NEW STUDY. A new type of inhibitor that interferes with mitochondrial function in cancer cells has been developed in a collaboration involving researchers at the Sahlgrenska Academy. In an article in Nature, the researchers describe how the treatment prevented cancer cells from dividing and reduced tumor growth in mice, without any significant effect on healthy cells. Mitochondria are the powerhouse of cells and are crucial for converting energy from our…
Researchers identify a new biomarker for the childhood cancer neuroblastoma
NEW STUDY. In collaboration with researchers in the Netherlands and Belgium, researchers at the University of Gothenburg have now shown that overexpression of the gene for ALKAL2 activates a chain of other cancer-driving genes and how this leads to neuroblastoma. The results indicate that increased gene dosage of ALKAL2 may become a new biomarker and open up the potential for treatment with ALK inhibitors for certain forms of childhood cancer.…
Where antibiotic resistance comes from
NEW STUDY. By comparing thousands of bacterial genomes, scientists in Gothenburg, Sweden have traced back the evolutionary history of antibiotic resistance genes. In almost all cases where an origin could be determined, the gene started to spread from bacteria that, themselves, can cause disease. While human DNA is only passed down from parent to child, bacteria also have the habit of sharing some of their genes across species. This often applies to…
Drug combination increases susceptibility to cytostatic treatments in cases of severe neuroblastoma
NEW STUDY. Researchers at the University of Gothenburg now suggest a possible cure for children with hard-to-treat forms of neuroblastoma using a new combination of drugs. In a new study in the journal Cancer Research, they describe how a two small molecule-based drug combination likely inhibit the tumor’s growth. Neuroblastoma is the most common form of childhood cancer, derived from the peripheral nervous system, i.e., the part of the nervous…
Nine GU-researchers listed among the world’s most highly cited – Johan Bengtsson-Palme newcomer
DISTINCTION. The seven researchers at the University of Gothenburg, who were ranked among the top one percent of most highly cited researchers last year, have maintained their prestigious position in this year’s ranking: Kaj Blennow, Fredrik Bäckhed, Joakim Larsson, Henrik Nilsson, Karl Swedberg, Valentina Tremaroli, and Henrik Zetterberg. This year Johan Bengtsson-Palm joins the list in the Cross-Field category. Clarivate Analytics, the analytics firm that owns the Web of Science,…