What happens in Stockholm,
Stays in Stockholm
Scott Walker (14/10/2022)
Hospital food is much better in Sweden than in the UK
We paid 95 Kr (~1200yen) for a buffet style lunch. I was happy to try some real Swedish meatballs. But, the highlight for me was the Lingonberry juice!
After meal chat
After lunch Steve and I bounced some thoughts and questions off of Carsten. He was really generous with his time and gave me a lot of food for thought thinking about my career steps in the future and how to look at my current work style too.
My Lab Life at KI/SciLifeLab
Steven Heaton (2022/10/13)
Today I learned that Karolinska Institutet (KI; 1810~) was originally established to train excellent army surgeons to treat a wide and complex array of cases. As I reflect on my first couple of days here, I feel the tug of 'training' and 'close clinical links' like strands of tradition undulating through the modern fabric of KI. The members of my host lab embody these qualities; they are generous with their greatest asset, their time, and genuinely excited to unpick complex problems tethered to game-changing discoveries.
I also met most of the Japanese and Swedish delegations for the first time, unexpectedly even finding a potential future collaborator among them!
I'm looking forward to an inspiring and productive time here in Sweden. Skål!
Good morning SciLifeLab!
Heading to the exchange program kickoff for opening presentations and to meet the host labs.
End of the first day
Sunset near Huddinge University Hospital while heading back to the shuttle bus.
In good company
Thursday nights at SciLifeLab with new warm friends, cold beverages, and a hit of table tennis.
Working on our projects and guided tour of Biomedicum and the Nobel forum
Steven Heaton (2022/10/14)
Today after work, we had the pleasure of Dr. Matti Nikkola's expert guidance through the Solna biomedical precinct and discussion forum for the Nobel Prize in Medicine committee. I learned about the mixture of traditional and modern design principles used in the construction of both facilities, and felt inspired by the lengths the architects went to facilitate human interaction, scientific communication, and the health and happiness of researchers.
Later, participants from the Japanese side got together for an inspiring and thought-provoking discussion of our progress and lives in Sweden so far, going well into the evening!
This weekend, I'm planning to put our scientific discussions into motion. While my modified analytical pipeline is running, I will make a point of visiting cultural sites that are important to the warm and helpful people of Stockholm. As so many Japanese have with me, I want to share these wonderful experiences with my family, friends, and colleagues in Japan when I return home.
Photo: Hon Chung Chau
Tack to the wind
The Biomedicum research building has a unique design, with one aspect heavily elongated like a ship's bow.
Perhaps it's when we steer our ship to the wind together that we can make progress in the right direction and for the benefit of all.
Visiting the Nobel Prize in Medicine forum
Outside the room where the Nobel committee discusses and votes on the Nobel laureate each year.
Sharing experiences
Group reflection on our first three days of work during the exchange program and life in Sweden.
Meeting Japan's Ambassador in Sweden
Steven Heaton (2022/10/19)
Today our delegation had the privilege of meeting His Excellency Masaki Noke at his Stockholm residence. His energy and eagerness to meet all attendees was very much noted. I was fortunate to have the opportunity to meet Mr. Masaki and discuss emerging technologies for dealing with current and future pandemics, and Japan's important contributions in several of these technologies. Thank you for your warmth, many interesting questions, and stimulating discussion of these important topics.
I left feeling that Japan and Sweden will continue nurturing closer ties, and I hope that scientific exchanges such as ours will play an accelerating role in this process. Thank you for this wonderful opportunity.
Afterwards, our delegation got together and reflected on events of the present and past several days. I realized that we had all begun forging stronger bonds with each other, and now know where to find them to ask for their advice in future.
Invitation to the Ambassasor's residence
Our delegation was invited into the Ambassador's residence and treated to his famous warmth and hospitality. Having some Japanese food again was also a nice treat!
Goodnight Stockholm
Touched by the beautiful setting skyline overlooking this area of Stockholm.
Closing program
Steven Heaton (2022/10/21)
After our final presentations, we headed to the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC), headquartered in Stockholm. We learned about how ECDC serves EU member states and its evolution in response to the wide range of emerging pandemics over the past two decades. Our delegation had lots of great questions for our generous hosts, and I felt that "having a conversation" about such weighty topics has a more profound meaning in the EU context than one might imagine.
Many of us then headed to "old Stockholm" (Gamla Stan) for some sightseeing, omiyage gift shopping for our family and coworkers back home in Japan, and a lovely Swedish dinner. Nice!
ECDC's important, evolving, and continuing mission
ECDC has a long tradition of obtaining and analyzing data about emerging infectious disease risks to the EU, advising member states while strictly observing the sovereignty of all to make decisions in their national interest.
