Why do we get sick? Researchers in Bergen will find out more about this.

Three new research projects

In 2022, the Trond Mohn Foundation announced a call for funding in collaboration with UiB. Eight proposals were submitted to the competition and three projects now receive NOK 6 million from TMS, respectively. The projects will research topics such as

• Cancer risk in women and their children taking into account the pregnancy history, Project leader is Professor Tone Bjørge at the department of global health and primary care (IGS)
• Causes of cancer in children – what role does the child´s own immune system play? The project leader is Professor Ola Myklebost at the department of clinical science
• Brain damage in newborns, how can we predict and prevent? The project leader is Rolv Terje Lie at IGS

New Research Centre at the University of Bergen

The projects support the new TRACE research centre established at the University of Bergen which will capitalise  on the access to samples and material that Norwegian researchers have: The centre will conduct research on so-called non-communicable diseases like cancer, cardiovascular diseases, diseases of the central nervous system (neurodegenerative diseases and neurodevelopmental disorders), as well as birth-related conditions by combining laboratory research with research on population data, i.e. data that includes large parts of the population – for example The Norwegian mother, father and child – survey (MoBa), which is one of the world’s largest health surveys. The TRACE centre is led by Professor Tone Bjørge at the Department of Global Health and Primary Care.

New ways to collaborate

Researchers who do not usually collaborate can now work together through the TRACE centre at the University of Bergen. Researchers with expertise in medical statistics, epidemiology and informatics together with researchers who have expertise in biomedical subjects will study the causes of these non-communicable diseases and their prevalence in society.

Great expectations

“I am proud and happy about the award”, says Bjørge. “These funds are absolutely essential for the research activities at our centre”.

“By linking data from laboratory research, patient treatment and population studies, we will be able to explain disease mechanisms and develop new treatment. It will also strengthen research environments. This is very good”, says vice-dean for research at the Faculty of Medicine, Marit Bakke.

Anne Marie Haga at the Trond Mohn Foundation is happy about the collaboration with UiB and congratulates the TRACE management and the project managers. “We have high expectations for our financial contribution to the research and look forward to following the scientific development at the centre”, says Haga.

 

 

 

 

 

Photo of Tone Bjørge: UiB; Rolv Terje Lie: FHI and Ola Myklebost: private