Sigurður Yngvi Kristinsson, Professor at the Faculty of Medicine, has received a 1.5 million Euro grant from the European Research Council for the study iStopMM (Iceland Screens Treats or Prevents Multiple Myeloma).
This grant is an addition to another major grant Sigurður Yngvi received in spring 2016 for the same study from the International Myeloma Foundation in the United States. Jón Atli Benediktsson, Rector of the University of Iceland, says the grant is an important recognition for Sigurður Yngvi, as well as for scientific research at the University of Iceland.
Important for the study
Sigurður Yngvi says the grant is an important recognition for himself personally and his team, as well as being a stamp of quality for the study itself. He says the grant is vital for the study and that it provides a platform for further strengthening the research team.
"This grant is extremely important to all of us associated with iStopMM. First of all it is a real acknowledgement of the research we have worked on in the past and a grant from the ERC is one of the most important stamps of approval one can receive for scientific work and research ideas. The grant enables us to do even better than originally planned. We will be able to hire more scientists for the project, we will for instance hire doctoral students, nurses and biologists," say Sigurður Yngvi. "The study will provide massive data on the prophase of myeloma and on myeloma in general. Never before has a larger or more extensive study been carried out in one country. This is in fact a unique opportunity that Icelanders have to do good and we will undoubtedly procure important knowledge on the prophase of myeloma, which will benefit future patients all over the world."
An acknowledgement of the University's dynamic research
Jón Atli Benediktsson, Rector of the University of Iceland, says that this impressive research grant is first and foremost a great acknowledgement for Professor Sigurður Yngvi Kristinsson and his research, but also for the excellent integral scientific research conducted within the University of Iceland.
Jón Atli says that only prominent scientists receive grants from ERC. "These are usually five year grants and among the highest allocated to individual scientists. The competition is fierce, and the most proficient scientists from European universities participate. Sigurður Yngvi has built a strong research team that has achieved unique success internationally. The study on myeloma has invaluable societal importance in our battle against cancer and its consequences."
Rector says that the grant Sigurður Yngvi received is also an invaluable acknowledgment for the University of Iceland and its dynamic scientific research. "Research scientists at the University of Iceland have in recent years received four grants from the European Research Council which is an unequivocal tribute to the dynamic scientific research conducted at the University. These grants show that the University of Iceland employs leading researchers in their respective fields. Behind this result is the tireless work and efforts of many, both employees and students, ready to go the lengths needed in the acquisition of knowledge, tackling today’s challenges. The results are based on vital collaboration with international and domestic parties, such as the University hospital as is the case here. We are proud of Sigurður Yngvi and his team's results. We have high hopes for this study and wish them all the best," says the Rector of the University of Iceland.
Grants for excellent research scientists
The European Research Council (ERC)) is a part of Horizon 2020, the biggest EU Research and Innovation programme. The main goal of the European Research Council (ERC) is to encourage high quality research in Europe through competitive funding. Only excellent research scientists with unique ideas receive grants. It is thus an important mark of quality as the application process is strenuous and the competition is fierce. In addition, all projects that receive an ERC grant have to have passed quality control of the Scientific Council, as well as science and ethical committees.
About iStopMM
The aim is to identify and treat precursors of blood cancer before the disease develops. A part of the study is to invite approximately 140,000 adults over age 40 years in Iceland for screening the earliest signs of myeloma. Sigurður Yngvi Kristinsson, Professor and Project Leader, says that his team plans on screening for the precursors to myeloma – MGUS (monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance) and smoldering myeloma. “We will utilize the fact that most elderly individuals will undergo routine blood tests for various unrelated reasons. We will thus use blood that is otherwise thrown away.”
The study iStopMM will seek informed consent of all citizens of Iceland over the age of 40 to undergo routine blood tests. “Those individuals diagnosed with the precursors will then be invited to participate in a randomized clinical trial to identify the best strategy for management and to create a new risk model for disease progression.” While most MGUS cases are never diagnosed, it is estimated that 4% of people over the age of 50 have MGUS.
Further information on iStopMM(Icelandic only).