CCB

Editorial in Cell highligths paper from Rusten and co-workers.

The December 28 issue of "Cell" (impact factor 29.19) has an editorial about autophagy. Here, recent important publications that has contributed to our understanding of this process - by identifying new molecular players and new ways to manipulate autophagic pathways - are discussed. Among these is an article from Tor Erik Rusten and co-workers, entitled "ESCRTs and Fab1 regulate distinct steps of autophagy".

Autophagy paper from ICR researchers highlighted in Science

A recent paper from Anne Simonsen and co-workers published in the journal Autophagy (impact factor 6,7) - showing that induction of autophagy in the neurons of aging flies strongly increases their life span - is dedicated an editorial ("Editor's choice") in the 14th December issue of Science. Simonsen is the leader of the project group "Autophagy in health and disease" at the Institute for Cancer Research (ICR).

Medinnova's Idea Prize to research group working on early markers for tumors in the digestive system

Every year Medinnova distributes its Idea prize to the best idea with commercial potential originating from employees belonging to the Norwegian Health Region South-East (Helse Sør-Øst).
This years prize went to four employees from the Department of Cancer Prevention: Guro E. Lind (photo), Ragnhild A. Lothe, Rolf I. Skotheim and Terje Ahlquist.
They have identified new biological markers for colorectal tumours. These markers may contribute to the development of a test for discovering cancer at an early stage.

Cancer researchers shed light on inherited brain damage

Scientists at the Centre for Cancer Biomedicine (CCB) have been studying the so-called ESCRT proteins, a group of cellular proteins that appear to prevent normal cells from turning into cancer cells. Findings from these studies have recently been published in the high-impact journals Current Biology and Journal of Cell Biology.
An article showing evidence that faulty autophagic degradation of protein aggregates is the cause of brain damage in certain patients is presented on the cover of the November 5th issue of JCB.

Escorting receptors for degradation

In a recent paper in Traffic, Lene Malerød, a postdoc in Stenmarks lab, shows that the ESCRT-II complex is required for degradation of ubiquitinated epidermal growth factor receptor and chemokine receptors. This provides new insight into how growth factor and chemokine receptors are transported intracellularly and identifies a novel potential tumour suppressor complex.

Dr. Ragnar Mørk legacy prize to Anne Simonsen

This year's prize from "Dr. Ragnar Mørk legacy" is awarded Anne Simonsen from the Department of Biochemistry at the Norwegian Radium Hospital.
The "Dr. Ragnar Mørk legacy" prize is distributed annually to a scientist who has achieved excellent results throughout years of outstanding research.
The ceremony took place in the seminar room at the Institute for Cancer Research on Friday 22nd of November. Simonsen gave a lecture summarizing her work.

Sjur Olsnes honorary doctor at the Moscow Medical Academy

Sjur Olsnes - Department head at the Department of Biochemistry - was recently appointed honorary doctor at the Sechenov Academy in. He receives the honor for his contributions to Russian medical research.
His activities include establishing a centre for medical studies, as well as encouraging scientific cooperation between Russian and Norwegian research groups.

Kirsten Sandvig promoted honorary doctor at The University of Copenhagen

Kirsten Sandvig was Nov. 15th promoted honorary doctor at the Medical Faculty, University of Copenhagen (Doctor Medicinae Honoris Causa). The promotion took place at the annual Commemoration Ceremony of the University.
HRH Queen Margrethe II and HRH Prince Henrik were both present and greeted the honorary doctors. The ceremony was followed by a reception and a gala performance of La Boheme in the Copenhagen Opera House.