A tribute to the International Wolfsberg Meeting on Molecular Radiation Biology/Oncology - PDF Version

You may have received a “save the date” email announcement or you may have heard from colleagues that the 16thbis international Wolfsberg meeting on molecular radiation biology/oncology will take place from 17 to 19 June 2023, in the Hurdalsjøen Hotel, Norway. People who have participated in this renowned series of meetings before know what I am talking about. For the others, I offer here a short overview in an attempt to convince you to join.

The official “first announcement – save the date” stated the following about the meeting:

“Founded in 1997, this meeting series is considered one of the international top-meetings in the field and will now bring back together basic scientists from molecular and cell biology, tumour biology and radiation biology with preclinical and clinical scientists working in the field of experimental radiation oncology. The conference design, including intense poster sessions and the special settings, have always enabled a special conference spirit and discussion of specific topics with potential impact for translational research and perspectives for future clinical application.”

It is indeed an international top meeting; for example, previously invited lecturers have included Mary-Helen Barcellos-Hoff, Martin Brown, Mark Dewhirst, Ian Stratford, Peter Vaupel, Michele De Palma, Andy Minn, Saskia Ellenbroek, Amato Giaccia, Lars Zender and Karen Knudsen. The conference design, in a remote venue with all facilities on site, ensures that close interactions between young and established basic and clinical scientists can take place, as the meeting is centred around extensive poster discussions that certainly will expedite your own research. Imagine: such a discussion could result in a better experiment that will lift your paper to a higher level.

The social events – e.g., barbecue, conference dinner, sports event, bar – further nourish these interactions. The Wolfsberg cup has been and still is a desired item among many scientists, so an intense competition during a special (sports) event is assured. People might remember the alphorn, the soccer, the boat-in-the-swimming-pool competition and many more. The most important lesson I’ve learned here is: don’t forget to bring your sports clothes and bathing suits.

At the end of the 15th Wolfsberg meeting in 2017, Hans Peter Rodemann and Stephan Bodis passed the organization baton to Nils Cordes and Martin Pruschy. Unfortunately, reconstruction at the Wolfsberg Castle Conference Centre and a pandemic led to the delay and eventual cancellation of the last Wolfsberg meeting. However, a new organiser team has re-initiated the Wolfsberg meeting series and plans to hold alternating meetings in Norway and Switzerland. It is an honour to be part of this team.

In a nutshell, we will offer you an interesting mix of talks and poster sessions, with ample time to discuss science and relax during social events. Join us at the next Wolfsberg meeting to be held in the Hurdalsjøen Hotel, Norway, June 17-19, 2023, and start to enjoy new experiences, as I did from 2007 onwards.

See you all there!

Ludwig Dubois
Associate Professor
Maastricht University
Maastricht, The Netherlands