Project courses

Extracellular matrix interactions of importance for brain tumor formation

In our projects we incorporate experience of neural stem cells with glioma biology, leveraging the close relationship between these two fields. We focus on the tumor microenvironment with special emphasis on the extracellular matrix and the neuro-inflammatory responses to brain tumors.

Multi-omics analysis of colorectal cancer for improved diagnosis and treatment 

We are looking for students interested in improving treatment and diagnostics for cancer through bioinformatic analyses of molecular data.

Development of novel precision cancer therapy based on collateral lethality 

We are looking for motivated students that want to develop their skills in laboratory work centered on drug screening in cell and organoid models, or students that want to work with bioinformatic analysis to search for new potential targets to study.

Characterization of a novel EPHB2 mutant with respect to its proteolytic cleavage 

The EphB receptors and their ligands have been shown to have both proliferation promoting and tumor suppressing roles. Here, we use cancer cell models to study how EPHB2 mutations affect colorectal cancer progression.

Machine learning for automated analysis of radiology examinations 

Machine learning and computer vision is gaining traction in clinical radiology. We are looking for students to participate in model development and building of different automated pipelines for clinical radiology tasks.

Clinical or translational research on adult cancer cases in U-CAN 

Opportunity for students to work with clinical data or sample analyses based on the cancer cases included in U-CAN.

Biomarker discovery for detection of cancer 

We are looking for students that want to participate in analysis of large-scale omics data to find and validate cancer biomarkers.

The role of the lymph node vasculature in tumour metastasis and anti-tumour immunity

The lymph nodes have essential roles in adaptive immune responses, including antitumour immune responses, and are major sites for tumour metastasis. Our group is interested in the stromal changes that occur in the tumour draining lymph nodes and particularly the changes of the vasculature and how this affect tumour metastasis and anti-tumour immune responses.

Identification of long non-protein-coding RNAs collaborating with PRC2 in MM

Multiple myeloma (MM) despite becoming increasingly treatable remains to date incurable and accounts for the second most common hematological cancer. This warrants innovative approaches into tackling the disease overtly complex genetic background. Our research aims is to identify interacting partners with the Polycomb group proteins by RNA immunoprecipitation coupled with next generation sequencing (RIP-seq, CLIP seq or iCLIP) in MM cell lines and primary MM samples. We also aim to identify the genome-specific binding of lncRNAs of interest by chromatin isolation via RNA precipitation (ChIRP) assays coupled to next generation sequencing and mass spectrometry. 

Investigations of cancer stem cells in the brain cancer glioblastoma

Glioblastoma is the most common and deadly primary brain cancer. Our research aims at identifying mechanisms governing progression and recurrence, with focus on the cancer stem cells. We use patient-­‐derived cell cultures and mouse models, and the goal is to find novel therapeutic targets in glioblastoma.

Understanding the role of lysosome biogenesis and turnover in cancer

Lysosomes are acidic organelles that degrade macromolecules and have often been viewed as basic “trashcans” of cells. In recent years however, it has become clear that lysosomes function as crucial gate-keepers of cell growth and cancer. This is largely due to the surprising finding that the principal regulators of anabolic metabolism specifically locate to the lysosomal surface (1,2,3). An aberrant increase in lysosome number and abundance frequently accompanies malignant cells (4), yet it remains unclear how these changes rewire anabolic metabolism and the growth-potential of cancer cells

New treatment for glioblastoma: Regulation of general resistance mechanisms and opportunities for development of new therapeutic protocols.

Glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) is the most malignant primary brain tumor. The cancer cells vary between more treatment-resistant and more treatment-sensitive cell-states. Current studies aim to uncover forces that drives these phenotypically linked cell-state transitions changes to develop efficient treatment.

Formation and function of lymphatic vascular network – a drug screen approach

In this project, you will test a library of chemical compounds on zebrafish embryos. Depending on the length of the project, you will perform the pre-screening for toxicity and chemical screens for a number of these compounds. You will acquire competences in zebrafish handling, chemical screen methodology and confocal microscopy.

Generation of new transgenic tools in zebrafish

Zebrafish is an excellent model for fast and efficient generation of tissue specific transgenic reporters. In our lab we have generated a dataset of candidate gene regulatory elements that drive vascular specific gene expression. In this project you will have the opportunity to generate and test constructs for transgenesis. This will validate if the predicted sequences indeed drive the fluorescent expression in correct tissue.

New approaches for molecular diagnostics

Molecular diagnostics will increasingly impact medical practice. Our group develops, applies, and commercializes advanced molecular tools for diagnostic analyses of nucleic acids and proteins in situ and in solution. We welcome students interested in medical applications of the methods.

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Neuronal disease modeling using induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSC) for future drug development

Neurodevelopmental and neurodegenerative disorders comprise a heterogeneous group of conditions for which treatment options are limited. Our group develops cell models of central nervous system disorders using induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSC). The long-term objective is to identify disease biomarkers that can be used for rescue-screens in search for candidate compounds and drug development.

No available projects at the moment. Please review ongoing research here.

No available projects at the moment. Please review ongoing research here.

Understanding the biological mechanisms of autologous hematopoietic stem cell transplantation in the treatment of multiple sclerosis.

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a demyelinating autoimmune disease of the central nervous system, and the most common cause of neurological disability in young adults. One available treatment for MS is autologous hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (AHSCT), where bone marrow stem cells are collected from the patient and re-infused after immune cell-depleting treatment with cytotoxic drugs. This is thought to “reset” the immune system. In our group, neurologists and immunologists are working in close collaboration to understand the mechanisms behind the therapeutic effect.