Örebro University is a young, research-intensive institution ranked among the top 600 universities worldwide (Times Higher Education). With 16,000 students and over 1,600 staff, ORU offers strong research environments in medicine, AI, food science, environmental chemistry and criminology.
The School of Medical Sciences conducts patient-oriented research spanning molecular mechanisms to clinical applications and hosts international Master's programmes in biomedicine. Located at Örebro University Hospital (Campus USÖ), it provides a unique setting for translational and interdisciplinary research.
ORU is a partner in major international networks, including NEOLAiA and MIRAI, and holds the European Commission’s HR Excellence in Research award, underscoring its commitment to research quality and international collaboration.
Role within INTERCEPT
Örebro University (ORU) leads Work Package 1 (WP1), which focuses on validating prediagnostic biomarkers of Crohn’s disease, identified by the PROMISE consortium. ORU coordinates access to serum samples and clinical datasets from European preclinical Crohn’s disease cohorts.
To ensure interoperability, ORU assesses cohort metadata and sample handling procedures, aligning them with the PROMISE data structure. Harmonised protocols for sample processing and quality control are being developed for use across the consortium.
WP1 includes individuals with at least one serum sample collected prior to Crohn’s disease diagnosis and matched IBD-free controls. Key metadata—demographics, sample and diagnosis dates, storage conditions, and aliquot details—will be extracted and integrated into the INTERCEPT data platform.
Outputs from WP1 will inform and support subsequent work packages (WP2–WP5) and feed into the data model development in WP7.
Main contacts
Dr./Professor Jonas Halfvarson
Physician
Dr./PhD Daniel Bergemalm
Physician
Anette Oskarsson
Adm.Project Coordinator
Benita Salomon
PhD-student
Dr. Olle Grännö
PhD-student /Physician