ONCORNET2.0 Final Symposium at VU Amsterdam, 31 August – 1 September 2023

On Thursday 31 August and Friday 1 September the Final Symposium of ONCORNET2.0 took place at the VU. ONCORNET2.0 is an EU-funded MSCA Marie Curie (ITN) project, coordinated by Prof. Martine Smit. For a full auditorium of (mostly) GPCR scientists from around Europe, ONCORNET2.0 early stage researchers (ESRs) and invited speakers gave inspiring lectures on the exciting outcome of their ONCORNET2.0 studies and related work. 

At the end of the symposium coordinator Martine Smit indicated to be very proud of this second cohort of ONCORNET-trained PhD students. “They really have become part of the ONCORNET family. With PhD studies starting in the first COVID lockdown, times have not been easy for this group. However, they did a great job presenting excellent science, clearly showing the network collaborations and trainings, and the added benefits of that. We wish them all the best in finishing their thesis in the coming months/year, and a lot of success in the next steps in their careers.”  

Earlier in the week the group of ESRs received their final training. During a Workshop by Learning by Simulation (LBS), the lengthy and complex drug development process was simulated in 3 days. With the extensive onsite and online training the Marie Curie fellows have received in the last three years, they have become multidisciplinary (GPCR) scientists.   

With the tools (small molecules, nanobodies, biosensor assays) and model systems for the oncogenic chemokine receptor CXCR4 (involved in cancer and metastasis) and the atypical receptor ACKR3 in place, the signaling networks and translational effects can be studied in more detail. More ONCORNET2.0 publications (and PhD defenses) are expected in the upcoming year. Please check out our website www.oncornet.eu regularly for updates. 

Martine Smit (coordinator), Jacqueline van Muijlwijk (educational counsellor) and Ellen Langemeijer (project manager)