ProtonSUMMIT - a research project on proton therapy
Bergen’s research community is strengthening its position at the forefront of international proton research as the Trond Mohn Foundation (TMF) awards NOK 27 million to the ProtonSUMMIT project. The project, with a total budget of nearly NOK 80 million, will accelerate the development of future cancer treatments.
The work will be based in the new proton building at the foot of Mount Ulriken. Here, researchers will combine expertise from medicine, physics, biology, medical imaging, and artificial intelligence to understand how proton therapy affects patients. The project is led by medical physicist and researcher Camilla Stokkevåg at Haukeland University Hospital, and will investigate how proton radiation affects cells and tissue, map the underlying mechanisms, and identify single and composite biomarkers that may provide new insights into treatment efficacy.
Over many years, TMF has contributed significantly to strengthening the research environments at Haukeland, the University of Bergen and Western Norway University of Applied Sciences. This funding provides the project with long-term capacity to build on the strong academic foundation in Bergen. With ProtonSUMMIT, the research community is taking an important new step in developing the knowledge needed to shape advanced cancer treatment, both nationally and internationally.
The project aims to develop new methods that make it possible to utilize the full potential of the technology, enabling more patients to receive treatment that is more targeted and gentle. At the same time, the research will strengthen the scientific knowledge base and lay the groundwork for further development of advanced cancer therapies.
“This allocation is an important recognition of the competence and ambition we have at Helse Bergen. It allows us to develop treatments that benefit our patients, while also strengthening Bergen and Norway as leaders in modern cancer therapy,” says Oddbjørn Straume, Director of the Cancer Clinic.
Nicholas K. Nunn, CEO og the Trond Mohn Research Foundation adds: “The foundation’s commitment to particle therapy as a cancer treatment began already in 2014, with support for capacity building, equipment acquisition, method development and research. It is therefore a great pleasure to be able to contribute further by supporting this promising project.”
ProtonSUMMIT in short
Project period: 2026-2030
TMF funding: 27 MNOK
Total funding: 80 MNOK
Project web page
