The 2026 Antibiotics and Antibiotic Resistance course brought together PhD students and postdoctoral researchers from all major universities in Sweden for four days of intensive learning and scientific exchange. Participants represented SLU, Karolinska Institutet, Lund University, Linköping University, Malmö University, Umeå University, the University of Gothenburg, and Uppsala University, creating a strong national platform for interdisciplinary discussions and networking opportunities.

We were particularly pleased to welcome five Norwegian students through our collaboration with the Norwegian research school Microbiology Matters (MiMa | UiT). Their participation added valuable perspectives and contributed to fostering Nordic networking and scientific exchange.

This course offered a broad, interconnected perspective on antibiotic resistance, spanning from fundamental microbial mechanisms to clinical, diagnostic, and societal challenges. With a strong One Health focus, the program explored how antibiotics function, how resistance arises and spreads, and how modern diagnostics and alternative therapies can be used to combat this global threat.

Lectures were delivered by national and international experts in the field, giving participants up-to-date insights on the specific topics. By keeping the course relatively small in size, we aim to create an interactive learning environment that encourages close engagement between participants and lecturers. During the course, students found it easy to ask questions, participate in meaningful discussions, and receive constructive input on their own research projects.

One of the course highlights was the workshop on "Making sense of antibiotic resistance: Communicate for change". Many participants found this element both new and eye-opening, sparking an interest in science communication more generally, especially the idea of communicating not just to inform, but to create change.

The poster walk sessions provided a platform for participants to present and discuss their own research with peers, lecturers, and the course organizers, further emphasizing interaction and scientific dialogue.

Special thanks to the organizing committee:
Annasara Lenman, NDPIA National Director, Umeå University, Sweden
Helen Wang, NDPIA, Uppsala Antibiotic Center, Uppsala University, Sweden
Diarmaid Hughes, Uppsala Antibiotic Center, Uppsala University, Sweden
Eva Garmendia, Uppsala Antibiotic Center, Uppsala University, Sweden
Edmund Loh, NDPIA, Karolinska Institutet
Louise Lindbäck, NDPIA Project Coordinator, Umeå University, Sweden

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.

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.

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.

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.