News - 2012
2012-12-19, PRESS
A step towards more efficient spruce breeding programs
Conifers normally go through a long juvenile period, for Norway spruce (Picea abies) around 20-25 years, before developing cones. This is a major obstacle for spruce breeding efforts. Researchers at Science for Life Laboratory – Stockholm in collaboration with colleagues at SLU (Uppsala) and Skogforsk have now managed to produce a spruce variety that can be made to set cones one year after planting. The spruce variety originates from a spruce mutant that was found outside of Uppsala more than 100 years ago. By using the next generation sequencing facility at Science for Life Laboratory coupled with advanced bioinformatics and molecular biology methods the researchers have identified a possible regulator of the early cone setting. The cone inducing properties of the early cone setting spruce will be used to enhance future breeding programs of Norway spruce.
2012-12-19, NEWS
Uppsala gathers for meetings on life science and its value to society
Next week Uppsala will become a magnet for researchers, industry leaders and decision makers in healthcare. The first conference day is organised by British periodical The Economist, while SciLifeLab Uppsala will be hosting the second day, focusing on infectious diseases and antibiotics resistance.
2012-12-11, PRESS
Three SciLifeLab Directors appointed to Wallenberg Scholars
[PRESS RELEASE 2012-12-11] Knut and Alice Wallenberg Foundation (KAW) has appointed 16 distinguished researchers the Wallenberg Scholars. Three of the researchers selected are Directors at Science for Life Laboratory (SciLifeLab); Mathias Uhlén, professor in microbiology at the Royal Institute of Technology, Gunnar von Heijne, professor in theoretical chemistry at Stockholm University and Kerstin Lindblad-Toh, professor in comparative genomics at Uppsala University. Leif Andersson, professor in functional genomics at Uppsala University and part of the SciLifeLab Uppsala Program Board also received the Wallenberg Scholars 2013. Each Wallenberg Scholar receives a five-year research grant of 3 MSEK per year.
2012-12-07, NEWS
SciLifeLab-WABI bioinformatics support
Through a generous grant from the Wallenberg foundation, SciLifeLab can now offer in-depth bioinformatics support for projects running at SciLifeLab platforms as a national service. The support will initially focus on genomics sequence data analysis, including both medical and non-medical projects.
2012-11-15, NEWS
Pig genome mapped in major international study
The pig genome has now been mapped. Researchers from Uppsala University and the Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences (SLU) have contributed to the study by analysing genes that played a key role in the evolution of the domesticated pig and by mapping retroviruses whose genes have become part of the host organism’s genome.
2012-11-08, PRESS
SciLifeLab/KI team finalists in Boston Children’s Hospital’s competition
[PRESS RELEASE 2012-11-08] Science for Life Laboratory (SciLifeLab) and Karolinska Institutet (KI) were among the top eight teams in the Boston Children’s Hospital’s CLARITY challenge. The team got an honorable special mention as one of eight finalist teams, who managed to solve two out of three genetic mutations in the cases of three children that suffer from disorders with unknown genetic cause. The team also suggested appropriate follow up tests for the third case.
2012-11-08, NEWS
Leif Andersson explains the new genetic findings in Atlantic herring
For more information in swedish: Leif Andersson explains the new genetic findings in Atlantic herring
2012-11-07, NEWS
Genetic alterations identify leukemia patients with poor prognosis
Chronic lymphocytic leukemia is a disease with very varying prognosis. In a recently published paper Richard Rosenquist’s research group describes a further correlation between mutations in two specific genes and a disease course with very poor prognosis. The presence of these mutations can potentially be used to improve the assessment of treatment strategies for individual patients.
2012-11-06, NEWS
Strong signatures of selection in Atlantic herring: A marine fish with huge population sizes
For more information in swedish: Strong signatures of selection in Atlantic herring: A marine fish with huge population sizes
2012-10-22, PRESS
Microscope expert at SciLifeLab wins Lennart Nilsson Award
[PRESS RELEASE 22 October 2012] Hans Blom PhD, associate professor of biological physics at the Royal Institute of Technology (KTH) and facility manager at the Science for Life Laboratory in Stockholm, is to receive SEK 100,000 for studying and evaluating the nanoSIMS and STORM microscope techniques at Harvard University, Boston USA.
