About The Laboratory of Adaptive Immunity and Homeostasis
The research group is studying the cellular processes and molecular interplay underlying the functions of the two most abundant proteins in blood, albumin and IgG. Such knowledge offers opportunities for development of novel concepts that will secure improved half-life and biodistribution of IgG and albumin based therapeutics. The laboratory has an eye on translational research, is highly innovative and is the research group at the University of Oslo and Oslo University Hospital with most registered innovations at Inven2. The laboratory is collaborating extensively with biotech and pharmaceutical companies. The head of the laboratory, Jan Terje Andersen, has obtained the Fridtjof Nansen Prize for Early Career Achievements, Oslo University Hospital Early Career Award and is a member of The Young Academy of Norway.
Projects
A) Studies of the interactions of antibodies with their Fc receptors, with a particular focus on the neonatal Fc receptor (FcRn) and its relationship with IgG and albumin. In addition, we are investigating how FcRn acts as a transporter in different cell types of the body. The studies will unravel the basic structural and cellular mechanisms that govern the functions of FcRn. Such knowledge offers opportunities for development of novel drug concepts that will secure improved half-life and biodistribution.
B) Studies of the mechanisms of infections at different body sites and how humoral immunity fights and restricts infection and virus replication. In particular, we are studying how antibodies contribute to protection against infectious diseases, and how FcRn and tripartite motif containing 21 (TRIM21) take part in cellular protection. Such knowledge can be utilized to develop novel antibody technologies tailored to combat infectious diseases.
For more information, please visit:
Twitter: @Andersen JT
The Young Academy of Norway:
http://akademietforyngreforskere.no/medlem/jan-terje-andersen/