LUVC has been established and also includes a security lab on the hospital grounds in Malmö and is the only official virus center in Scandinavia. The inauguration marks an important investment in virus research that will strengthen both healthcare and society's preparedness for future pandemics. By gathering expertise in academia, healthcare and society, cutting-edge research will be conducted here, for the benefit of patients and citizens.
Long-term virus research
Jan Astermark, Head of the Department of Translational Medicine, introduced and moderated. Vice-Chancellor Erik Renström and Dean of the Faculty of Medicine Maria Björkqvist spoke about the importance of a virus centre. Joakim Esbjörnsson-Klemendz, Marianne Jansson and Patrik Medstrand, researchers at LUVC, talked about their visions for the centre.
"We hope that LUVC will contribute to strengthening broad and long-term virus research, which can contribute to better prevention and treatment of viruses," said Joakim Esbjörnsson-Klemendz.
Niklas Arnberg, Professor of Virology, Umeå University, and Secretary General of the Virus and Pandemic Fund gave the congregation national perspectives on virus research and pandemic preparedness. Jesper Petersson, Head of Research, Region Skåne, and Ulrika Ringdahl, CEO, Smile Incubator, also spoke.
Then it was time for mingle, bubbles and babble.