2012-10-10, NEWS
Research on cell receptors awarded Nobel Prize in Chemistry
Each of the billions of cells in our bodies have tiny receptors used to receive chemical messages. Robert Lefkowitz and Brian Kobilka are awarded the 2012 Nobel Prize in Chemistry for revealing the inner workings of an important family of such receptors.
2012-10-08, NEWS
Focus on biotechnology and lifescience on Brussel meeting
For more information in swedish: Focus on biotechnology and lifescience on Brussel meeting
2012-10-08, NEWS
Nobel Prize awarded for stem cell research
This year’s Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine is awarded jointly to two scientists who discovered that mature, specialised cells capable of developing into all tissues of the body. This finding has revolutionised our understanding of how cells and organisms develop.
2012-10-08, NEWS
Uppsala BIO, UU and SciLifeLab represented at the BioPartnering Europe meeting
For more information in swedish: Uppsala BIO, UU and SciLifeLab represented at the BioPartnering Europe meeting
2012-10-07, NEWS
Discovery of gatekeeper nerve cells explains the effect of nicotine on learning and memory
Researchers at Uppsala University have, together with Brazilian collaborators, discovered a new group of nerve cells that regulate processes of learning and memory. These cells act as gatekeepers and carry a receptor for nicotine, which can explain our ability to remember and sort information.
2012-10-05, PRESS
SciLifeLab researcher awarded SEK 16.6 million from KAW to study the brain
[PRESS RELEASE 2012-10-05] Joakim Lundeberg and colleagues Jonas Frisén and Patrik Ståhl have been granted SEK 16.6 million from the Knut and Alice Wallenberg Foundation to study the brain. They have developed a new method that combines gene expression data from sequencing and tissue localization from microscope imaging. By this method Joakim Lundeberg at the Royal Institute of Technology and Jonas Frisén and Patrik Ståhl at Karolinska Institutet will perform a complete mapping of which genes in the brain that are active and where in the tissue they are expressed.
2012-10-05, NEWS
Researchers within the SciLifeLab community receive grants from the Knut and Alice Wallenberg Foundation
For more information in swedish: Uppsala University Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences
2012-09-20, NEWS
New DNA study shows humankind’s complex origins in Africa
The Khoe and San peoples in southern Africa play an important role for our understanding of the evolutionary history of humans. These peoples are directly descended from the first branching of the genealogical tree of today’s humans. This is shown in a study led by Uppsala University researchers and being presented in the early online version of the journal Science today.
2012-09-18, NEWS
7.5 million euro to promising Uppsala University scientists
Over 500 promising top European scientists have been granted 1.5 million euros each by the European Research Council, ERC. Five of the scientists receiving funding are based at Uppsala University.
2012-09-17, NEWS
Battery research receives SEK 32 million boost
Maria Strømme, Professor of Nanotechnology at the Department of Engineering Sciences, and her collegues have been granted SEK 32 million from the Swedish Foundation for Strategic Research (SSF) to develop high energy-density batteries using organic materials.
2012-09-14, NEWS
Cloned receptor paves way for new breast and prostate cancer treatment
Researchers at Uppsala University have cloned a T-cell receptor that binds to an antigen associated with prostate cancer and breast cancer. T cells that have been genetically equipped with this T-cell receptor have the ability to specifically kill prostate and breast cancer cells. The study is being published this week in PNAS.
2012-09-12, PRESS
Version 10.0 release of the Human Protein Atlas
Today the latest version of the Human Protein Atlas was released. This version covers approximately 70% of the human genome and includes a Dictionary.
2012-09-12, PRESS
SciLifeLab welcomes new funding from the Swedish government
Yesterday the Swedish government presented the contents of the upcoming research and innovation bill, which includes a special investment in the life science area. Among other things, SciLifeLab gets a yearly addition of SEK 200 million.
2012-09-11, PRESS
Single mutation affects gaits in horses
Researchers at Uppsala University, the Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences and their international collaborators have discovered a mutation in a single gene in horses that is critical for the ability to perform ambling gaits, for pacing and that has a major effect on performance in harness racing.
2012-09-11, NEWS
SciLifeLab welcomes new funding from the Swedish government
Today the Swedish government presented the contents of the upcoming research and innovation bill, which includes a special investment in the life science area. Among other things, SciLifeLab gets a yearly addition of SEK 200 million.
