Anne Spurkland

Professor - Molecular Immunology

Norwegian version of this page

Email anne.spurkland@medisin.uio.no

Phone +47 22851125

Mobile phone +47-41574078

Room 2501

Username

Visiting address Sognsvannsveien 9 Domus Medica 0372 Oslo

Postal address Postboks 1105 Blindern 0317 Oslo

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Academic interests

Autoimmune disease
T cell activation
Molecular immunology
Genetics
Neuroinflammation

Courses taught

Anatomy
Immunity. Evolutionary and patient oriented perspectives.

Background

Education

MD University of Oslo, 1986
PhD University of Oslo, 1993
Specialised in Immunology and Transfusion Medicine, 2000

Positions held

1988-1992: Research fellow, Norwegian Research Council
1993-1994: Resident physician, Red Cross Blood bank, Oslo
1995: Resident physician, Department of immunology and blood transfusion, Ullevål Hospital, Oslo
1995-1999: Researcher, Institute of transplantation Immunology, Rikshospitalet
2000-2001: Resident physician, Institute of Immunology, Rikshospitalet
2001: Assistant professor, UiO
2001-to present: Professor, UiO

Memberships

Member of the Royal Norwegian Society of Sciences and Letters
Member of the Norwegian Academy of Science and Letters
Member of the Norwegian Society for Immunology

Awards

2023: University in Bergen: The Aarebrot Lecture
2022: Norwegian Women's Public Health Association:The Female Health Research Award
2021: The Norwegian Research Council: The Award for Excellence in Communication of Science
2021: The University of Oslo: The Dissemination Award

Collaboration

Partner in Genetic Analysis of Multiple Sclerosis in Europeans (GAMES) 2000-dd
Partner in International Multiple Sclerosis Consortium (IMSGC) 2008-dd
Member of Management Committee COST Neurinfnet 2009-2011

Tags: Blood and immunology, Genetic and epidemiology, Brain and nervous system, Life science, Immunology, Signaling

Gilmour BC, Visser JG, Kohn-Luque A, Lossius A, Borowicz P, Spurkland A: SH2D2A is an indicator of favourable prognosis in bladder cancer and is enriched in Treg cells. BioRxv preprint 2025, doi: https://doi.org/10.1101/2025.01.13.632739

Spurkland A: Have a cake and eat it too: the importance of metaphors in research communication. Nat Rev Immunol. 2024, 10:695-696. doi: 10.1038/s41577-024-01085-7.

Huszenicza Z, Gilmour GC, Koll L, Kjelstrup H, Chan H, Sundvold V, Granum S, Spurkland A: Interaction of T-cell specific adapter protein with Src- and Tec-family kinases. Scand J Immunol, e13358, doi: 10.1111/sji.13358, 2024

Borowicz P, Sundvold V, Chan H, Abrahamsen G, Kjelstrup K, Nyman TA, Spurkland A: Tyr192 regulates lymphocyte-specific tyrosine kinase activity in T cells. J. Immunol. 207:1128-1137, doi: 10.4049/jimmunol.2001105, 2021.

Borowicz P, Chan H, Hauge A, Spurkland A. Adaptor proteins: Flexible and dynamic modulators of immune cell signalling. Scand J Immunol. Nov;92(5):e12951. doi: 10.1111/sji.12951, 2020.

Andersen TCB, Kristiansen PE, Huszenicza Z, Johansson MU, Gopalakrishnan RP, Boyken S, Sundvold-Gjerstad V, Granum S, Sørli M, Backe PH, Fulton DB, Karlsson BG, Andreotti AH, Spurkland A: The SH3 domains of Itk and Lck compete for adjacent sites on T cell-specific adapter protein. J Biol Chem. 294 (42), 15480-15494, doi: 10.1074/jbc.RA119.008318, 2019.

Gordon EJ, Fukuhara D, Weström S, Padhan N, Sjöström EO, van Meeteren L, He L, Orsenigo F, Dejana E4, Bentley K, Spurkland A, Claesson-Welsh L:The endothelial adaptor molecule TSAd is required for VEGF-induced angiogenic sprouting through junctional c-Src activation. Sci. Signal. Jul 19;9(437):ra72, doi: 10.1126/scisignal.aad9256, 2016.