Fika in architecture
I found that many buildings here in Sweden emphasize human connection through fika, an important part of the Swedish concept of making time for friends and coworkers (lubricated through ample supply of coffee and coffee machines on most/all levels!)
Unwinding over a Swedish dinner
Rounding off the day with a delicious Swedish dinner together with my new friends among our delegation.
SciLifeLab
First Day in Sweden, we kickoff the SciLifeLab collaborating with KI, KTH and SU.
SciLifeLab is a national resource of unique technologies and expertise available to life scientists, closely intertwined with the community of researchers in areas such as biomedicine, ecology and evolution. SciLifeLab brings scientists together across traditional boundaries and foster collaborations with industry, health care, public research organizations and international partners.
Impressive and we will start one week visiting at here and polish our research.
by Xufeng SHU
Aula Medica
Just walking back to the hotel after the whole day work, I took a picture of Aula Medica when I was leaving from KI.
Aula Medica is located by Solnavägen facing the new Karolinska University Hospital.
It is beautiful and decorated by colorful glasses, shining even at night.
by Xufeng SHU
King and Queen
On 12 October, the Swedish Royal couple visited the national research infrastructure SciLifeLab together with the King and Queen of the Netherlands, to learn more about technologies to study cells and initiatives for precision medicine.
by Xufeng SHU
Nobel Prize Museum
The Nobel Prize Museum’s aim is to spread knowledge and create interest and discussion around the natural sciences and culture through creative learning, exhibition techniques and modern technology.
Opening hours
Monday: closed
Tuesday: 11-17
Wednesday: 11-17
Thursday: 11-17
Friday: 11-21
Saturday: 11-17
Sunday: 11-17
Public holidays and changed opening hours 2022
Saturday 5 November: All saints day – Open 10-21
Saturday 24 December: Christmas Eve – Closed
Sunday 25 December: Christmas Day – Closed
Monday 26 December: Boxing Day – Closed
Saturday 31 December: New Years Eve – Closed
Monday 1 January: New Years Day – Closed
by Xufeng SHU
The Royal Palace: one of Europe's largest and most dynamic palaces.
Sightseeing
by Xufeng SHU
Sightseeing
by Xufeng SHU
Sightseeing
by Xufeng SHU
Sightseeing
by Xufeng SHU
Behind the Honors...
By Yubo
The Mushroom Picking Season :D
By Yubo
To be remembered
By Yubo
Three Musketeers in Stockholm
By Yubo
Nordic style queueing
by Xin Zeng
MEB building
Have spent a full week in Department of Medical Epidemiology and Biostatistics
by Yi ZHENG
New friends in MEB
Lunch with researchers at the Karolinska hospital cafeteria
by YI ZHENG
Nobel Prize in Economics
The Nobel Memorial Prize in Economic Sciences, officially the Sveriges Riksbank Prize in Economic Sciences in Memory of Alfred Nobel. As a committee member, Prof. Per Strömberg was introducing the 2022's laureates at MEB lunch seminar.
by YI ZHENG
Nobel's grave
In the middle is Nobel's tombstone. This cemetery is located on the north side of KI. I came here on foot in a somewhat sluggish weather. Seeing the different forms of tombstones and carving art. Experienced the European burial culture.
by YI ZHENG
New Friends
It's amazing to meet so many new friends that I hope to keep in touch with.
by Scott Walker
Work hard, play hard
During the trip we worked hard and earned some time to explore beautiful Stockholm. Also to be inspired by the Nobel laureates of the past.
by Scott Walker
Nature in Stockholm
There are cat person, dog person and I am a nature person.
When preparing for my trip to Stockholm, the first thing I googled was "the best places in Stockholm for autumn foliage". The answer is: Everywhere. It is, indeed. In the urban area near our hotel, on the pedestrian road opposite of SciLifeLab building, in the graveyard near KI, everywhere I can find a piece of autumn and enjoy the beauty of nature. The whole week the weather just could not be better for a walk in the park, the sun was shining, and the air was crisp. I worked in the office and looked at the trees turning red and yellow outside the window, could not wait to spend my weekend wandering around one of the parks I googled beforehand.
Then we had a rainy weekend! But still, it couldn't stop me from going for a walk in the park nearby KI. Even though the weather was not at its best, many people shared the park with me, together with their pet dogs. And the park still looked stunning in its autumn coat despite the rain.
(Sao NGUYEN)
I took this photo on my first day at KI. This is a small green area near the SciLifeLab building. The weather on that day was beautiful.
On the way to ECDC.
Hara Park near KI in a rainy Saturday.
