Welcome to NDPIA!
The National Doctoral Programme in Infection and Antimicrobials (NDPIA) is a research school funded by the Swedish Research Council (VR) and is affiliated with UCMR (Umeå Centre for Microbial Research) at Umeå University.
NDPIA research school aims to play an important role in training the next generation of scientists that will confront the global public threat of infectious diseases and antimicrobial resistance. NDPIA excels in training young researchers in this area by enhancing their skills and knowledge, fostering collaboration and interdisciplinary learning, offering career development courses to help retain these researchers, and serving as a global network for infection biology researchers. The suggested NDPIA programme presents in-depth training courses and activities that equip individuals with the necessary comprehension to tackle these pressing health-care challenges using a One-Health strategy. These courses also increase understanding of healthcare policies and the societal and economical effects of infectious diseases and antimicrobial resistance.
NDPIA supports participation in these activities by co-funding the course and accommodation costs for its members. PhD students and postdoctoral fellows enrolled at a Swedish university/institute or and studying infection biology and/or antibimicrobials are welcome to apply for membership.
Recent news:
The 2025 Vaccine Development course brought together doctoral students and early-career researchers from across Sweden for three intensive days of learning and exchange. Held at Aronsborg Konferenshotell in Bålsta, this was the first course jointly organized by NDPIA and its sister school NDP-VIP, marking a successful collaboration that attracted participants from SLU, Karolinska Institutet, Lund University, Umeå University, the University of Gothenburg, and Uppsala University.
Group photo of the participants attending the Vaccine Development course in October 2025. Photo by staff at Aronsborg Konferenshotell.
The course program spanned the full spectrum of modern vaccinology from the fundamentals of immune protection and classical vaccine platforms to next-generation technologies, GMP manufacturing, and regulatory pathways for vaccine approval. Participants also explored the scientific and practical challenges of developing vaccines against viral, bacterial, and parasitic infections, as well as specific topics such as travel and oral vaccines, cancer immunization, and determinants of vaccine effectiveness.
Lecture on “Challenges in vaccine development against parasitic diseases” given by Simon Draper, University of Oxford, UK. Photo by Louise Lindbäck.
Lecture on “Determinants of vaccine effectiveness: vaccine mechanisms, host factors and the epidemiological impact of herd immunity” given by Margaret Liu, University of California San Francisco, USA. Photo by Louise Lindbäck.
Beyond the lectures delivered by leading Swedish and international experts, the course emphasized interaction and collaboration. Poster sessions provided a platform for students to present their research, while informal networking and discussion sessions fostered scientific exchange and community building across disciplines and institutions.
Students presented their research through engaging poster walks, fostering discussions and peer learning. Photo by Louise Lindbäck.
The Vaccine Development course not only deepened participants’ understanding of the science and strategy behind vaccine innovation but also strengthened the national research network dedicated to advancing immunology and infectious disease research.
To view the full course program, please visit: Vaccine Development 2025 | NDPIA Special thanks to the organizing committee:Ali Mirazimi, Karolinska Institutet, Sweden
Annasara Lenman, NDPIA and NDP-VIP Director, Umeå University, Sweden
Louise Lindbäck, NDPIA and NDP-VIP Project Coordinator, Umeå University, Sweden
The 11th National Infection Biology (NIB) meeting 2025 was held between 20-21 October at Aronsborg Konferenshotell in Bålsta. This meeting brought together over 120 researchers from across Sweden to explore cutting-edge developments in infection biology. The program featured a dynamic mix of presentations from leading scientists in Sweden and abroad, as well as young researchers, fostering inspiring discussions and valuable networking opportunities.
Group photo of the participants at the 11th National Infection Biology (NIB) Meeting 2025, held at Aronsborg Konferenshotell in Bålsta. Photo: staff at Aronsborg.
Participants represented all major Swedish universities, from Umeå University in the north to Lund University in the south. The aim of the meeting was to promote cross-disciplinary research and to strengthen the national network of scientists working within infection biology and microbiology.
The scientific program showcased research across a wide range of sub-disciplines, including:
- Bacteriology
- Virology
- Eukaryotic Microbiology
- Host-microbe interactions
- Environmental Microbiology
- Data Driven Life Science
In addition to the talks, poster walks provided a platform for participants to present and receive feedback on their own research projects in an informal and engaging setting.
Award winners for Best Short Talk or Poster Presentation at NIB 2025! Congratulations to our top presenters, Miren Urrutia Iturritza (Stockholm University), Elin Svedholm (Uppsala University), and Nuno Rufino De Sousa (Karolinska Institutet)! Photo: Ingrid Söderbergh.
Thank You to All Participants, Co-organizers, and Sponsors!
This meeting was co-organized by:
We gratefully acknowledge the support of our funding sources and sponsors:
Illustrator: Instagram @Ina.Schuppe.Koistinen