The Lundberg Foundation celebrated researchers awarded new funding
The Lundberg Foundation's grants for research in cancer, kidney disease, and orthopedics hold immense significance for western Sweden. This was evident when this year’s recipients shared brief descriptions of their projects at a ceremony on Medicinareberget.
Sahlgrenska Academy's Dean, Jenny Nyström, attended the ceremony not only in her capacity as dean but also as one of the researchers awarded funding in this round. She expressed the university’s deepest gratitude to the Lundberg Foundation, which once again makes advanced research possible by financing the purchase of cutting-edge instruments. The foundation's focus on funding the acquisition of new instruments was especially appreciated by the assembled researchers, who often struggle to find resources to update this critical equipment.
Over one billion SEK
This year, the foundation is awarding a total of 43 million SEK to projects focused on cancer, kidney diseases, and orthopedics, with nearly half of the funds allocated to researchers at the University of Gothenburg. Since its inception, the Lundberg Foundation has contributed over a billion SEK to Swedish research, a substantial support that has significantly impacted development. The foundation's mission is to primarily fund research in western Sweden, with a focus on institutions in Gothenburg and Lund.
Christina Backman, Chair of the Board of the IngaBritt and Arne Lundberg Research Foundation, led the program during the ceremony:
"This ceremony is something of a re-launch for the foundation, and we hope it will become an annual event. It’s wonderful to meet the researchers and hear more about how the funds benefit their research," said Christina Backman.
Similar evaluations
The two board members and professors, Olle Larkö and Gunilla Westergren-Thorsson, each review and assess all applications individually. However, when they compare their evaluations, they often find them to be nearly identical, according to Olle Larkö.
One of the researchers who gave a brief presentation was Professor Marie Lagerquist, whose basic research explores how estrogen protects bone. Her goal is to harness these mechanisms to prevent osteoporosis, while also avoiding the health risks associated with taking estrogen as medication. She shared that, with support from the Lundberg Foundation, she was able to purchase a flow cytometer in 2013 that has been used extensively. She is now receiving 3.9 million SEK to acquire a more advanced flow cytometer.
"With the new instrument, we will study how different cell populations in the bone marrow, as well as other immunological organs, are affected by estrogen, thereby increasing our understanding of estrogen’s protective effects," said Marie Lagerquist.
This year’s distribution also includes funds for Universeum to establish a new learning station on medical technology, and for the publication of Forskning och Framsteg (Research and Progress) magazine.
Text: Elin Lindström
Photo: Hannes Almeräng