A house covered with red leaves in Gamla Stan.
Wandering around Gamla Stan
Gamla Stan is known as the Old Town of Stockholm, full of Swedish souvenir shops, packed with signature colorful buildings of classic designs, and nearby the Royal Palace. Even on weekdays, we can find a crowd of tourists wandering around the streets of Gamla Stan, and local people having their time in some cozy Swedish restaurants lit up by candles.
I spent one night for window-shopping, then came back the other day to burn some (lots of) money!
The neighborhood of Gamla Stan is also a pleasant area to have a walk around. With a lot of landmarks to visit.
(Sao NGUYEN)
Gamla Stan during the day
These buildings have a popular design that you can find anywhere in Stockholm. Here in Gamla Stan, they are more colorful and stand next to the Nobel Museum. You can find in the souvenir shops the miniature version of these buildings.
...and at night
It is pretty safe to have a walk at night around this area. Even though most of the shops are closed at 6 p.m, some are still open until 7 p.m, and restaurants are open late.
Things you can find here
There is a shop that sells all kinds of rubber ducks you can think of. Another sells adorable stuffed animals that it is hard for you not to buy one. You can find the traditional Dala Horse in all the shops here, and they are expensive!
Visit ECDC
(Sao NGUYEN)
Thank ECDC for welcoming us to visit their office in Stockholm.
How relieved it is now that COVID-19 is at PHE Level 1 (in WHO guidance on Public Health Emergency level, level 3 is the highest level of emergency, and level 0 is the lowest).
Didn't expect to find something very Japanese here. I saw this sculpture in the front lobby of the ECDC and took a photo of it. But it was not until today, 4 days after the visit, I searched for some photos to post on this blog and came across this one, I took a closer look at the small nameplate attached nearby, just for curiosity, and surprisingly realized that the sculpture has a very Japanese name: "Mottainai" (made by a Norwegian artist name Lassen Merete who is living in Sweden).
Mottainai in Japanese culture means "we should not waste anything". And the word mottainai is widely used in daily life in Japan when we don't want to throw away something that is still in good condition and can be reused. It is also common in an ecological way in modern life to talk about the efforts to "Reduce, Reuse, Recycle".
When I look at the sculpture, it seems like it was made from the leftovers of some other things. Maybe "mottainai" is the way it was made and thus the reason for its name.
First Impression of Stockholm
by Manli Yang
The king: Gustav Vasa
The warship Vasa
Map
Nobel Forum
Biomedicum and Aula Medica, Karolinska Institute
by Manli Yang
Concept of Health: nature and light in the lab
by Manli Yang
Plant wall
Butterfly
Light with Bohemian glass
KI Huddinge campus
What I eat...
by Manli Yang
Not bad
Friends!
by Manli Yang
Hence, Begins the Nordic Journey
by Chung-Chau Hon
Although it takes 20+ hrs to fly from the Sushiland to the Meatball Kingdom, look at their faces: excitement beats exhaustion! We are pretty much the only people in town wearing masks. 13 masked Asians walking in line with luggages, what a scene!
Connect Hotel City
A hotel that is perfect for students: Affordable with very large common area for group activities.
Kickoff the Program
by Chung-Chau Hon
Everybody seems to be super GENKI despite the jetlag. The program kicks off with a 5-minute presentation from each participants. Some participants say 5 minutes is too short to explain the project. I say if you can't explain your project to a 3rd person in 5 minutes, you probably don't know your project well.
Carsten explaining program logistics
All participants plus a few host lab reps
Sao and Manli paid attention
Steven on population variation
Sohei on marine natural products
Shufeng on RADICL-Seq
Xin on spatial transcriptomics
Manli on AML genomics
Carefully Listening and Getting Ready to Roll.
The host lab representative and the participants meet for the first time, and we are ready to start the programs!
30 mins from south campus to city
Traveling from south campus to hotel
Introducing the South KI campus
Beer @5pm after the first working day!
Unlimited supply of coffee
Talking with a Finnish researcher on the Finnish research environments
5th cup of coffee to cope with jetlag
Working late on the first day!
Tour: KI Campus & Nobel Forum
by Chung-Chau Hon
Dr Matti Nikkola kindly took around the KI campus and the Nobel forum. Unfortunately we can not go inside the Nobel forum as October is the "Nobel busy season". Matti is an incredible story teller: he told us all the stories about the Nobel forum and we felt like we sitting in room with the Nobel assembly.
Thanks Matti!
Telling the stories .......
A skeleton halogram float on the book!
