GRANTS. That cancer is due to changes in DNA has been the starting point for cancer research, for the past several generations. But until quite recently, only a fraction of the human genetic material had been examined, namely the genes that encode proteins. Erik Larsson Lekholm, who was recently appointed a Wallenberg Academy Fellow, examines the other 97 percent of the genome with the help of powerful computers. Wallenberg Academy…
Six centers get the green light for UGOT Challenges
STRATIGIC The Vice-Chancellor has approved six new centers for UGOT Challenges – a SEK 300 million project at the University of Gothenburg that addresses social problems at the global level. Two of the centers are directed by researchers at Sahlgrenska Academy. The Vice-Chancellor’s decision for Stage 2 of UGOT Challenges was based on an assessment by an external panel of experts. Twelve of the 100 prospective centers that expressed interest…
NFL plasma concentration a sensitive new biomarker for identifying central nervous system injury
NEW STUDY. Researchers at Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, have devised a method for detecting injury to the central nervous system by examining blood plasma. The approach, which has been tested thus far on individuals with HIV-associated brain injury, opens the door to diagnosis of a wide range of neurodegenerative disorders without taking invasive samples of the cerebrospinal fluid. While the level of the neurofilament light protein (NFL) in the…
The structure of fat tissue during pregnancy can reveal the risk of developing type 2 diabetes
DOCTORAL THESIS. Normal weight women accumulate fat in existing adipocytes (fat cells) during pregnancy, whereas those with obesity form new adipocytes. A PhD thesis at Sahlgrenska Academy has shown that the morphology of adipose tissue is associated with insulin resistance in pregnant women and may reveal the risk of developing type 2 diabetes. Previous studies have found that obesity increases the risk of gestational diabetes, which makes it more likely that…
Four Swedish Research Council grants for young scientists
GRANTS. Emma Börgeson, Johanna Höög, Elisabet Jerlhag Holm and Malin Johansson have each received SEK 6 million from the Swedish Research Council’s call for young scientists. Their fields are metabolic syndrome, communication between cells, the reward system of the brain and the protective mucus layer of the gut. Emma Börgeson completed her postgraduate studies at University College Dublin and is just finishing up her EU-financed postdoctoral research at UCSD. Her current…