The national Program for Academic leaders in Life Science (PALS) is an official collaboration between SciLifeLab, the DDLS Program and the four WCMM Molecular Medicine Centers.
PALS follows the success and track record of the previous WCMM and SciLifeLab collaboration termed NMMP (National Molecular Medicine Fellows Program). With PALS, 10 universities as well as the Museum of Natural History are now part of the collaboration, expanding the scope of the collaboration from molecular medicine to also include the diverse areas of life science that the data-driven research communities represent.
PALS offers excellent opportunities for experimental and computational scientists to meet in order to establish multi-disciplinary collaborations. The future leaders of Swedish life science can thereby establish strong national networks that could last for years to come and that will broadly enrich opportunities for excellence in life science.
Annual PALS calls
This annual call is part of the PALS initiative, supported by the Knut and Alice Wallenberg Foundation. The total annual grant sum is 2 MSEK, with approximately eight grants of max. 250 tSEK each to be awarded. With this call, PALS wants to support and promote scientific interactions between fellows from the different PALS programs. in the second annual call for collaborative PALS projects, eight projects have been approved for funding. We are thrilled to announce that WCMM Lund Fellows are represented in three of these projects!
Lisa Påhlman’s Innovative Approach to Cystic Fibrosis
Congratulations to Lisa Påhlman and collaborator Lotta Happonen representing SciLifeLab infrastructure, for securing funding for her project, “Data-driven proteome-wide characterization of airway inflammation and pathogen signature peptides in cystic fibrosis.” This project addresses critical challenges in cystic fibrosis care, focusing on:
- Evaluating CFTR Modulators: Investigating their impact on the airway proteome and microbiome composition.
- Developing Rapid Microbial Detection: Creating workflows based on pathogen-specific peptides to enhance diagnostics.
This research promises to improve our understanding of cystic fibrosis and advance tools for faster, more precise infection monitoring.
Nick Leigh’s Double Success
Nick Leigh successfully secured funding for two projects, both addressing gaps in molecular and regenerative research:
Project 1: DNA-Based Binders for Model Organisms
Mapping proteins in non-human and mouse model organisms often faces high costs due to antibody production. This project proposes a novel approach using multivalent DNA-based aptamers to develop cell-specific binders. These binders can be sequenced and integrated into single-cell workflows, enabling simultaneous mapping of transcripts and proteins—a transformative step for species-wide proteomics. This project is a collaboration with Erik Benson (SciLifeLab).
Project 2: Pioneering the Genomics of Limb Regeneration
In collaboration with the Cantù lab, Nick’s project dives into the enigmatic salamander genome to unravel the functional genomics of limb regeneration. By studying chromatin state dynamics and transcription regulator binding, this research aims to illuminate the genetic drivers of limb regrowth in adult tetrapods, an innovative venture in regenerative biology.
These projects exemplify the power of collaboration across WCMM, DDLS, and SciLifeLab programs. The diverse and innovative approaches highlight the depth of expertise among the Fellows and their commitment to advancing molecular and translational medicine.
Congratulations to Lisa Påhlman, Nick Leigh, and all involved in these PALS projects. We eagerly await the discoveries and innovations that will emerge from this exceptional research.
- Visit PALS Network website for a full list of approved projects