The Thai restaurant that sells Sushi rolls with fried onion topping
Friday night sharing
by Chung-Chau Hon
After 3 days of working in their host labs, the students sit together for the first time and sharing their experiences. Most of them were impressed with the amazing hospitality of the host labs members. We ordered sushi rolls from a Thai restaurant across the street and apparently our Japanese colleague was not impressed with the fried onions and spicy sauce.
We grap every single Swedish bottles from the shop
We are ready!
Tons of fried stuffs from MAX - the "Swedish McDonald's"
Serious & Fun
Yi's turn for sharing experiences with the host lab: the goods and the bads
Unimpressed...
Our Japanese colleague was not impressed with the Thai sytle sushi roll
Steven's turn for experiences sharing
Even cleaner than before!!!!!
Table cleaned, the Japanese way! The table even was cleaner than before.
The sharing session lasted 5 hours, from 5 to 10 pm!
Working in the South Campus of KI
by Chung-Chau Hon
Our host lab is located in the south campus, which takes about 40 minutes of train commute from our hotel. With the help from our host lab rep we were able to get around the place without too much hassle.
Lunch at south campus: looks like a nice salad with salmon .......
But RICE underneath! お米発見！Salmon Don desu!!!!
Very nice host lab rep escorting out of the building us after 6pm (which every door is locked........)
The south campus is very "photogenic"
Worked till 10pm, most restaurants are closed but MAX - the Swedish McDonald's
Endless stairs: Metro in Stockholm is very deep.
Giant Meatball
Oversized meatball with loads of butter, bouncy and flavourful. So juicy that it bursts in your mouth.
Hunter's plate
Traditional Northern Swedish food, moose sausage, moose heart, wild boar cold cuts
Dinning with the Host lab members
We were hosted by Dr Andreas Lennartsson and Dr Soren Lehmann lab. They kindly arranged an excellent Nordic dinner for us. The dinning room was underground and it feels like a cave, matches perfectly with the gaminess of the hunter's plate.
It's time to wrap up
by Chung-Chau Hon
Each of the students came to this exchange program with a very precise data analyses task that they want to work on, under the assistance and advices from the host lab member. A week has passed and this is the time to wrap up and summarize the milestones they have achieved, in 10 minutes. For some of the students whose host lab has the perfectly matched expertise, they really did took advantage of this and received valuable advices on their project.
Coffee放題 : Coffee break in the kitchen after 2 hours of presentations.
Reception at Japanese Ambassador's Residence
by Chung-Chau Hon
We have invited all the students, host lab representatives, symposium speakers to enjoy a warm welcome reception from the Ambassador of Japan. Incredibly beautiful mansion located at a peaceful harbor. And of course............. how could a Japanese party completed without takoyaki and sushi!
Remarks by Ambassador Masaki Noke
Remarks by Ambassador Stefan Norén
SciLifeLab
Director of SciLifeLab : Dr Olli Kallioniemi
RIKEN IMS
Director of RIKEN IMS : Dr Kazuhiko Yamamoto
Karolinska Institute
President of KI : Dr Ole Petter Ottersen
"Real" Sushi in Sweden : No more fried onion topping.
Party the Japanese Way : 二次会 The second party
We had our nijikai (2nd party) at the lobby of our hotel. This is party done properly.
Overview of SciLifeLab : Dr Olli Kallioniemi
A symposium in the midst of a pandemic talking about preparing for the next pandemic
by Chung-Chau Hon
European Center of Disease Control's Pandemic Strategies by Dr Jonathan Suk
Human variation and immunology by Dr Kazuhiko Yamamoto
COVID Modeling by Dr Tetsuo Ishikawa
The community study during COVID-19 by Dr Charlotte Thålin
Rapid diagnosis by Dr Rikiya Watanabe
Coffee break!
Dr Saumya Agrawal on
host transcriptome of COVID infection
Dr Hiroshi Ohno on
microbiome of COVID infection
Dr Hidehiro Fukuyama on
adjuvant of vaccines
Dr Staffan Svärd on The Swedish Pandemic Laboratory Preparedness program
Dr Lars Engstrand on Large-scale diagnostics and tracking of SARS-CoV-2 variants
After a long day, here comes the much anticipated Sliders and Wine! Followed by a nice dinner with the speakers.
Visiting the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control
by Chung-Chau Hon
I always wonder how European countries organize themselves as the a "union" but yet remain independent from each other. Dealing with policy markers in different countries all at once is pain in the axx and seems ECDC is pretty good at it.
Don't forget your name tag!
Ground control to Major Tom,
Ground control to Major Tom!!
Ground control to Major Tom!!
Every news channel is on so you don't miss a beat!
Wind it up with yet another juicy giant meatball
by Chung-Chau Hon
That stuff taste so good, can't get enough of it.
