GRANTS. The Swedish Society for Medical Research (SSMF) has awarded 26 postdoctoral scholarships to young researchers. Researchers at the University of Gothenburg received three of the scholarships. All three – Elin Bernson, Astrid von Mentzer and Ganesh Vilas Shelke – will receive SEK 850,000 for two years of full-time research.
Elin Bernson, Institute of Biomedicine
Regulation of immune system’s NK cells in ovarian cancer
Ovarian cancer, the deadliest form of gynecologic cancer, afflicts 700 women in Sweden annually. NK cells, also known as natural killer cells, are immune cells that can kill damaged cells or tumor cells. In her project Elin Bernson wants to better understand how NK cells are regulated in ovarian cancer to develop and improve immunotherapy treatment that can improve the survival prognosis for afflicted women.
Astrid von Mentzer, Institute of Biomedicine
Studies of the spread of diarrhea bacteria focusing on antibiotic resistance
The project applies a holistic approach to the diarrhea-causing Escherichia coli (ETEC) bacterium. The general hypothesis is that ETEC bacteria can spread among humans and animals directly or indirectly, such as through contaminated water. This allows the bacteria to exchange genetic material that makes them even more contagious and may increase antibiotic resistance. Astrid von Mentzer’s interdisciplinary project will analyze genome and gene expression to improve knowledge about ETEC.
Ganesh Vilas Shelke, Institute of Clinical Sciences
Processing of tumor components in immune cells
A functioning immune system can normally detect and destroy cancer cells, but when the natural immune response fails, cancer can grow unimpeded. Tumor cells release extracellular components, and in his project Ganesh Vilas Shelke wants to identify how the components are transported and broken down by immune cells. The research findings could potentially help clinicians predict the effectiveness of immunotherapy in cancer.
TEXT: ULRIKA LUNDIN
