Date: 3-5 June

Venue: Karolinska Institutet, Center for Molecular Medicine(CMM)

Topic: Aminoacyl-tRNA Synthetases for Health and Disease

On June 4-5, 2024, the Korea-Nordic Science and Technology Cooperation Center (KNTEC) held the 3rd Korea-Nordic Strategic Seminar for Research Collaboration at the Center of Molecular Medicine, Karolinska Institute. The seminar, themed “Aminoacyl-tRNA Synthetases for Health and Disease,” featured the participation of seven professors and researchers from Sweden, including Ingrid E. Lundberg, a rheumatologist and professor in rheumatology, Per-Johan Jakobsson, a consultant rheumatologist and professor in translational inflammation research, and Begum Horuluoglu, an assistant professor in the Ingrid Research Group. From Korea, six researchers attended, including Professor Sunghoon Kim from Yonsei University, Dr. Myung-Hee Kim and Dr. Kweon Yu, directors of the Korea Research Institute of Bioscience and Biotechnology (KRIBB).

The seminar commenced with a welcome remark by Professor Ingrid Lundberg, followed by an introduction of KNTEC by its director, Heewoong Park. The seminar consisted of five presentation sessions.

Recent reports have indicated that abnormalities in the function, expression, and structure of aminoacyl-tRNA synthetase (ARS) enzymes are associated with the development of various diseases. The Karolinska Institute in Sweden has extensive experience and achievements in the treatment and research of autoimmune diseases related to ARS. This focused workshop-style seminar between the world-renowned Karolinska Institute and Korean researchers in the relevant field is expected to be an opportunity to share outcomes regarding the treatment of ARS autoimmune diseases and to discover future joint research topics between Korea and Sweden.