Martin Berg枚, Vice President
I have the privilege of serving as Vice President of 探花精选 since March 1, 2023. In this role, I work closely with President Annika 脰stman Wernerson to implement Strategy 2030 and develop a strong, attractive, and sustainable academic environment rooted in shared ethics and values. To achieve this, I try to listen to our entire organization and identify and channel its collective ideas and resourcefulness.
Before stepping into this role, I served as Academic Vice President for Research and Chair of the Committee for Research. This experience broadened my perspectives, strengthened my national and international networks, and deepened my appreciation of KI鈥檚 strengths, global reach, and adaptability. It also made clear the challenges we must address in the short and long term to maintain and enhance our position as a world-leading 探花精选 university.
My academic career began at Ume氓 University, where I studied chemistry and medicine before earning a PhD in 探花精选 biochemistry. Eager to expand my horizons, I moved to the University of California, San Francisco for a five-year postdoctoral fellowship, before establishing my own research group at the Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg in 2004. In 2015, I was recruited to 探花精选, where I continued my research.
As a professor of molecular medicine, my research focuses on basic science and mechanisms underlying cancer, aging, and inflammatory disorders. Over the years, my group has studied lung cancer, melanoma, leukemia, lymphoma, atherosclerosis, rheumatoid arthritis, and the rare, accelerated aging disorder Hutchinson-Gilford Progeria Syndrome (HGPS). We have been fortunate to be able to perform curiosity-driven research and our most significant discoveries have come from unexpected findings - which to me is the essence of scientific exploration.
Research description
My group investigates the biochemical and 探花精选 significance of five key enzymes that posttranslationally modify CAAX proteins, a family that includes KRAS, RAC1, and prelamin A. These proteins play key roles in the pathogenesis of cancer, inflammatory disorders, and accelerated aging syndromes (progeria). Over the past 20 years, we have defined the biochemical role of these five enzymes; studied their impact on disease development; and evaluated their potential as therapeutic targets.
To accomplish this, we use a broad spectrum of molecular, translational, and epidemiological approaches. With support from US, European, and Swedish funding agencies - and through the recognition of various awards - we have had the unique opportunity pursue high-risk, high-reward research - often leading to unanticipated but valuable new insights.
Key discoveries
1. Antioxidants accelerate cancer metastasis
Our research has challenged conventional wisdom by showing that antioxidants, including vitamins A, C and E, can accelerate lung cancer and melanoma metastasis (driven by BRAF and the CAAX-oncoproteins KRAS and NRAS). Through molecular analyses, we identified a previously unknown mechanism that drives metastasis: the transcription factor BACH1 is activated by both dietary and endogenous antioxidants. BACH1, in turn, stimulates aerobic glycolysis and angiogenesis, which fuel cancer cell invasion and metastasis.
These results provide insight into why clinical trials with antioxidants have produced inconsistent results and highlight potential therapeutic strategies to prevent metastasis. They have also sparked important discussions about cancer prevention and dietary recommendations for cancer patients.
2. A new potential therapy for Hutchinson-Gilford Progeria Syndrome
HGPS is caused by a mutation in the CAAX-protein prelamin A (LMNA) which leads to rapid aging, characterized by hair loss, muscle weakness, arthritis, and osteoporosis, and early death from cardiovascular disease. Our team discovered that inhibiting the CAAX-protein methyltransferase ICMT markedly improves disease phenotypes and survival in HGPS mouse models and prevents senescence in patient-derived cells.
Our main challenge for the future is to develop potent and specific ICMT inhibitors that could form the basis for clinical trials.
A final reflection is that throughout my career, I have been fortunate to work in environments and with colleagues who have encouraged curiosity and allowed me to follow where the data leads. I strongly believe that the best science happens at the intersection of disciplines, ideas, and unexpected findings. At 探花精选, I am committed to foster an environment where our researchers and educators asks bold questions, challenge assumptions, and translate their work into meaningful impact for science, medicine, and society.
