# International Student Congress Of (bio)Medical Sciences

The International Student Congress Of (bio)Medical Sciences, also known as ISCOMS, is an annually held student congress on biomedical sciences. The primary aim of ISCOMS is getting medical students acquainted with research and its many elements. 603 participants from 54 countries attended the 31st edition of ISCOMS in 2024. The 32nd edition of ISCOMS will take place from the 2nd to the 5th of June, 2025.

## History

ISCOMS started as a congress for medical students in Groningen, named "Studenten Congres Geneeskunde". In 2003, the Student Congres Geneeskunde changed to an international congress with the name International Student Congress of Medicine. In 2004 the name was changed to ISCOMS. In 2010, the name was changed to the International Student Congress Of (bio)Medical Sciences, to show that it is a congress for students in all biomedical fields.

## Location

ISCOMS takes place at the University Medical Center Groningen (UMCG) in the Netherlands. It is one of the largest hospitals in the world, offering supraregional tertiary care to the northern part of the Netherlands. The medical center employs almost 17.000 people, numbers almost 1.400 beds and is affiliated with the University of Groningen.

## Congress structure

The congress is for (bio)medical students who are interested in research. Students may be either presenting or non-presenting participants. If a participant wants to present their research, they are required to submit their abstract beforehand. A strict selection procedure takes place and only the best students are invited to present their research at ISCOMS. Nonetheless, everybody is welcome to ISCOMS to attend the keynote lectures and to participate in workshops.
When accepted, participants are divided into different sessions in which they present their research. This may be either through a poster presentation, or an oral presentation where students can present their research using a slideshow presentation. In both sessions other students and professionals from the UMCG listen and discuss the research. Thirdly, there is a plenary session, during which the eight best abstracts will be presented in the primary lecture hall of the UMCG.
The congress also holds pre-course masterclasses about research skills, and a great variety of workshops during the congress days on practical skills. Besides that, ISCOMS offers keynote lectures from renowned scientists presenting their research to the participants.
Moreover, ISCOMS offers an extensive social programme, where all the participants have the opportunity to get to know each other and the ISCOMS organising committees. Finally, there is a post-congress tour visiting parts of the Netherlands.

## Keynote Speakers ISCOMS 2025

| ISCOMS year | Keynote speaker | Research |
| 2025 | Prof. Hans Clevers, MD PhD | Advanced stem cell research and pioneered the development of organoids for medical research |
| 2025 | Prof. Peter Hegemann, PhD | Discovered light-sensitive proteins and contributed to the development of optogenetics for controlling neuron activity with light |
| 2025 | Prof. David Huang, MD PhD | Pioneered Optical Coherence Tomography, a revolutionary imaging technique for detailed visualisation of tissues like the retina |
| 2025 | Prof. Awa Marie Coll-Seck, MD PhD | Led global health initiatives to combat malaria, HIV, and AIDS while promoting health equity |
| 2025 | Prof. Svetlana Mojsov, PhD | Developed glucagon-like peptide-1 therapy for the treatment of type 2 diabetes |