2012-09-11, NEWS
SciLifeLab welcomes new government funding
The Swedish government has presented the contents of its upcoming research and innovation bill, which includes a special investment in the life science area. Among other things, SciLifeLab gets a yearly addition of SEK 200 million.
2012-09-05, NEWS
Lars Feuk receives the prize Eric K Fernströms Svenska Pris 2012
For more information in swedish: Lars Feuk receives the prize Eric K Fernströms Svenska Pris 2012
2012-09-03, NEWS
The Telegraph puts spotlight on‘cancer-eating’ viruses
The Telegraph has today published an article on Uppsala scientist Magnus Essand and his research on cancer treatment using so called oncolytic viruses, in an effort to raise funding for clinical trials.
2012-08-03, NEWS
Disturbance during foetal period behind severe eye disease
The congenital eye disease persistent foetal vasculature syndrome leads to bleeding, detached retina, and a cloudy lens. Now researchers at Uppsala University show in a model for the disease that it may be associated with an excessive expression of a growth factor during the foetal period.
2012-06-12, PRESS
Novel regulators of brain development found
[PRESS RELEASE 2012-06-12] By combining high throughput sequencing, bioinformatics and specific experimental verifications, groups at Stockholm University, Science for Life Laboratory and the Royal Institute of Technology, have shed light on the impact that specific nucleotide base changing, so-called A-to-I RNA editing, of particular small RNA structures has on regulatory non-coding RNA during brain development
2012-06-11, NEWS
Launch of Biobanking Analysis Resource Catalogue (BARC)
The BBMRI.se (BioBanking and Molecular Resource Infrastructure of Sweden) is now introducing the BARC (Biobanking Analysis Resource Catalogue), which is a freely available catalogue describing expertise and molecular analysis resources available at centers and companies in Sweden for analysis of biobanked samples.
2012-06-08, NEWS
Important protein may have a key role in future therapies for blood vessel leakage
The role of blood vessels is to transport oxygen and nutrients to tissues in all parts of the body. This requires that fluids and molecules can pass through the blood vessel wall in a controlled way. When the control is disrupted the vessels will leak and edema will occur in the surrounding tissues. In a new study led by Lena Claesson-Welsh the researchers could show how blood vessel leakage arises. The results can be used to develop therapies for edema in severe diseases such as cancer.
2012-06-07, NEWS
Important study on adrenal cortex cancer completed
Adrenocortical cancer is an uncommon form of cancer that is often fatal. For the first time, a large-scale randomized treatment study has now been carried out. The study is being published in the prestigious New England Journal of Medicine and constitutes an important and long-awaited platform for continued research.
2012-06-05, PRESS
Gunnar von Heijne awarded the ISCB Accomplishment by a Senior Scientist Award
[PRESS RELEASE 2012-06-05] Gunnar von Heijne has been awarded the International Society for Computational Biology (ISCB) Accomplishment by a Senior Scientist Award. Gunnar von Heijne runs the Centre for Biomembrane Research in Stockholm, leads the group Membrane protein assembly and structure at Stockholm University and is Vice Director of the Science for Life Laboratory Stockholm.
2012-05-23, NEWS
Well-visited groundbreaking of the SciLifeLab hub in Uppsala
On Wednesday, May 23rd, around two hundred spectators gathered to see the groundbreaking of the new SciLifeLab hub in the inner courtyard between building 9 and 11 of BMC. The building is expected to be ready for occupancy in the end of 2013. Kerstin Lindblad-Toh, the Director of SciLifeLab Uppsala, Anders Malmberg, the Deputy Vice-Chancellor of Uppsala University and Hans Antonsson, the Regional Director of Akademiska hus grabbed the three-handled shovel with joint force accompanied by a trumpet fanfare. The great weather, live jazz music and refreshments contributed to the joyful atmosphere during the ceremony.
2012-05-23, NEWS
A new meeting hub for SciLifeLab in Uppsala
For more information in swedish: A new meeting hub for SciLifeLab in Uppsala
2012-05-10, PRESS
Novel tumor proteomics strategy discriminates patient sub-groups in HPV related gynecological cancer
[PRESS RELEASE 2012-05-10] A novel strategy to analyze tumor proteomics data was employed by researchers at the Karolinska Institutet and Science for Life Laboratory to increase the understanding of molecular pathways in the gynecological cancer vulvar squamous cell carcinoma and how patient sub-groups that do or do not relapse regardless of infection with human papilloma virus (HPV) can be discriminated.
