The 13th Hallym-Uppsala Symposium and inauguration of antibiotic centre in Korea
On 12 November, the 13th Hallym-Uppsala Symposium took place at the Hallym University Sacred Heart Hospital in Seoul. Photo courtesy of Hallym University Medical Center.
Since 2005, the Faculty of Medicine has collaborated closely with Hallym University Medical Center in Seoul. In 2008, the two institutions held their first joint scientific symposium, which has since become an annual event, alternating between Seoul and Uppsala.
By the Linneaus Medal Laurete Wall at Hallym Sacred Heart Hospital. From the left: President Yong-Sun Kim, Chairman Hee-Sung Yoon, Deputy Vice-Rector Eva Tiensuu Janson, Dean Kyung-Ho Yu. Photo courtesy of Hallym University Medical Center.
In mid-November, a delegation from Medfarm and Uppsala Antibiotic Center (UAC) visited the Seoul for the 13th joint symposium titled ‘Precision Medicine and Innovative Therapies: Global Challenges and Advanced Solutions’.
A robot power charging station at the Hallym University Sacred Heart Hospital. Photo: Agneta Mattsson.
Researchers from both universities presented lectures on personalised diagnostics, antibiotic treatments for infectious diseases, CAR T cell therapy, and drug delivery for precision medicine. The symposium also explored the role of precision medicine in the digital twin era, including neutrophil activation, extracellular traps in cancer, and the microbiome’s impact on cardiometabolic health.
Eva Garmendia, project coordinator, presents Uppsala Antiobiotic Center at the Hallym International Antibiotic Center’s Opening Ceremony. Photo: Agneta Matsson.
Another highlight of the visit was the inauguration of the Hallym International Antibiotic Resistance Center (HIARC), an initiative first discussed by Assistant Professor Yong Kyun Kim during the 12th Hallym-Uppsala Symposium held in Uppsala in September 2023.
Ribbon Cutting at the HIARC Opening Ceremony. Photo courtesy of Hallym University Medical Center.
The group behind the HIARC/UAC Collaboration. From the Left: Eva Garmendia, Project Coordinator UAC, Yong Kyun Kim, Director HIARC, Dan Andersson, Director UAC, Nikos Kavalopoulos, Researcher, UAC. Photo courtesy of Hallym University Medical Center.
Reflections from the Uppsala speakers
Anna-Karin Olsson: “I truly enjoyed the science presented during the symposium and was excited to find so many connections to our own work and the potential for collaborations. Some initial discussions have already started. I hope to be an active part in further strengthening the ties and academic exchange between our universities in the years to come!”
Di Yu: “I am grateful for the opportunity to engage with the Hallym professors and the international cooperation team. The discussions were enriching, and I look forward to exploring further academic collaborations with Hallym University College of Medicine.”
Dan I Andersson: “The arrangements were really fantastic, and we feel very grateful and inspired. I very much look forward to future collaborations with Hallym, and HIARC and I think that together we are in an excellent position to do important and impactful work on antimicrobial resistance.”
Tove Fall: “I found all our Korean colleagues so friendly and competent in their respective fields. The visit to the hospital and seeing all the robots, the new antibiotic centre and the audiology centre was impressive. I think the opening of the AMR centre is a wise strategic decision.”
Agneta Mattsson
The coordinators of the collaboration for many years. On the right, Younghee Han, Hallym University Medical Center and, on the left, Agneta Mattsson, the Faculty Office of Medicine and Pharmacy, Uppsala University. Private photo.
Participants from Uppsala
- Eva Tiensuu Janson, Deputy Vice-Rector of the Disciplinary Domain of Medicin and Pharmacy
- Dan I Andersson, Director at Uppsala Antibiotic Center
- Christel Bergström, Vice-Dean for Collaboration
- Tove Fall, Vice-Dean for Research Infrastructure
- Anna-Karin Olsson, Professor, Department of Medical Biochemistry and Microbiology
- Åsa Johansson, Senior Lecturer, Department of Immunology, Genetics and Pathology
- Nikos Fatsis-Kavalopoulos, Researcher, Department of Medical Biochemistry and Microbiology
- Di Yu, Researcher, Department of Immunology, Genetics and Pathology
- Eva Garmendia, Project Coordinator, Uppsala Antibiotic Center
- Agneta Mattsson, Event Coordinator, Faculty Office for Medicine and Pharmacy