## Nobel Prize laureates at ISCOMS

Nobel Prize laureates who have given a keynote lecture during one of the previous ISCOMS editions.
| ISCOMS year | Nobel Prize laureate | Research |
| 2024 | Prof. Brian Kobilka MD PhD, Nobel Laureate 2012 | Structural insights into G protein coupled receptor activation |
| 2022 | Regental Prof. Bruce Beutler MD, Nobel Laureate 2011 | From phenotypes to genes in immunity |
| 2021 | Prof. Sir Peter J. Ratcliffe MD, Nobel Laureate 2019 | Understanding cellular oxygen sensing mechanisms: implications for medicine |
| 2019 | Prof. Mario R. Capecchi PhD, Nobel Laureate 2007 | Mouse models of human disease from cancer to neuropsychiatric disorders |
| 2017 | Prof. Ben L. Feringa PhD, Nobel Laureate 2017 | The development of multistage chiral catalysts |
| 2017 | Sir R.T. Hunt PhD, Nobel Laureate 2001 | The discoveries of key regulators of the cell cycle |
| 2016 | Prof. Stefan W. Hell PhD, Nobel Laureate 2014 | Overcoming Abbe's diffraction-limited resolution barrier in a light-focusing fluorescence microscope |
| 2015 | Prof. Martin Chalfie PhD, Nobel Laureate 2008 | The discovery and development of the green fluorescent protein, GFP |
| 2014 | Prof. Ada E. Yonath PhD, Nobel Laureate 2009 | Studies of the structure and function of the ribosome |
| 2012 | Prof. Mario Capecchi, Nobel Laureate 2007 | The discoveries of principles for introducing specific gene modifications in mice by the use of embryonic stem cells |
| 2011 | Prof. H. zur Hausen, Nobel Laureate 2008 | The discovery of human papilloma viruses causing cervical cancer |
| 2011 | Sir R.T. Hunt PhD, Nobel Laureate 2001 | The discoveries of key regulators of the cell cycle |
| 2009 | Prof. Ferid Murad MD PhD, Nobel Laureate 1998 | The discoveries concerning nitric oxide as a signalling molecule in the cardiovascular system |
| 2009 | Prof. Robin Warren MD PhD, Nobel Laureate 2005 | The discovery of the bacterium Helicobacter pylori and its role in gastritis and peptic ulcer disease |
| 2008 | Prof. Gunter Blobel MD PhD, Nobel Laureate 1999 | The prize for the discovery that proteins have intrinsic signals that govern their transport and localization in the cell |

## Other remarkable keynote speakers at ISCOMS

| ISCOMS year | Keynote speaker | Research |
| 2023 | Prof. Robert S. Langer ScD | From nanotechnology to mRNA therapies, and what’s to come: How overcoming scepticism and barriers led to new cancer and heart disease treatments, vaccines, and ways to tackle global health challenges |
| 2023 | Prof. Maria Yazdanbakhsh PhD | The immunological footprints generated by different environmental factors and their importance in vaccine research |
| 2022 | Prof. Jeffrey M. Friedman MD PhD | Leptin and the regulation of food intake and body weight |
| 2022 | Prof. Karl Deisseroth MD PhD | Inner workings of channelrhodopsins and brains |
| 2021 | Prof. Ellen Roche PhD | Therapeutic strategies for cardiac disease using soft materials, structures and devices |
| 2019 | Prof. Andrea B. Maier MD PhD | The future of age |
| 2018 | Prof. Ugur Sahin MD PhD | The identification and characterisation of new target molecules (antigens) for immunotherapy in cancer tumors |

## This year's theme

The theme for ISCOMS 2025 is ‘Harmonious Healthcare’, addressing the global challenges related to the environment, climate change, conflict, and healthcare. We will focus on the collaboration between the Global North and Global South. These concepts refer to the diverse socio-economic landscapes of our world. In the developing countries of the Global South, there is a young and dynamic population with great potential for innovative ideas. Meanwhile, the Global North has advanced technological knowledge, but its population is ageing. Our core question is: how can these two worlds strengthen each other in a harmonious and beneficial way? We aim to approach these complex global issues with optimism to find solutions together. Harmonious Healthcare represents the alignment of various topics aimed at bringing together diverse backgrounds and talents.

## Organisational structure

The organisation of ISCOMS consists of (bio)medical students from the University of Groningen. There are nine Executive Board members and 25 committee members. Committees include the Scientific Programme, Sponsors & Fundraising, International Contacts, Hosting & Logistics, Media & Branding, and Research & Development.

## ISCOMS Research Fellowships (IRF)

ISCOMS is more than just a congress; it also incorporates several different projects. The ISCOMS Research Fellowships (IRF) is such a project and is unique in Europe and has become an integral part of the experience. It provides a starting point for students to pursue a career in medical sciences, broaden their scientific network, increase the range of their knowledge and amplify their experience with research by giving 30 enthusiastic and talented students the opportunity to join a research group in the University Medical Center Groningen. During a challenging two-week period, chosen students will work on their own individual project and for some this may transcend into a chance to conduct a long-term PhD project in Groningen.