk Symposium 2017 on “Tissue regeneration, wound healing and fibrosis: Translating basic concepts into regenerative therapy” will take place 15–17 October 2017 in the Lecture Hall of the Medical Faculty, University of Cologne (Germany) organized by the Center for Molecular Medicine Cologne.

Poster abstract submission.

Deadline: 30 August 2017.

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COST: new networks in medical and health research

COST is a European network organization where most countries in Europe (including Norway and all EU countries) are members. An important task for COST is to promote European research cooperation by launching scientific networks (“COST actions”).

General information about COST can be found here and here.

In June 2017, it was decided to initiate 35 new COST actions. A list of those relevant to medical and health research is found below.

If you are interested in participating, please contact Hans Hellebostad in the Research Council of Norway by 15 September 2017. (This is not necessarily the last opportunity to participate in the actions, but is set as a first deadline for the Research Council’s follow-up to COST.) You can also get more detailed information about participation in COST. Application form used to participate as a participant can be found here.

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Horizon 2020 course at home

Do not have the opportunity to attend the Research Council of Norway’s Horizon 2020 courses in Lysaker? Then you can take the course at home.

The Research Council now offers three e-learning courses, so that you have better chances of success in the EU’s Horizon 2020 research and innovation program. Sign up for their course portal and take the courses whenever you want and wherever you want.

Read more here.

Day seminar: Research guidance for PhD supervisors

The Faculty of Medicine invites all supervisors to our PhD candidates for a seminar on research guidance.

Time: Tuesday 3 October at. 09: 00-15: 45.
Venue: Scandic Bergen City, Håkonsgaten 2.

Registration.
Deadline for registration: 3 September.
NB! Limited number of seats.

The seminar is free, but registration is binding. Any prohibition must be notified immediately, and no later than 3 September, allowing others on the waiting list to participate. Enrolled who do not report within the deadline or who do not meet up will be billed for the hotel’s day package.

Target group: All main and co-supervisors for PhD candidates at the Faculty of Medicine. Postdoctoral and external supervisors are also welcome.

The seminar is intended to provide professional information on important topics within supervision, as well as facilitate competence development and exchange of experience for supervisors. The seminar is held in Norwegian.

Poster. (Link in Norwegian.)
Program. (Link in Norwegian.)

A breakthrough in cancer research

k2nytt_2017_uke-34_kreftgjennombrudd_lonning_knappskog_labbenkResearchers at the Mohn Cancer Research Laboratory, together with researchers at the Sanger Institute in Cambridge, UK, have conducted extensive work on mapping genetic changes in metastatic breast cancer. Knowledge like this is essential for the development of new therapies.

 

Professor Per Eystein Lønning and researcher Stian Knappskog, together with two British researchers, who are the main authors, is behind an article published last week in Cancer Cell. They have mapped what happens from a patient getting breast cancer until the cancer spreads to other organs in the body.

New technology

The work started four years ago and 163 samples from patients have been mapped. The majority of them are from Haukeland University Hospital.

– Earlier, we could only look at a single gene at a time. Thanks to new technology, it is now possible to do a broad survey of all genes relevant to the disease, explains Knappskog.

The researchers have looked at the changes in the metastatic tumour and compared these with the first tumour in the chest. They emphasize the importance of understanding which cancer cells survive treatment in order to develop better targeted treatment for patients with proliferation in the future

– In the long term, I think today’s research will enable us to cure breast cancer with proliferation. I do not know when it happens, but I am optimistic and am sure it will happen, says Professor Lønning.

Linn Iversen

Thank you so much!

21057060_1438821782879252_2076556124_oAbout two years ago, I was employed as an apprantice here at Department of Clinical Science. I was welcomed with open arms by all employees and I remember thinking ”I don’t know anything about medicine, how is this going to end?”

The reception has been my second home and it’s hard to move on from something that I have become so tied to. I hope everyone is pleased with the work I’ve done here, and I know that I’m pleased with my stay here. I don’t think there is any better colleagues then all of you.

As an employee, I really enjoyed myself, looking forward to work in the morning, and I will always find my way back here. I might disappear as an employee, but I will never forget this place and the people with it.

Two years have passed and I’m now finished as an apprentice. I will now continue my jurney and I want to take this opportunity to say thank you to everyone here at K2. All of you are phenomenal! Thank you to everyone who helped me when I stormed into the Office/laboratoy and asked question after question. You’ve all been a huge help and I would never have passed my exam without you.

It’s with a heavy heart that I leave this place, but you will receive a new apprentice in the reception.

Thank you so very much. I’m forever grateful!

-Ingvild Lekven Jonsvoll

New publications

Here are recent publications with contributions from K2 based on last week’s search on PubMed (and optionally articles that have not been included in previous lists). This time the list includes in total 22 recent publications. The entries appear in the order they were received from NCBI. If you have publications that are not included in this or previous lists, please send the references to Johnny Laupsa-Borge.

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We need more contributions to teaching

Jone Trovik, portrett til disputasDear all K2s,

Welcome to a new semester as teachers and facilitators / contributors to all the teaching we perform at UoB and K2.

Medicine 2015 (“New Study Plan in Medicine”) is rolled out, and this autumn the old “propedeutics term” is completely reorganized. There has been an increase in research in research / journal writing, and we need urgently more fresh effort to participate. That is why all fellow students have received an email from me to request for contributions to this course now. But we also need contributions from other disciplines, so I have asked for information about each individual’s background. We will probably come back with requests for other teaching later.

Teaching is one of the main areas of responsibility for the university, and all fellows are also supposed to develop teaching skills (dissemination) during their PhD course. We therefore hope that both fellows and supervisors see the importance of contributions into teaching, also for those who have a scholarship outside of UoB.

