The 13th Nordic EMBL Partnership meeting, hosted by NCMM in Oslo from September 16–19, 2024, gathered over 160 participants from across the Nordic nodes and EMBL. Held at Litteraturhuset, the event featured scientific presentations, strategic discussions, and networking activities. It emphasized collaborative research in molecular medicine and celebrated joint achievements, including early-career researcher support and cross-node initiatives like NORPOD.
In 2024, the Nordic EMBL Partnership received a grant of NOK 20 million for the NORPOD program, a collaborative postdoctoral initiative designed to advance molecular medicine research across the Nordic countries. The funding, allocated for the period 2024–2028, aims to foster innovation in precision medicine, cancer research, and neurodegenerative diseases. By supporting postdoctoral researchers, the program strengthens the Nordic research community and encourages cross-border collaboration to tackle pressing medical challenges. The grant is part of NordForsk’s broader efforts to promote Nordic cooperation in scientific and technological advancements.
“All Nordic societies urgently need improved treatments and diagnostics for cancer, infections and neurodegenerative diseases. Across our Nordic partnership we have remarkable complementary research competence in these areas, which the NORPOD programme will connect. I am excited that we can now open a new chapter in Nordic research collaboration by building a community of molecular medicine researchers across borders.”
- Oliver Billker, Speaker of the Nordic EMBL Partnership
Amanda Muñoz-Juan has been introduced as one of the first NORPOD Fellows in the Nordic EMBL Partnership. As a postdoctoral researcher at DANDRITE, she focuses on understanding motor control using the zebrafish model. The NORPOD program supports early-career researchers across Nordic EMBL institutions, fostering collaboration and mobility. Amanda emphasizes the value of mentorship and international networking in advancing neuroscience research.
"I found the NORPOD postdoc programme quite interesting; the different topics it offers and the possibility of collaborating between two entities in two different countries attracted me the most. I was also looking for a long-term fellowship, so two and a half years is quite a reasonable period for learning and obtaining results. In addition, I wanted to learn some new techniques, and I think this program also offers the opportunity to acquire new skills."
- Amanda Muñoz-Juan
In 2024, DANDRITE updated its Association Programme by appointing 12 new affiliated researchers, including two former group leaders, Sadegh Nabavi and Mark Denham. The renewed programme aims to strengthen collaborations between affiliated researchers and DANDRITE's new group leaders, fostering a vibrant neuroscience community. Affiliates bring diverse expertise to the programme, enhancing research synergies and contributing to DANDRITE's mission as a talent incubator.
"It is encouraging that so many research groups wish to continue being part of our Association Programme. This confirms that the programme has merit and that the seeds we have sown are evolving into
sustainable partnerships"- Director Poul Henning Jensen
Becoming an affiliated researcher at DANDRITE marked a strategic step in Professor Daan van Aalten's transition toward a stronger focus on neurobiology. With a background outside the field, his work on a rare genetic disease—linked to defects in post-translational modifications—naturally pushed his research into the neuroscience domain. Before officially joining DANDRITE, Daan had already initiated collaborations with several group leaders. Through the affiliation, these partnerships have deepened, while new ones have emerged, particularly through exposure to techniques and expertise not previously available in his own lab. Regular participation in DANDRITE community events, such as scientific talks and group leader lunches, has proven especially valuable for connecting across disciplines and sparking new ideas. In return, Daan van Aalten brings an applied perspective to DANDRITE’s primarily fundamental research focus, including work with stem cells, fly and mouse models, and a strong connection to patient networks. With several new joint initiatives underway, Daan emphasizes the importance of being an active and contributing member of the community—joining only when confident he could offer something meaningful in return.
"Joining DANDRITE had always been part of my longer-term strategy. It exposes me to new techniques, connects me with researchers I wouldn't otherwise meet, and helps translate our applied work into collaborative opportunities. It’s not just about being part of a network—it’s about contributing meaningfully to it."
- Professor Daan van Aalten
