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COMMONS

COMMONS is a Center of Excellence funded by the Swedish Research Council, with the theme "Commonalities in biomembrane and biomolecular interactions”. The overarching aim of COMMONS is to provide a multifaceted scientific environment focusing on unifying physicochemical processes of key importance for the function of cellular membranes and biomolecules.

The COMMONS Center brings together methodological and theoretical expertise from Lund University, Chalmers and Copenhagen University, and will serve as host for a Graduate School and a Visiting Professor program to attract experts from a broad field of biomembrane and biomolecular sciences.

Vision

NEWS

Inauguration of the ESS Lighthouse

On September 18, the ESS Lighthouse: Colloids and Interfaces in Food and Pharma (CaIFF), lead by COMMONS-PI Professor Martin Malmsten, was officially inaugurated.

CaIFF focuses on out-of-equilibrium multi-phase colloidal systems, their investigation with large-scale neutron- and synchrotron methods, and their application in pharmaceutical and food products (https://pharmacy.ku.dk/research/caiff/).

While formally run from the University of Copenhagen and Aarhus University, the links to COMMONS are strong through already established collaborations and mutual participation in both directions in workshops and seminars. Looking forward, synergies between COMMONS with CaIFF are expected to develop further. Reflecting this, colleagues from Lund University, Copenhagen University, and Aarhus University all joined the inauguration (together with participants from ESS, industry, and the healthcare sector) and contributed to fruitful and enjoyable discussions about future joint opportunities.

Academic Forum Publication

Joakim Stenhammar’s essay ”On starlings and the thermodynamics of life” is now published at EuroZine. The essay was originally published in Glänta’s issue ”Life ” as part of the collaboration with COMMONS Academic Forum.

Cryo-EM Summer school

During last week of August, we explored the physics of electron microscopy, cryo-specimen preparation, and a range of applications to soft matter. We also shared unforgettable experiences together, from in-depth technical lectures, lab visits and visiting the Cryo-EM@MAX IV facility in Lund.

This week was not just about learning but also about building a community at the frontiers of cryo-EM research. We look forward to seeing where the knowledge, collaborations, and ideas from this Summer School will lead!

Report on the first year of COMMONS

A year has now passed since COMMONS was inaugurated at the Department of Chemistry. What has happened since then? How has the centre approached its mission – and what lies ahead?

In this interview, Centre Director Emma Sparr and Centre Coordinator Felix Roosen-Runge share how they’ve worked since the start, how they aim to develop the research environment – and why COMMONS has become a central meeting place for discussion and reflection.

Sajitha Sasidharan, Sara Linse, Anna Stradner, Emma Sparr, Nicole Galenkamp, Ferdinand Fandrei

The role of experiments

Academic Forum
May 5 at 13.15 in KC:A

The role of experiments for science seems apparent, but how has it changed over time and between disciplines?

After an input by Julia Ravanis, we will have a panel discussion to inspire reflections on the structure of science

WHAT IS LIFE? HOW DID IT START?

Release event of Glänta magazine issue "What is Life".

April 8 at 17.00 @ Pufendorf Institute.

The program includes: reading, panel discussions, mingle & light food. The presentations will be run in Swedish, while questions and discussion in English are welcome!

The issue is made in collaboration with the COMMONS Center.

More information and registration.