Bengt Westermark – Human malignant glioma – from oncogenic mechanisms to treatment

Photo of a plastic pipette in tube in a tube rack
                 Photo: Axel Henriksson

Our research is focused on glioblastoma, the most common form of malignant brain tumours in adults. Our main goal is to understand the molecular mechanisms of glioblastoma development. This knowledge may increase the possibilities of developing novel treatment modalities.

Human glioblastoma cell lines are established from fresh tumour surgical specimens taken in connection with brain tumour surgery. The aim is to identify novel lead substances that inhibit tumour cell growth.

An additional project focuses on anaplastic thyroid carcinoma, with the aim to elucidate the genetic events
involved in generating the tumour.

Read more about our research projects:


Read our paper Origin of the U87MG glioma cell line: Good news and bad news, in Science Translational Medicine:
Origin of the U87MG glioma cell line: Good news and bad news (on-line, full text)