When the Swedish Research Council announced funding for so-called "centres of excellence" almost three years ago, a total of 15 new initiatives were approved across Sweden. Only one of them was awarded to Lund: COMMONS – Commonalities in biomembrane and biomolecular interactions.
A year has now passed since COMMONS was inaugurated with a ceremony at the Department of Chemistry. What has happened since then? How has the centre approached its mission – and what lies ahead?
In this interview, Centre Director Emma Sparr and Centre Coordinator Felix Roosen-Runge share how they’ve worked since the start, how they aim to develop the research environment – and why COMMONS has become a central meeting place for discussion and reflection.
A unique centre at Lund University
COMMONS is based at the Department of Chemistry at the Faculty of Science. At the same time, its activities are shaped by a strong network that extends both within Lund University and to external partners, with particularly close ties to Chalmers University of Technology and the University of Copenhagen.
The centre focuses on understanding the common mechanisms that govern interactions between biological membranes and other biomolecules. A biomolecular system can include everything from membrane structures that regulate the transport of substances into and out of cells, to antimicrobial peptides that disrupt bacterial membrane barriers, or protein aggregates that form plaques in the development of neurodegenerative diseases.
— "We saw a need to make room for broader thinking. Much of today’s research tends to become highly specialised – focusing in depth on a specific molecule, a particular disease process, or a specific application. While that is important, there is a risk – especially in doctoral training and academic research in general – of losing the ability to see the bigger picture," says Emma Sparr, Professor of Physical Chemistry and Centre Director.
She continues:
— "If we create new meeting places and new forms of scientific exchange, we also create opportunities for broader understanding. New insights can emerge when we identify how similar mechanisms operate across seemingly unrelated phenomena in different systems. At COMMONS, we want to help restore that perspective – to look beyond the specific and uncover shared principles."
Common mechanisms
One of the centre’s key initiatives is "COMMONS Challenges" – a discussion forum where two researchers explore the same mechanism, such as the nucleation of aggregation processes (the initial stage where molecules begin to cluster and form larger structures, like fibrils or crystals), but from different scientific perspectives.
Each speaker offers a short, conceptual introduction to the topic, followed by open questions to the audience – questions that don’t require expert knowledge but are designed to spark new thinking. This is followed by small group discussions, and eventually a broader dialogue involving everyone present. The goal is to highlight recurring mechanisms across different contexts and shed light on partially unsolved problems.
— "It’s not about presenting finished research, but about generating interest, building understanding, and opening up new conversations," says Emma Sparr.
— "We have participants from Lund, but also from our partners both in Sweden and internationally," adds Felix Roosen-Runge, Centre Coordinator and Senior Lecturer in Physical Chemistry.
An environment that aims to challenge and broaden
COMMONS has established a vibrant visiting researcher programme, attracting guests from countries including Canada, Denmark, and the United States. Several postdoctoral researchers have also been recruited to work across research groups – promoting collaboration, knowledge exchange, and broader research questions.
Another initiative is the Academic Forum, where researchers meet across disciplinary boundaries – sometimes in collaboration with partners from the humanities or social sciences. For example, in partnership with the journal Glänta, the question “What is life?” was explored in a well-attended panel discussion. This effort was also linked to an interdisciplinary Advanced Study Group at the Pufendorf Institute in Lund.
— "It’s not about simplifying science, but about stimulating broader academic dialogue. Being able to talk and write about your research outside your own field is a vital part of our mission," says Emma Sparr.
What’s next for COMMONS?
COMMONS has already achieved a great deal – but its journey is far from over. Over the past year, the centre has launched new doctoral courses, deepened collaboration with LINXS, strengthened ties with universities both in Sweden and abroad, and welcomed more visiting researchers.
— "We see that this way of working – with shared questions and open forums – really resonates. There is curiosity, and our network continues to grow," says Felix Roosen-Runge.
In early May, COMMONS will host its first annual meeting, featuring an open dialogue on the theme "The role of experimentation in science". All researchers with an interest in thinking together are welcome to join!
Through initiatives like COMMONS Challenges, the centre continues to build a community rooted in shared exploration and collaborative inquiry.
- Visit the COMMONS website (physchem.lu.se)
- The Swedish Research Council announced a call for Centres of Excellence in autumn 2022. Funding decisions were made in June 2023, with projects starting in 2024. Read more on the Swedish Research Council’s website (vr.se).
- The postdocs featured in the photo are co-funded through the LINXS co-found programme "AMBER". Learn more about AMBER on the LINXS website (linxs.se).