DONATION. Olle Korsgren is an internationally leading researcher in the field of transplantation of insulin-producing cells, known as islet transplantation. In the autumn of 2020, Korsgren’s visiting professorship in transplant immunology will be transferred to the Institute of Medicine. He looks forward to continuing to work in the strong research teams that he regards as a hallmark of Sahlgrenska Academy.
Olle Korsgren is a professor of transplant immunology at Uppsala University and works clinically as a medical doctor at Uppsala University Hospital, including case management involving transplants and autoimmune diseases. From 2017 to 2019, he served as a visiting professor in transplant immunology specializing in cell transplantation at the Institute of Biomedicine at Sahlgrenska Academy. The Institute of Medicine is now assuming his visiting professorship, which is funded by a grant from the Sten A. Olsson Foundation for Research and Culture, and Korsgren looks forward to devoting another two years to completing the clinical studies he has begun.
You maintain that Sahlgrenska Academy excels when it comes to strong teams and work methods.
“Yes, I think there is a special atmosphere here in Gothenburg. People are positive, interested and inquisitive. Researchers have succeeded in building a very good research structure and research culture, where they are open and receptive to new ideas. That is extremely valuable. Working in teams this way provides the opportunity to conduct many large and complex studies. For me, it is a privilege to work in Gothenburg.”
What led you to specialize in immunology?
Residence: Uppsala. In connection with work in Gothenburg, I sometimes stay with my daughter in Borås.
Family: Married to Lis. Six children between the ages of 24 and 34
Age: 61
When not working: I am renovating our house in Hallen by Storsjön lake in Jämtland. I grew up in Dalarna but have spent a lot of time in Jämtland. I enjoy nature, with lakes and mountains, and like hiking and skiing, among other things.
Unexpected talent: Mason apprentice
If I was not a researcher or a doctor: Then I would probably work with my hands on practical projects or in some creative way.
Relationship with Lina Korsgren, who won the Vasa ski race in 2020: All Korsgrens come from the small farm “Korsgården” just outside Falun, so we are probably distantly related.
“I think you choose immunology because you are unable to choose a more limited area. (Laughs.) Immunology extends across all medical fields and covers everything from common colds to pandemics and diseases for which we have no cure yet, such as diabetes. As an immunologist, you are never bored. This area is so incredibly broad, and that’s what fascinates me about it.”
You already have an established collaboration with Marcus Lind and Per-Anders Jansson at the Institute of Medicine to study similarities at the cellular level between diabetes and psoriasis. What is that about?
“In the case of psoriasis skin disease, it has been possible to see patches on the pancreas of afflicted patients. In our studies, we have examined the pancreas of deceased patients with type 1 diabetes, and we have seen patches in their pancreas that resemble the cells in psoriasis plaque. This is an entirely new revelation. We have high hopes that in 2020, medication will become available that can maintain insulin production among adults newly diagnosed with type 1 diabetes.”
Along with transplant surgeon Bengt Gustafsson, you and Marcus Lind also conduct studies concerning clinical islet transplants, transplants of insulin-producing cells to adults with severe type 1 diabetes. Tell us a little about the study that deals with two types of transplants for the same patient.
“The purpose of that study is to evaluate the implications of transplanting insulin-producing cells and simultaneously transplanting autologous T cells that can selectively suppress the person’s immune system. Regular immunosuppressive therapy given to reduce the risk of rejection in a transplant patient involves an increased risk of infections and tumor formation. In our study we investigate what cell-based therapies can imply and evaluate the safety, logistics and effectiveness of treatment so we can, if possible, reduce the need for immunosuppressive medication.
In these studies, Marcus Lind plays a key role as a diabetologist. In this type of clinical study, it is not enough to have either an immunologist or a transplant surgeon. Marcus has been a driving force in building teams, and for me it is enjoyable and wonderful to be part of this very strong team. It also makes us very competitive, even in an international perspective.”
TEXT: ANNA VÖRÖS
PHOTO: DRAGO PRVULOVIC, MALMÖBILD AB.
This article was first published by the Institute of Medicine.