I have received MANY positive answers. Thank you very much to those of you who show interest in contributing, and to those who have not yet answered, I hope to receive a feedback.

Wish you all a good teaching autumn!

Jone

HSE corner: Stop in the ventilation system

Dear all,

The hospital is performing maintenance on the ventilation system, hence the ventilation will be turned off at 17:00 on Thursday 24 August, in both the A-block (north) and B-block of the Laboratory Building. The work is expected to be completed at 20:00.

Any laboratory work dependent on ventilation cannot be performed during this period.

Questions can be directed to engineer Diana Espelid at HUS.

Best regards Julie

Offline at the Laboratory Building 27 August

Helse Vest IKT plans to change two switches in the Laboratory Building on Sunday 27 August from 3 p.m. and until at latest 2 a.m. the following night. Those affected are the 4th, 5th and 6th floors of the Laboratory Building.

There will be slightly different time from room to room when PCs and equipment will be offline during this period, but there will be up to several hours of downtime for some of the rooms. If some PCs need online almost the entire period, IKT can look for solutions for this. They want a prompt feedback if the actual time period is not appropriate for everyone.

Operating message will be announced immediately after the time has been confirmed.

Questions can be addressed to technician Asle Haugland Bøyum at Helse Vest IKT.

Information about workplace during the Cycling World Championships

The Faculty of Medicine informs about the following to all employees regarding the workplace during the Cycling World Championships in Bergen 16–24 September:

All employees have as usual attendance at their normal workplace during this period. If some employees need shorter working days because of children who have to be brought to school / kindergarten, they must be taken by each individual’s flex-time period, and you may deviate from internal core time as needed and in agreement with the manager.

Home office is not an option, although UiB on its website indicates that “UiB will be able to allow employees to work from home during the cycling world championships”, and that “this can be agreed with leader”.

Our work tasks are performed as normal at the workplace at UiB.

Too many employees will not be able to get to the workplace by car as roads are closed or with reduced accessibility. Nevertheless, it should be possible for everyone to meet at the workplace using other means of travel. You may expect a longer travel time than normal. We encourage all employees to calculate good time on the road to work and get into a modified travel routine.

In agreement with the department / unit, it is of course possible to take holiday, and you may also agree on overtime withdrawals during this period.

Per Bakke                                                      Ørjan Hauge

– Dean –                                                        – Assistant Faculty Director –

Goods receipt in the Laboratory Building

Hospital Operations (Hospitaldrift) Transport will use the ramps and locks in the goods receipt in the Laboratory Building in large parts of 4, 5 and 6 September. They are going to move 45 ultra-freezers from the Laboratory Building to Marie Joys Hus.

The assignment is carried out in the period at. 09:00–15:00.

We will encourage our users to avoid ordering large deliveries on pallets with delivery these days.

Contact person at HD Transport for this assignment is Erik Bauge (77133 / 913 95 660).

Goods deliveries during the Cycling World Championships

The Cycling World Championships in Bergen is approaching, and when this event takes place (16–24 September), the city center will be closed to through-traffic by car.

During this periode, it will be difficult or impossible for UiB’s suppliers to deliver goods to large parts of the business. The Office for Purchasing at UiB therefore requests that you check the stock of goods needed during the Cycling World Championships, and, if necessary, order goods that can be delivered before the event starts.

Helse Vest research funding 2018

The deadline for Helse Vest research funding is 15 September, and new for this year is that it is no longer possible to apply for short term funding to complete the doctoral project.

On this page (under headline “Application categories and guidelines”), you can find guidelines for all the application categories. Please note that the postdoctoral period can be extended from 2.5 years until 3 years if you include a research stay abroad.

The applications are evaluated for scientific quality and the project’s benefit to patients and impact on patient care. These two criteria are equal. You can read more about the evaluation criteria here.

On this page, you can find more information, among other a link to the application form and a template for the project description.

We would be happy to assist you in the application process, so come by our office in 8th floor in the Laboratory building, or send an email to Itana Sloper-Krivopapic and Amra Grudic-Feta.

Itana and Amra

K2 Junior Annual Retreat

Beginning this year, K2 wishes to gather our junior researchers (PhD candidates and postdoctoral fellows) at a two-day event once a year, with an academic and social program. The event is called «K2 Junior Annual Retreat». The event’s purpose is to have a common arena for exchanges of competency across the research groups, provide new opportunities for sharing experiences, and foster feelings of togetherness at our institute. The event is covered by K2, including accommodation and meals from lunch-to-lunch.

Registration.

Regards Simon N. Dankel
– Chairman of the Organization Committee –

Unit for Learning at the Faculty | Seminars and workshops in the autumn 2017

The Unit for Learning (UFL) at the faculty offers a series of courses and seminars this autumn.

The program is available here.

The semester starts with two exciting mini-seminars with guests from Canada, i.e., the University of Calgary and McGill University. Canada is a pioneer in medicine education and research in medical education. This is a great opportunity to get to know what they are doing and to bring inspiration and ideas to our own education.

Throughout the autumn there will be workshops on topics such as multi-choice assignments and student activist education. These are aimed at all teachers at the faculty. Sign up by clicking the links on the event page. (There are limited seats!)

The Unit for Learning has over time been working on developing a university education program aimed at employees in less than 50 per cent positions. This is an employee group that has few other competence enhancement offerings in education. We aim to offer this for the first time during the spring 2018 as a course that gives five credit points. A similar offer will also be set up for PhD candidates and postdoctoral fellows.

The Kavli Trust Programme on Health Research

During the next three years, The Kavli Trust Programme on Health Research will allocate around NOK 75 million to research projects in Norway, Sweden, Finland or the UK addressing selected knowledge holes in mental health in children and adolescents.

More information about the announcement and application process for 2017 can be found here.

You may also receive further information about this and future announcements via a newsletter.