Hosted by WCMM Link枚ping from 20鈥�22 May 2026, this year's conference brought together fellows and research leaders from the DDLS, SciLifeLab and WCMM/WCMTM programs, alongside representatives from national research infrastructures and the Knut and Alice Wallenberg Foundation. For the first time, researchers from the two Wallenberg financed programs MIMS and WIFORCE also joined the meeting, further broadening the network and creating new opportunities for collaboration across Sweden's Life Science landscape.
A National Platform for Scientific Exchange
The three-day conference opened at Link枚ping University's Campus Norrk枚ping with welcome remarks from WCMM Link枚ping Director David Engblom, followed by a keynote lecture from Ronald T. Raines, Professor at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. In his presentation, Minimalism: Functional Peptides in Living Systems, Raines highlighted how simple peptide structures can perform remarkably complex biological functions, offering new perspectives for biomedical research.
Participants then visited the Visualisation Center in Norrk枚ping, where Professor Anders Ynnerman introduced the centre's pioneering visualization technologies and research initiatives. The visit showcased how advanced visualization methods are transforming scientific discovery, communication and education across disciplines.
The meeting continued at Vildmarkshotellet in Kolm氓rden, overlooking Br氓viken and surrounded by the forests and wildlife of Kolm氓rden. The inspiring setting provided an ideal environment for scientific discussions, networking and the formation of new collaborations.
Scientific Excellence Across Disciplines
A central objective of PALS is to create meaningful connections between curiosity-driven, technology-driven and data-driven research communities. Throughout the meeting, fellows presented their work through a series of short talks covering a wide range of topics, from artificial intelligence and engineering to molecular biology, systems biology, evolution and translational medicine.
Another highlight of the scientific programme was the keynote lecture by Agnel Sfeir, Professor at the Sloan Kettering Institute. Her presentation, Rewiring the DNA Damage Response: Pol胃 as a Target in Cancer, provided insights into emerging therapeutic strategies that exploit DNA repair mechanisms in cancer cells.
The conference also showcased the impact of the PALS Collaboration Call, an initiative supported by the Knut and Alice Wallenberg Foundation to stimulate new collaborations between fellows from different PALS programmes, institutions and scientific disciplines. The call supports innovative projects across the full spectrum of Life Science research, including molecular medicine, technology-driven and data-driven research, as well as fundamental, preclinical, translational and clinical science.
Presentations from recipients of the 2025 PALS Collaboration Call demonstrated how the programme is enabling ambitious multidisciplinary research partnerships that transcend traditional institutional and disciplinary boundaries.
Participants were also informed about the launch of the 2026 call, opening new opportunities for collaborative projects or events within the growing PALS community.
