Cellular membranes function as biophysical barriers, imprint organelle identity, and provide molecular signaling scaffolds. We study membrane-dependent processes at the plasma membrane (macropinosomes), intracellular vesicles (autophagosomes, lysosomes, endosomes), and the nuclear envelope. Our central questions revolve around how these different membranes sense and respond to nutritional and biophysical stresses, how their deregulation contributes to cancer, and how they can be targeted in cancer treatment. We combine advanced live-cell microscopy and in vivo whole animal imaging, genetic and biomechanical manipulation, proteomics, and flow cytometry approaches.
Research models range from 2D cells (left), 3D spheroid and organoids, to in vivoDrosophila melanogaster and mouse models (right).
We study
Regulation of DNA damage responses in development and treatment of acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL). We focus on mechanistic studies linking autophagy to apoptosis in ALL-derived cell lines, patient-derived leukemia cells, and in xenograft models (Blomhoff).
Nuclear envelope dynamics. We study how the nuclear envelope integrates biochemical and biophysical signals into cell fate decisions. We also explore nuclear envelope stress in disease etiology and as an exploitable vulnerability in cancer treatment (Campsteijn).
Cell Stress and Cancer. We study how autophagy is turned off at the whole-organism scale. We explore the role of autophagy in tumorigenesis and as a therapy target in renal cell carcinoma (Knævelsrud).
Membrane transport. We study how cells organize intracellular vesicle transport and how correct identity and function for each vesicle is ensured. We also study consequences of their malfunctioning in disease or when hijacked by cancer cells and pathogens (Schink).
We provide
Access to advanced light microscopy infrastructure through the MIP UiO core facility
E-Infrastructure services for image data management, analysis, and FAIR data sharing