Granum S, Sundvold-Gjerstad V, Abrahamsen G, Berge T, Koll L, Sørlie M, Spurkland A. Itk and the adapter TSAd co-operate to promote phosphorylation dependent altered specificity of Lck. Science Signaling, 7:p. ra118, doi: 10.1126/scisignal.2005384, 2014.

Huszenicza, Zsuzsa; Gilmour, Brian Christopher; Koll, Lise; Kjelstrup, Hanna; Chan, Hanna & Sundvold, Vibeke [Show all 8 contributors for this article] (2024). Interaction of T-cell-specific adapter protein with Src- and Tec-family kinases. Scandinavian Journal of Immunology. ISSN 0300-9475. 99(5). doi: 10.1111/sji.13358. Full text in Research Archive
Mehlum, Camilla Sivesind; Mahmood, Hanan; Ellingsen, Kristoffer Glenne; Øyen, Ole Morten; Leergaard, Trygve B. & Spurkland, Anne (2022). Self-reported anatomy skills among Norwegian physicians - Need for improved postgraduate teaching provision. European Journal of Anatomy (EJA). ISSN 1136-4890. 26(4), p. 465–476. doi: 10.52083/GQLP6804. Show summary
Anatomy skills are considered essential in all aspects of medical practice, and more so now than before with increasing use of diagnostic imaging techniques and advanced surgery. In conjunction with the revision of the medical study curriculum at the University of Oslo in 2014, we investigated Norwegian physicians’ assessment of their own anatomy knowledge and the educational provision of anatomical skills during and after specialization. A total of 902 Norwegian physicians divided into the specialties of general medicine, internal medicine, surgery, neurology and radiology responded to an anonymous survey. As many as 73% of the physicians had at some time point experienced insufficient anatomy knowledge in their own practice, most commonly among surgeons and neurologists. The respondents expressed a need for supplementary educational provision in anatomy during and after specialization, and 36% were unfamiliar with such offers. Notably, dissection courses seemed unavailable during specialization. Our findings demonstrate a requirement for an improved supply of anatomy education during and after specialization. Anatomy courses that combine dissection, radiological images and clinical application would seem desirable.