2012-05-01, NEWS
Leif Andersson elected as foreign associate to the National Academy of Sciences (USA)
For more information: Leif Andersson elected as foreign associate to the National Academy of Sciences (USA)
2012-04-29, NEWS
Patterns of endogenous steroids in apathetic refugee children are compatible with long-term stress
For more information in swedish: Patterns of endogenous steroids in apathetic refugee children are compatible with long-term stress
2012-04-26, NEWS
Genes shed light on spread of agriculture in Stone Age
One of the most debated developments in human history is the transition from hunter-gatherer to agricultural societies. This week’s edition of Science presents the genetic findings of a Swedish-Danish research team, which show that agriculture spread to Northern Europe via migration from Southern Europe.
2012-04-23, PRESS
Three-spined stickleback’s genes show adaptation to fresh water
The genome of the three-spined stickleback has now been mapped by an international research group led by researchers at Uppsala University and Broad Institute and Stanford University in the US. The results are published in the scientific journal Nature and show how the genes changed to enable the three-spined stickleback to adapt to fresh water after the last ice age. Most of the changes took place through mutations in the regulation of genes.
2012-04-22, NEWS
Drug discovery using worms and digital image analysis
For more information in swedish: Drug discovery using worms and digital image analysis
2012-04-18, NEWS
The President of Finland visited SciLifeLab
Distinguished visit to SciLifeLab Stockholm today by The King and Queen of Sweden and the Finnish President Sauli Niinistö and his wife. Mathias Uhlén, Director of SciLifeLab Stockholm, welcomed the guests to SciLifeLab and a guided tour was carried out to see some of the research performed.
2012-04-13, NEWS
Genetic adaptation of fat metabolism key to development of human brain
About 300 000 years ago humans adapted genetically to be able to produce larger amounts of Omega-3 and Omega-6 fatty acids. This adaptation may have been crucial to the development of the unique brain capacity in modern humans. In today’s life situation, this genetic adaptation contributes instead to a higher risk of developing disorders like cardiovascular disease.
2012-04-05, NEWS
Three-spined stickleback’s genes show adaptation to fresh water
The genome of the three-spined stickleback has now been mapped by an international research group led by researchers at Uppsala University and Broad Institute and Stanford University in the US. The results are published in the scientific journal Nature and show how the genes changed to enable the three-spined stickleback to adapt to fresh water after the last ice age. Most of the changes took place through mutations in the regulation of genes.
2012-04-04, PRESS
Historic investment in SciLifeLab welcomed
[Press release 2012-04-03] The presidents of the four Swedish universities behind the Science for Life Laboratory (SciLifeLab) welcome the huge new investments in life science research announced today.
2012-04-03, NEWS
SciLifeLab to become a world leading research institute
For more information in swedish: SciLifeLab to become a world leading research institute
2012-04-02, PRESS
Improved proteomics tools generated in multidisciplinary EU consortium
[PRESS RELEASE 2012-04-02] New and optimized technological approaches are developed within the PROSPECTS project taking part in moving the proteomics field beyond the large-scale detection and analysis of proteins towards performing true quantitative measurements and to follow cells response to stress or drugs at a proteome-wide level.
2012-02-28, PRESS
SciLifeLab Uppsala gets news premises in Uppsala
Uppsala University and Akademiska Hus are jointly investing SEK 177 million in expanding the Uppsala Biomedical Center (BMC). The goal is to provide medical and molecular bioscience researchers at the Science for Life Laboratory (SciLifeLab) with a meeting place of international stature.
2012-02-02, NEWS
Ulf Landegren and Leif Andersson awarded ERC Advanced Grants
For more information in swedish: Ulf Landegren and Leif Andersson awarded ERC Advanced Grants
2012-02-02, NEWS
SciLifeLab-DAY in Uppsala sets new visitor record!
We thank all researchers, speakers and staff at the technology platforms for contributing to this great SciLifeLab-DAY!
2012-02-01, NEWS
SciLifeLab-DAY sets new visitor record!
For more information in swedish: SciLifeLab-DAY sets new visitor record!
2012-01-10, NEWS
A great EU-funded project on regenerative medicine will be led by Uppsala scientists
For more information in swedish: A great EU-funded project on regenerative medicine will be led by Uppsala scientists