NTU has taken a step forward in the biomedical research industry.

For the first time ever, NTU has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with Karolinska Institute (KI); one of Europe’s largest medical universities and Sweden’s largest centre for medical training and research.

Details of the MOU include exchange visits for study and research for both students and faculty from KI Biomedicine Program and the NTU School of Biological Sciences (SBS).

“We hope to have the exchange visits ready by the next academic year,” said Assistant Professor Kristen Sadler who coordinates the undergraduate student exchange and attachment for SBS.

In addition, the two institutes will also explore research collaboration in areas of mutual interest in the near future.

“We are excited to work closely with Karolinska Institute, a world-class medical university,” said Professor Alex Law, acting chair of NTU School of Biological Sciences.

The institution also awards the Nobel Prize in Physiology and Medicine through the Karolinska Institute Nobel Assembly.

 This agreement started from discussions with Professor Sven Pettersson, KI coordinator for scientific relations, about two years ago, said representatives from NTU SBS. During the process, they have visited KI three times.

The MOU was signed during a 2-day symposium on Biomedical Structural Biology with participants from both countries exchanging ideas on how to prevent malaria, dengue and cancer at a molecular level.

The symposium also presented the determination of 3D structures of important dengue virus proteins and how it will be used to develop antivirals.