A great week at the University of Tromsø!
We started the week with an in-depth perspective into the importance of metabolomics, courtesy of our guest lecturer Hans Stenlund from the Swedish Metabolomic Centre, university of Umeå. He ensured we gained a detailed understanding of how we can attempt to study and capture the metabolome, and most importantly, analyse the resulting data!
Our evenings allowed us to regain some energy spent understanding these complicated concepts, first of all with an invigorating hike (or cable car ride) up Fløya mountain, and secondly, with a very competitive (and fun) round of mini-golf and beers and Storgata Camping.
On top of Fløya mountain. Photo: Joseph Diab
The third day was spent recuperating from both the drinks and the metabolomics, as we delved into proteomics; translating some of the concepts into reality with a fascinating visit to the proteomics lab at UiT’s IFA.
Photo: Joseph Diab
Thursday was the last day of lectures, where Ines and Joseph tied the week together by covering systems biology and pathway modelling/analysis as a whole, and we spent our last evening together having pizza and drinks, migrating from Pepe’s pizza to Tromsø’s historical Ølhallen.
Ines Heiland giving a presentation. Pizza in the sun! Photo: Joseph Diab
On the last day, Friday, I think we all had a lot of new information to take in and were feeling inspired to apply the theory that we had learnt during the week. This was especially clear when listening to the presentations which some brave attendees had volunteered to give, showing us what they had put together in the practical sessions during the week.
All in all, the summer school had a very enjoyable, informal and friendly atmosphere, mixed with informative lectures on very useful topics, making for a great week in a beautiful location! Thank you NORBIS, Hans, Ines and most of all Joseph for organizing the week!