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. 552 participants from 64 countries attended the 30th edition of ISCOMS in 2023. The 31st edition of ISCOMS will take place from 3–6 June 2024 and the abstract submission is open until Januari 21.

International Student Congress Of (bio)Medical Sciences (ISCOMS)
The official ISCOMS logo
Venue	University Medical Center Groningen (UMCG)
Location(s)	Groningen, Netherlands
Country	The Netherlands
Inaugurated	1992
Attendance	Presenting participants: 200–400 Non-presenting participants: 500–600
Website	Official website

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 see the keynote speakers 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: 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 2024

ISCOMS year	Keynote speaker	Research
2024	Prof. Brian Kobilka MD PhD, Nobel Laureate 2012	Structural insights into G protein coupled receptor activation
2024	Prof. Dennis Lo Yuk Ming MD PhD	Non-invasive prenatal and cancer testing: from dream to reality
2024	Prof. Anne Schwerk PhD
2024	Prof. Mukesh Kapila MD PhD CBE	Preventing and managing mass atrocities: what can humanitarian and health professionals do?
2024	Prof. Mihaela van der Schaar PhD

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
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

This year's theme is "Future Medicine", where every day is dedicated to a unique theme within “Future Medicine. From the inclusive ethos of "Inclusive Health", to unraveling the mysteries within life's building blocks in "Molecular Mysteries", and exploring the convergence of technology and healthcare in "Artificial Intelligence: Friend or Foe", to recognizing the connection of human well-being and the planet in "Planetary Health", each day promises a comprehensive exploration. The themes will be present in the noteworthy speakers, engaging workshops and visual appeal. "Future Medicine" isn't just a theme; it's a guiding principle shaping a dynamic and insightful experience at ISCOMS 2024.

Organisational structure

The organisation of ISCOMS consists of (bio)medical students from the University of Groningen. There are nine Executive Board members and 24 committee members. Committees include the Scientific Programme, Sponsors and Fundraising, International Contacts, Hosting and Logistics, Media and Branding and Research and 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 25 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.

Partners

The official partners of the ISCOMS are:

• Leiden International Medical Student Conference (LIMSC)
• International Federation of Medical Students' Associations the Netherlands (IFMSA-NL)
• Zagreb International Medical Summit (ZIMS)
• European Medical Students' Association (EMSA)
• Asian Medical Students' Association (AMSA)
• Young European Scientists meeting Porto (YES-meeting)
• International Conference for Healthcare and Medical Students (ICHAMS)
• Annual International Medical Students Lisbon (AIMS)
• Brazilian International Congress of Medical Students (BRAINCOMS)
• Warsaw International Medical Congress (WIMC)
• International Congress of Medical Sciences (ICMS)
• Croatian Student Summit Zagreb (CROSS)
• Antwerp Medical Students’ Congress (AMSC)
• International Biomedical Congress Sofia (IBC)

External links

• International Student Congress of (bio)Medical Sciences
• Network of European Medical Students’ Conferences