Hallym University Hangang Sacred Heart Hospital

The 11th Hallym-Uppsala International Symposium was successfully held at Hallym University Dongtan Sacred Heart Hospital on September 17, 2019. The symposium aimed at promoting academic collaboration between Uppsala University and Hallym University by sharing expert knowledge and clinical experiences of professors of both institutions. The symposium attracted nearly 120 participants, including medical students, scholars and researchers in the field of rheumatology, biochemistry, microbiology, gastroenterology & hepatology, laboratory medicine and pathology.

Delegation from Uppsala University, Sweden, was led by President Emeritus Anders Hallberg and Dean Emeritus Kjell Öberg of Uppsala University, who greatly contributed to strengthening the ties of Hallym and Uppsala. “Hallym and Uppsala Universities have made very productive achievements through 10 years of academic exchange and collaboration. I can proudly say that our cooperation is one of the most active ones of the world.” said Chairman Dai-Won Yoon of Hallym University in his opening address. “This year’s monumental symposium opens another decade of the two institutions. I sincerely hope a long-lasting friendship and cooperation.” President Anders Hallberg also responded in his congratulatory remarks

Distinguished scholars from Uppsala University including Professor Gunnar Pejler of Medical Biochemistry and Microbiology, Professor Per Hellström of Gastroenterology & Hepatology, Professor Lars Rönnblom of Rheumatology, Associate Professor Maija-Leena Eloranta of Rheumatology and Professor Marie Allen of Immunology, Genetics and Pathology presented their research outcomes and shared their experiences on the topic.

Experts in Hallym University, including Professor Jae-Bong Park of Biochemistry, Professor Ki Tae Suk of Gastroenterology & Hepatology, Assistant Professor Kyeong Min Son of Rheumatology, Assistant Professor Dong Jin Go of Rheumatology, Assistant Professor Miyoung Kim of Laboratory Medicine and Assistant Professor Mineui Hong of Pathology participated as speakers to give lectures on systemic inflammatory diseases in their own medical fields. Prominent medical specialists of Hallym University such as Professor Dong Joon Kim of Gastroenterology & Hepatology, Dean Sang Won Suh of Hallym University College of Medicine and Professor Young Kyung Lee of Laboratory Medicine also joined the event as chairpersons to moderate each session.

The symposium was comprised of three sessions with 11 lectures. The first session covered “Mechanism of NF-kB Activation by ROS in Cancer Cells,” “Cancer and Inflammation - the Impact of Mast Cells,” “Control of Liver Inflammation by Modulating Intestinal Microorganisms,” and “Fecal Transplant in Chronic IBS and IBD.”

After lunch, the second session began with presentations on ”The Importance of the Interferon System in SLE,” “Multidisciplinary Approach to Management of Rheumatoid Arthritis Patient,” Involvement of the Type I Interferon System in the Pathogenesis of Systemic Sclerosis,” and “Clinical Characteristics and Therapeutic Approach in Dermatomyositis.”

The last session dealt with the topics “DNA for Molecular Pathology,” “Forensic DNA Testing for Crime Scene Samples and Ancient Materials,” and “Pathophysiology of Multiple Myeloma.”

Overall, all of the participants enjoyed the opportunity to spend meaningful time with each other. The specific programs of the symposium including topics and speakers are as follows:

■ Session 1
1. Mechanism of NF-kB Activation by ROS in Cancer Cells
(Dr. Jae-Bong Park, Dept. of Biochemistry, Hallym University College of Medicine)
2. Cancer and Inflammation - the Impact of Mast Cells
(Dr. Gunnar Pejler, Dept. of Medical Biochemistry and Microbiology, Uppsala University)
3. Control of Liver Inflammation by Modulating Intestinal Microorganisms
(Dr. Ki Tae Suk, Div. of Gastroenterology & Hepatology, Dept. of Internal Medicine, Hallym University College of Medicine)
4. Fecal Transplant in Chronic IBS and IBD
(Dr. Per Hellström, Dept. of Medical Sciences, Gastroenterology & Hepatology, Uppsala University

■ Session 2
1. The Importance of the Interferon System in SLE
(Dr. Lars Rönnblom, Dept. of Medical Sciences, Rheumatology, Uppsala University)
2. Multidisciplinary Approach to Management of Rheumatoid Arthritis Patient
(Dr. Kyeong Min Son, Div. of Rheumatology, Dept. of Internal Medicine, Hallym University College of Medicine)
3. Involvement of the Type I Interferon System in the Pathogenesis of Systemic Sclerosis
(Dr. Maija-Leena Eloranta, Dept. of Medical Sciences, Rheumatology, Uppsala University)
4. Clinical Characteristics and Therapeutic Approach in Dermatomyositis
(Dr. Dong Jin Go, Div. of Rheumatology, Dept. of Internal Medicine, Hallym University College of Medicine)

■ Session 3
1. DNA for Molecular Pathology
(Dr. Mineui Hong, Dept. of Pathology, Hallym University College of Medicine)
2. Forensic DNA Testing for Crime Scene Samples and Ancient Materials
(Dr. Marie Allen, Dept. of Immunology, Genetics and Pathology, Uppsala University)
3. Pathophysiology of Multiple Myeloma
(Dr. Miyoung Kim, Dept. of Laboratory Medicine, Hallym University College of Medicine

By Yongjae Kim, Int’l Cooperation Team, HUMC (yongjae@hallym.or.kr)