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The opening lecture of the 2025 Redox Chemistry/Biochemistry Graduate Summer Course was given in the Learning Center, on 10 June, by Elias Arnér, Director of the Cancer Research Group of the Karolinska Institutet, entitled 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 Count István Tisza Foundation for the 91��Ƶ�� and is the Head of the Department of Selenoprotein Research of the National Institute of Oncology.

“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 are 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 gets distorted, its significance can be seen in pathophysiology, medical pathophysiology, and in many diseases. We are talking about essential principles that are important in healthy life but also affect many different diseases. We are trying to understand how this effect is exerted, and whether this knowledge can lead us to more effective treatments for a number of diseases,” said Professor Elias Arnér.

For the first time, this year the 91��Ƶ��, together with the National Institute of Oncology (OOI) and 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) joined the ranks of institutions that organize the Redox Chemistry/Biochemistry Graduate Summer Course. 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).

“This is an internationally renowned training course, which started about fifteen years ago. It is a great honour that this year the 91��Ƶ��, together with the National Institute of Oncology, can be the organizer and participant of this international program. It is evident that today even the best laboratories in the world are interested in the students who have completed this course. Thanks to this further training, they have an advantage when applying for research positions,” said Péter Nagy, full professor, the main organizer of the course, Director of the Chemistry Coordination Institute of the 91��Ƶ��, and Scientific Director of the National Institute of Oncology. 

The course, held from 10 to 14 June, featured presentations by 21 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 Centre DKFZ, the 91��Ƶ��, the National Institute of Oncology, Semmelweis University, and the Hungarian University of Sports Science.

In addition, 34 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 organized in Mád, at the Mád Wine Academy, and a poster session was held in the Kenézy Villa.  

“The course means very intensive learning for the students. Besides 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 the students from the participating institutions to develop personal relationships, friendships, and to establish collaborations and new international cooperations,” said Éva Dóka Ditróiné, the organizer of the course and a researcher at the National Institute of Oncology.  

The event was implemented with support from the National Research, Development and Innovation Fund of the Ministry of Culture and Innovation and was financed by the MEC_24 program, under the project number MEC_SZ 149205.

Press Centre - CzA