Bakgrunn og aktiviteter

Education

  • 1989 Cand.Scient. (chemistry), AVH, University of Trondheim, Norway
  • 1997 Doctor scientiarum (biochemistry), Faculty of Natural Sciences and Technology, NTNU, Trondheim, Norway

Research Interests

  • Nutrigenomics
  • Diet and cancer
  • Cancer cachexia

Research Projects

1. Do n-3 fatty acids have a potential in treatment of cancer?

My research primarily focuses on examining how dietary factors, especially polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs), affect cancer.

Epidemiological evidence has established that ingestion of -3 PUFAs, abundant in marine oils, have profound effects on many human disorders and diseases, including cardiovascular disease, cancer and cachexia. Studies point to a negative correlation between consumption of fish and incidence of breast, prostate and colon cancer. In vitro and animal model studies indicate that -3 PUFAs inhibit proliferation of cancer cells and growth of tumors. Exploring how these dietary fatty acids inhibit cell proliferation and tumor growth by interacting with and modulating signalling pathways at the molecular level, constitute a major challenge. However, such knowledge may lead to development of different treatment strategies that may be targeted and/or enhance the impact of conventional therapy.

We are using different approaches to evaluate the potential of different PUFAs as chemotherapeutic agents alone or in combination with conventional therapy in cancer. Both cell culture systems and cancer xenografts in different animal models are used for gene expression profiling (Affymetrix) and molecular MR. Target genes or regulatory mechanisms of interest are being examined in more detail by real-time RT-PCR, 2DE or Western blot. Lipid metabolites in colon cancer cells and colon tumors are analyzed by MR and GC-FID. Identification of the induction or repression of specific genes (signaling pathways) by individual nutrients may provide firm evidence at the molecular level that the food we eat may have a significant impact on several health issues.

2. Translational Research in Lung Cancer and Palliative Care – from genomics to symptom control (TLCPC)

3. EPCRC: Improved treatment of pain, depression and fatigue through translation research (http://www.epcrc.org)

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