Metabolic and signaling crosstalk of vitamin-derived cofactors - a training platform for systems medicine

Systemmedisin har vist seg som et viktig fagfelt for å identifisere sykdomsmekanismer og biomarkører, samt følge og forutsi effekten av behandlinger og for å utvikle nye kombinatoriske terapier. Vi ønsker å utvikle og implementere et eget studieprogram innen systemmedisin i Norge. Dette prosjektet vil samle et team av ledende eksperter fra fem anerkjente akademiske institusjoner [i Norge (2), USA (1) og Russland (2)]. De vil utvikle en unik portefølje av systemmedisinsk opplæring - fra molekylære mekanismer til sykdomsbehandling. Kursene vil omfatte eksperimentelle og beregningsmessige analyser av metabolske veier og signalnettverk, kreft relatert biokjemi, avanserte analytiske teknikker, matematisk modellering og maskinlæring samt prinsipper for medikamentutvikling. Basert på veletablerte vitenskapelige samarbeid mellom alle partnere, vil UiB koordinere prosjektet. Praktiske kurs vil bli gjennomført ved de aktuelle partnerinstitusjonene.

Systems medicine has emerged as essential discipline to identify disease mechanisms and biomarkers, follow and predict the effect of treatments and to develop new, combinatorial therapies. To our knowledge, dedicated study programs in systems medicine do net yet exist in Norway. This project will bring together a team of leading experts from four renowned academic institutions [in Norway (2), the United States (1) and the Netherlands (1)]. They will develop a unique portfolio of systems medicine training – from molecular mechanisms to disease treatment. The courses will include experimental and computational analyses of metabolic pathways and signaling networks, chemical biology of cancer, advanced analytical techniques, mathematical modelling and machine learning as well as principles of drug development. Based on well-established scientific collaborations with all partners, UiB will coordinate the project. Practical courses will be conducted in the relevant partner institutions. The EU consortium on systems medicine of breast cancer (MESI-STRAT) and the NeuroSysMed center (FKB, Bergen) will support this initiative with their competences. This INTPART project will also significantly contribute to the scientific excellence of existing joint research projects among all parners. A major focus will be on the biology and medical significance of coenzymes derived from vitamin B precursors, a hot area of current biomedical research both in metabolomics, signaling and for the development of nutritional therapeutic concepts. Collectively, the project will enable tight collaborations with outstanding academic environments in systems medicine, beyond existing EU initiatives, to develop world-class training in systems medicine. Moreover, it will provide the opportunity for outstanding research that no partner institution on its own would be able to conduct. Thereby, the new generation of scientists in biomedical research will be adequately prepared for the challenges ahead.