Annette Brenner (Post Doc):

Studies the interactions between mesenchymal stem/stromal cells (MSCs) and AML cells. Stromal cell support is thought to increase chemo resistance. The project aims to first identify the molecular mechanisms involved in the intercellular crosstalk, and after that to target these mechanisms in order to improve the susceptibility of the AML cells towards chemotherapy.

Kimberley Hatfield (Researcher):

Investigates metabolic phenotypes of primary human AML cells, and how metabolic pathways may be implicated in development of drug resistance in AML.

Additional research interests include the role of the microenvironment; in particular how AML cells are influenced by stromal cells and chemokines, and how leukemia cells adapt to changes in oxygen levels and nutrient availability.

Knut Anders Mosevoll (MD, PhD student):

Mainly involved with patient cohort studies on the inflammatory and cytokine response, and also involved in projects on AML and stem cell treatment, multiple myeloma and stem cell treatment, venous thrombosis and septicemia in both immune competent/immune compromised patients.

Guro Kristin Melve (MD, PhD student):

Works with immunoregulatory networks in donors and recipients of allogeneic stem cell grafts. The studies deals with characterization of cytokine profiles and lymphocyte subsets in stem cell grafts and peripheral blood during the transplantation process, in order to investigate the effect of pre-transplant factors and the association to post-transplant clinical outcome.

Ina Nepstad (PhD student):

Involved in projects on the PI3K-Akt-mTOR pathway in AML. Aberrantly up regulated PI3K-AKT-mTOR signaling is seen for many malignancies and often represents an adverse prognostic parameter; this is also true for AML. We will investigate the effects of pharmacological targeting, and use molecular studies to identify the mechanisms behind patient heterogeneity.

Håkon Reikvam (MD, PhD, currently in clinical training):

Research interest involve individual pharmacological intervention in AML based on in vitro studies of primary AML cells, including transcription and cytokine profiles and interactions with surrounding bone marrow stromal cells. Also involved in projects regarding allogenic stem cell transplantation, myeloproliferative neoplasms and transfusion therapy.

Kristoffer Sand (PhD student):

Studies the immune system in Myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS). MDS is a heterogeneous group of bone marrow failure syndromes, with approximately 30% risk of transformation to acute myeloid leukemia (AML). A subset of patients may respond to immune modulating therapy. Cytotoxic T lymphocytes and NK cells from MDS patients are analyzed for expression of surface markers and function using multicolor cytometry.