The University of Szeged has achieved outstanding positions across multiple fields on the latest ShanghaiRanking lists, which assess the world’s leading higher education institutions. The University ranks among the global top 300 in human biology, dentistry, and clinical medicine, earning a shared first place in Hungary in both human biology and dentistry. It also attained excellent national and international rankings in the fields of pharmacy and education.
On November 7, 2024, an international press event was held on the first day of the mRNA Conference at the University of Szeged. Answering questions from journalists were Katalin Karikó, Nobel laureate professor at the University of Szeged; her research partner, Professor Drew Weissman, Roberts Family Professor in Vaccine Research and Director of the Penn Institute for RNA Innovation in Medicine at the Perelman School of Medicine; and Professor László Rovó, rector of the University of Szeged, host of the symposium. The Nobel laureates answered a range of questions, touching on their latest research, how they work together, and how their lives have changed over the past year. They even shared memories of where they were when the first person landed on the Moon.
For two days, Szeged is the world’s science capital. Coming from 15 countries, leading researchers in mRNA technology, including Nobel laureates Katalin Karikó and Drew Weissman, have gathered in the Hungarian city. The mRNA conference, taking place on November 7–8 at the József Attila Study and Information Center of the University of Szeged, marks the highlight of the Celebration of Hungarian Science series of events.
The gathering of top mRNA researchers at the University of Szeged on November 7–8, 2024, adds a remarkable flair to Hungary’s Month of Science events. For those wondering what makes this event stand out, we’ve rounded up some fascinating highlights about the mRNA Conference in Szeged, sponsored by the Novo Nordisk Foundation, as well as a few notable insights from the symposium.
“Accessible, visually engaging, and packed with detailed animations!” This is how Dániel Viczián, a second-year student at the University of Szeged, described the Coursera mRNA course available on the online platform. Ahead of the international mRNA conference on November 7–8, 2024, students were encouraged to complete the course and share their feedback.
On Monday, October 21, the inaugural academic conference of the Western Balkans Competence Centre took place at the University of Szeged’s Rector’s Office, bringing together researchers and PhD students from the partner universities involved in the Centre’s international consortium.
Organized in collaboration between the University of Szeged and the 2022 Novo Nordisk Prize laureates Katalin Karikó, Drew Weissman, Ugur Şahin, and Özlem Türeci, the mRNA Conference in Szeged is a highly prominent event for Hungary’s scientific community. With the Novo Nordisk Foundation providing primary funding for the summit, this article highlights the Danish foundation’s significant contributions on a global scale.
Not sure how to get a basic understanding of mRNA and its therapeutic applications? Try the Coursera course recommended by Katalin Karikó!
The research conducted at the Geology Department of the University of Szeged, particularly by Sahroz Khan, a PhD student at the Doctoral School of Geosciences, not only makes diamond extraction more cost-effective but also significantly reduces its environmental impact. Khan's work, which focuses on differentiating between barren and diamond-rich deposits, is a key aspect of this environmentally beneficial research.
The University of Szeged already boasts three research programs aiming to harness the mRNA technology pioneered by Katalin Karikó. Prof. Dr. Antal Nógrádi’s research group is developing mRNA-based treatments for spinal cord injuries; Prof. Dr. Attila Gácser and his team are working on therapies for inflammation caused by fungal infections; and Prof. Dr. Ildikó Csóka’s research group is investigating the targeted delivery of active pharmaceutical ingredients via nano-carriers, with researcher Dr. Gábor Katona exploring whether siRNAs that inhibit mRNA decoding can be delivered to tumor cells. Additionally, Prof. Dr. Márta Széll, Vice Rector for Strategic Affairs at the University of Szeged, has revealed that the University is setting up a new research center to advance its cutting-edge mRNA research, with the Pasteur Institute now recognizing the University as its partner.
Exciting news for aspiring students! The University of Szeged is thrilled to announce that applications for its Spring intake of international self-financed study programs are now open.
Personalized hormone therapy for men may increase the chances of successful conception – this was the central message at a conference organized by the University of Szeged’s Institute of Reproductive Medicine.
The University of Szeged will be participating, face to face, in several international educational fairs abroad. Attendees can meet our University representatives and have a one on one discussion with them.
What is mRNA good for? Just over a year after October 2, 2023, when Katalin Karikó and Drew Weissman were named winners of the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine, the University of Szeged will host a conference showcasing the latest breakthroughs in mRNA research. At the press conference held to announce the event, Katalin Karikó, joining online, revealed that intensive research efforts have already led to the clinical testing of various mRNA-based drugs and treatments.
Budapest and Szeged, Hungary, September 26, 2024 – BYD places strong emphasis on Hungarian expertise and innovation in its local operations, as highlighted by Jerry Xun, Deputy General Manager of Human Resources at the global company, during his recent visit to Budapest and Szeged. Global leader in new energy vehicle production BYD, currently constructing a car plant in Szeged, held discussions with Balázs Hankó, Minister of Culture and Innovation; István Joó, CEO of the Hungarian Investment Promotion Agency (HIPA); as well as representatives from the University of Szeged and the vocational training centers in Szeged and Hódmezővásárhely.
In early November 2024, people in Szeged might easily spot Nobel laureates in the city, thanks to the upcoming international conference at the University of Szeged. Staring on November 7, the event will bring together Katalin Karikó, Drew Weissman, and other leading experts in mRNA technology.
The 28th Autumn Cultural Festival, organized by the Cultural Office of the University of Szeged, kicks off tomorrow, October 1. With over 300 events, the festival will celebrate the spirit of autumn through November 28.
The University of Szeged has become the first higher education institution in Hungary to receive the “Engaged University” certification from the Accreditation Council for Entrepreneurial and Engaged Universities (ACEEU). The certificate was awarded on September 19, 2024, at the ACEEU Europe–Africa Forum. This achievement marks yet another significant milestone for the university, highlighting its commitment and responsibility to both its immediate sphere and the broader community.
The University of Szeged earned a regional nomination for its innovative developments at the Coursera Annual Summit in the United States in September 2024.