Another Swedish classic: Shrimp toast.
Thanks Yamamoto-sensei for the wine and beer!
Craving for Asian food
by Chung-Chau Hon
Nordic food is fine. I love the meatballs. But rice and noodle are in our DNA, soy sauce is flowing in our blood stream.
Last but not the least
by Chung-Chau Hon
Home sweet home. Tired but fulfilled. Glad to see the students all learned and experienced something valuable along the way.
Japanese culture in Sweden
by Yuki Tanaka
Nintendo characters
Japanese animation characters
Nice "Miso" Ramen in Sweden
Haha! This is Swedish style "Sushi"!
Lots of fun!
by Yuki Tanaka
Table tennis for everyone!
Air hockey on the floor! XD
Take a break to enjoy a princess cake.
Do you know the onion is on display at the Nobel Museum? Look for it!
One research building of KI
The design of this building is so modern and fashionable just like artwork!! (by Weihang Zhang)
In the night
I really want to have a chance to work here and enjoy my research in this building. (by Weihang Zhang)
Inside of another research block
The inside of that building just like a shopping mall, I believe that conducting research here should be interesting!! (by Weihang Zhang)
Our last dinner in Stockholm!
Cheers for this wonderful program !!
For the last dinner, we chose one high-level restaurant which is famous for its meatball. (by Weihang Zhang)
The menu was in Swedish so we had to translate it wwww. (by Weihang Zhang)
Not only the price of the dishes is reasonable but also the taste is good. (by Weihang Zhang)
Good discussion with host lab at BioClinicum.
(by Fumiya Wada)
Discussion about AML.
(by Fumiya Wada)
Good food and beer, and perfect view from hotel. (by Fumiya Wada)
Exercise with my friend, Patrick
'Karate' with my friend, Fei
Everyday life in Sweden
During the lab time, I usually spent time with two friends, Mr. Fei and Mr. Patrick. They talked with me very friendly and led me to a variety of restaurant during lunch time. Because the Swedish cafeteria is basically buffet style, we could eat as much as we want, and my friends ate too much amount! Therefore, the daily meals were very fulfilling.
One day, we went to the Thailand restaurant to buy a lunchbox. Because it was very cold in Sweden even in October, we exercised outside before the lunchbox was ready. They told me a very funny movement. And I also taught ‘karate’ to them. Thanks to my fun friends, I was able to stay warm even when it was cold. (by Shohei Nakamukai)
Lunch in with my friends
Casual party in the SciLife building
Labratory in Sweden
Dr. Lukas, who is PI of my host lab and a specialist of bioinformatics, welcomed into the lab. He had a polite discussion with me and kindly advised me about my research. Furthermore, He made a time for me to present my research. Although the content of my research was different from that of the lab members, they asked questions enthusiastically and we could have meaningful discussions.
After the research, I participated in a casual party held in a room of the 2nd floor of the SciLife building. Most of the participants were PhD-students or postdocs and, surprisingly, they were not Swedish. Their nationalities were very diverse: China, German, Canada, Iran, Greece, Italy, Mexico and Finland. We had a good time with a snack, beer and a pleasant conversation! (by Shohei Nakamukai)
Shopping street in the old town
Riddarholmen Church before dawn
Sightseeing in Sweden
Because Swedish townscape was quite beautiful, whenever I was walking in the city, it was full of photo spots. Especially, old buildings were remained in the center of the city, and many people visited there.
In the afternoon, I took a bus and a train and went to the zoo called Skansen. There were a lot of large animals which can’t be seen in Japan, such as a bison and a moose. Furthermore, Skansen also had an exhibition of traditional Swedish life and an amusement park, so it was a place that many people could enjoy. (by Shohei Nakamukai)
In Skansen
A bison without moving
A moose. It's hard to tell how big it is from the photo…
With Dr. Lukas
With my friend, Fei
Dinner party at Japanese Ambassador's residence
At the end of the RIKEN-KI exchange program, there was a dinner party for those involved. The building was located about 15 minutes by car from the center of Stockholm, surrounded by lakes and forests. It was a place where so-called rich people lived, and I was in high spirits just being there. Luxurious Japanese food was served at the party, and Japanese people who missed Japanese food were overjoyed. The host lab PI and one member were invited to the party, and we enjoyed eating and talking together.
Through this exchange program, Dr. Lukas, lab members, and many other people helped me, and I could have a variety of experiences that I could not in Japan. Taking advantage of this experience, I would like to continue my research in the future.
(by Shohei Nakamukai)
The beautiful lake surrounding the party venue
Delicious Japanese foods serviced at the party
National flags showing friendship between Sweden and Japan