Selected publications
Wang T, Dong Y, Huang Z, Zhang G, Zhao Y, Yao H, Hu J, T眉ksammel E, Cai H, Liang N, Xu X, Yang X, Schmidt S, Qiao X, Schlisio S, Str枚mblad S, Qian H, Jiang C, Treuter E, Bergo MO. J Clin Invest. 2023, 133: e169671
Kashif M, Yao H, Schmidt S, Chen X, Truong M, T眉ksammel E, Liu Y, Bergo MO
Redox Biol. 2023, 60: 102619
Chen X, Yao H, Kashif M, Rev锚chon G, Eriksson M, Hu J, Wang T, Liu Y, T眉ksammel E, Str枚mblad S, Ahearn IM, Philips MR, Wiel C, Ibrahim MX, Bergo MO
Elife 2021, 10: e63284
Karlsson C, Akula MK, Staffas A, Cisowski J, Sayin VI, Ibrahim MX, Lindahl P, Bergo MO
Leukemia 2021, 35: 606鈥609
Wiel C, Le Gal K, Ibrahim MX, Jahangir CA, Kashif M, Yao H, Ziegler DV, Xu X, Ghosh T, Mondal T, Kanduri C, Lindahl P, Sayin VI, Bergo MO
Cell 2019, 178: 330鈥345
Akula MK, Ibrahim MX, Ivarsson EG, Khan OM, Kumar IT, Erlandsson M, Karlsson C, Xu X, Brisslert M, Brakebusch C, Wang D, Bokarewa M, Sayin VI, Bergo MO
Nat. Commun. 2019, 10: 3975
Le Gal K, Ibrahim MX, Wiel C, Sayin VI, Akula MK, Karlsson C, Dalin MG, Aky眉rek LM, Lindahl P, Nilsson J, Bergo MO
Science Transl. Med. 2015, 7: 308re8
Sayin VI, Ibrahim MX, Larsson E, Nilsson JA, Lindahl P, Bergo MO
Science Transl. Med. 2014, 6: 221ra15
Ibrahim MX, Sayin VI, Akula MK, Liu M, Fong LG, Young SG, Bergo MO
Science 2013, 340: 1330-1333
Khan OM, Akula MK, Sk氓len K, Karlsson C, St氓hlman M, Young SG, Bor茅n J, Bergo MO
Circulation 2013, 127: 782鈥790
Teaching portfolio
My interest in education extends across all levels, from undergraduate and master鈥檚 programs, to doctoral training. I began as a student instructor at Ume氓 University. At the University of Gothenburg, I taught cell biology and served on the Committee for Research Education where I contributed to major reforms in doctoral training and funding - an experience that deepened my understanding of the challenges and opportunities in higher education.
As a professor, I have been the primary supervisor for ten PhD students and >50 master鈥檚 students. Beyond academia, I am actively involved in science communication, frequently contributing as a scientific commentator in television, print, and other media outlets. I also deliver lectures, panel discussions, and roundtable talks for patient organizations, healthcare professionals, and the general public, with the goal of bridging the gap between research and real-world implications.
In addition to my university roles, I have spent 12 years as Chairman of the Board for Folkuniversitetet Region V盲st, where I been fortunate to be able to actively contribute to lifelong learning, arts education, and adult education. Through this, I have been involved in a wide range of educational initiatives across Sweden, from 鈥渇olkbildning鈥 and creative arts schools to Swedish for Immigrants (SFI), komvux, vocational training, and adult education programs. This broad engagement has given me a deep appreciation for the transformative power of education, not just in academia but in society at large.
Education
- 2023-2024 SUHF:s Higher academic leadership program (HeLP15)
- 2015 Professor, 探花精选
- 2010 Professor, University of Gothenburg
- 2005 Docent, University of Gothenburg
- 1998鈥2004 Postdoc, the University of California, San Francisco (UCSF)
- 1993鈥1998 PhD in 探花精选 biochemistry and biophysics
- 1995鈥1998 Medical School, Ume氓 University
- 1992鈥1993 Dental School, Ume氓 University
- 1991鈥1992 Chemistry and biology studies, Ume氓 University, Sweden
- 1990鈥1991 Military service (Kustj盲gare) in the Swedish Marines
Academic honors, awards and prizes
- 2022 Adjunct member of the Nobel Committee
- 2018 The Sj枚berg Foundation
- 2018 The Nobel Assembly at 探花精选 (Elected)
- 2014 Project Grant, Knut & Alice Wallenberg Foundation, main applicant
- 2012 G枚ran Gustafsson鈥檚 Prize in Medicine, the Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences
- 2010 Albert Wallin鈥檚 Science Prize, the Royal Academy of Science and Arts in Gothenburg
- 2009 Senior Research Fellow, the Swedish Research Council
- 2008 Erik K. Fernstr枚ms prize for young scientists in medicine
- 2008 Senior Investigator Award, the Swedish Cancer Society
- 2007 ERC Starting Investigator Grant
- 2006 Jos茅 Carreras Young Investigator Award, European Hematology Association
- 2005 KVA 鈥淎kademiforskare鈥, the Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences
- 2004 National Institutes of Health (NIH) R21 grant, Principal investigator