Report on the 17th International Wolfsberg Meeting on Molecular Radiation Biology & Oncology
Hurdal, Norway I 21-23 June 2025
By Line Kristensen, travel grant awardee
The Wolfsberg meeting was thrilling and very much worth attending for any biology-interested radiation colleague. Attending the Wolfsberg meeting for the first time was an unforgettable experience that surpassed my high expectations set by my colleagues. The meeting stood out to me for its strong biological focus and uniquely immersive atmosphere. The single-track programme of invited lectures and proffered papers unified attendees across topics.
What I found truly impressive was the poster sessions. The poster sessions especially surprised me: I have never attended a meeting with so much active and passionate engagement in the posters. The sessions were not just informative – they were inspiring and stimulating. I found myself spending considerable time with presenters during each session, diving into new areas and perspectives that extended beyond my own research.
The excitement and the desire to learn were universal across the four topics of DNA repair, cellular signalling, microenvironment, and novel therapies and biomarkers. I had the privilege of presenting our latest data on FLASH in the novel therapies session. Because of the exciting indications of FLASH’s benefits over the past 10 years of single-fraction treatment, with fractionation being the standard clinical practice, the field needs knowledge of the interplay between fractionation and FLASH. In our murine model, we observed that a 4-fraction treatment halves the acute skin FLASH sparing effect relative to the single-fraction treatment, with further reduction seen in 8-fraction treatments. But even more impressive – and the main discussion after my presentation – fractionated FLASH seemingly does not reduce the FLASH sparing of fibrotic development! The study highlights a tissue-type-dependent FLASH sparing effect, which merits further discussion and exploration.
Beyond the scientific sessions, the meeting created space for meaningful networking and collaboration. Informal discussions flowed easily, both among researchers and with sponsoring vendors. And, of course, the legendary Wolfsberg Cup was a highlight! Watching esteemed professors and students act out interpretive dances of DNA repair and FLASH irradiation broke the ice in the best possible way. These moments of humour and camaraderie added a personal dimension to the meeting that is hard to find elsewhere.
Overall, Wolfsberg was an inspiring blend of science, knowledge-sharing and community spirit. I left feeling more connected, curious and energised for new research.
Line Kristensen
Danish Centre for Particle Therapy and Experimental Clinical Oncology,
Aarhus University and Aarhus University Hospital,
Aarhus, Denmark
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lk-linek/