View all works in Cristin

Gilmour, Brian Christopher; Visser, Johan Georg; Köhn-Luque, Alvaro ; Lossius, Andreas & Spurkland, Anne (2024). SH2D2A Is an Indicator of Favourable Prognosis in Bladder Cancer and Is Enriched in Activated Treg Cells.
Chan, Hanna; Borowicz, Pawel; Gilmour, Brian Christopher; Stensland, Maria; Loza, Ivan Garcia & Phuyal, Santosh [Show all 10 contributors for this article] (2024). Identification of novel interactors of T cell specific adaptor protein TSAd - an adaptor molecule with elusive function.
Spurkland, Anne (2024). Have a cake and eat it too: the importance of metaphors in research communication. Nature reviews. Immunology. ISSN 1474-1733. 24, p. 695–696. doi: 10.1038/s41577-024-01085-7.
Visser, Johan Georg; Borowicz, Pawel; Chan, Hanna; Hauge, Anette; Kjelstrup, Hanna & Gilmour, Brian Christopher [Show all 7 contributors for this article] (2024). Enhanced analysis of cancer signalling using Lck SH2 domain superbinder.
Borowicz, Pawel; Peters, Timothy J.; Platzer, Rene; Gilmour, Brian Christopher; Seigner, Jacqueline & el Darwich, Manal [Show all 11 contributors for this article] (2024). Chimeric antigen receptors with Lck-adaptors' sequences.
Chan, Hanna; Borowicz, Pawel; Gilmour, Brian Christopher; Stensland, Maria; Loza, Ivan Garcia & Phuyal, Santosh [Show all 10 contributors for this article] (2024). Identification of novel interactors of T cell Specific Adaptor protein TSAd - An adaptor molecule with elusive function.
Spurkland, Anne (2024). Talking to the public about signaling.
Borowicz, Pawel; King, Carolyn G; Dustin, Michael L; Wherry, E John; Koretzky, Gary A & Spurkland, Anne (2024). The future of immunology: a Lofoten perspective. Immunology and Cell Biology. ISSN 0818-9641. 102(9), p. 760–765. doi: 10.1111/imcb.12805.
Wilthil, Jan-Erik; Klein, Joern; Spurkland, Anne & Grødeland, Gunnveig (2024). Ekspertene svarer: Bør unge ta koronavaksinen? [Internet]. NRK.
Kingsrød, Marie Golimo; Nielsen, Adrian; Grødeland, Gunnveig; Spurkland, Anne; Aavitsland, Preben & Bratlie, Sigrid [Show all 8 contributors for this article] (2024). – Kan bli tidenes største skandale. [Newspaper]. VG.
Ingebrigtsen, Julia Renate; Valeur, Jørgen; Zinöcker, Marit; Spurkland, Anne & Østvik, Ann Elisabeth (2024). Eksperter: Dette kan du gjøre for å unngå kronisk inflammasjon. [Newspaper]. VG.
Spurkland, Anne (2023). Immunology outreach - research dissemination during the pandemic.
Visser, Johan Georg; Borowicz, Pawel; Chan, Hanna; Hauge, Anette; Kjelstrup, Hanna & Spurkland, Anne (2023). Lck-SH2 domain superbinder for characterization of phosphotyrosine signaling in T-cell receptor pathway.
Chan, Hanna; Berge, Tone; Grønningsæter, Ingrid Helene; Abbedissen, Ivan; Arnesen, Henriette & Birkeland, Signe [Show all 8 contributors for this article] (2023). Challenges of phenotype reproducibility in animal models: investigating the phenotype of TSAd knockout mice.
Borowicz, Pawel; Peters, Timo; Platzer, Rene; Seigner, Jacqueline; el Darwich, Manal & Kjelstrup, Hanna [Show all 9 contributors for this article] (2023). Chimeric antigen receptors with Lck-adaptors' sequences.
Gilmour, Brian Christopher; Chan, Hanna; Borowicz, Pawel; Phuyal, Santosh; Lossius, Andreas & Spurkland, Anne (2023). β2, or not β2? Connecting the Lck-adaptor TSAd to integrin β2 via a combined wet lab & bioinformatic approach.
Ramezanifarkhani, Toktam & Spurkland, Anne (2023). Dissemination The Spring Seminar 2023 is a joint event hosted by the Kristiana University College and Women Researchers in Informatics. Time and place: Feb. 16, 2023 3:15 PM – 5:00 PM, Høyskolen Kristiania, Kirkegata 24-26, Ernst Hage. .
Cox, Rebecca Jane; Tøndel, Camilla; Spurkland, Anne & Grødeland, Gunnveig (2023). Bør alle norske barn vaksineres mot vannkopper? [Internet]. Forskning.no.
Pongcharoen, Sutatip; Spurkland, Anne & Baldari, Cosima T. (2023). Editorial: Community series in adaptor molecules in T cell signaling, volume II. Frontiers in Immunology. ISSN 1664-3224. 14. doi: 10.3389/fimmu.2023.1243039.
Stranden, Anne Lise; Grødeland, Gunnveig & Spurkland, Anne (2023). Norsk forsker om nobelprisvinner: – Hun har måttet kjempe for anerkjennelse både for seg selv og for dette forskningstemaet. [Business/trade/industry journal]. Forskning.no.
Gilmour, Brian Christopher; Chan, Hanna; Borowicz, Pawel; Johan Georg, Visser; Lossius, Andreas & Spurkland, Anne (2022). Applying bioinformatics to pick-apart elusive protein functions: Focusing on TSAd/SH2D2A, an immune kinase adaptor.
Mekonnen, Meseret Habtamu; Miheret, Adane & Spurkland, Anne (2022). Editorial: Host immune evasion by Mycobacterium tuberculosis: Current updates. Frontiers in Immunology. ISSN 1664-3224. 13. doi: 10.3389/fimmu.2022.1102415.
Spurkland, Anne; Mamelund, Svenn-Erik & Innerland, Cato (2022). Dårlig politikk for neste pandemi. www.nrk.no/ytring.
Wernersen, Camilla; Grødeland, Gunnveig; Nakstad, Espen Rostrup & Spurkland, Anne (2022). Nytt koronavirus oppdaget i flaggermus . [Internet]. NRK.
Øyen, Ole Morten; Spurkland, Anne & Leergaard, Trygve B. (2022). Bedre etterutdanning i anatomi for norske klinikere. Tidsskrift for Den norske legeforening (Tidsskriftet). ISSN 0029-2001. 142(11). doi: 10.4045/tidsskr.22.0350.
Spurkland, Anne & Walgermo, Alf kjetil (2022). Anne Spurkland: – Det er immunforsvaret som vinn til slutt. Ikkje koronaviruset. [Newspaper]. Vårt Land.
Andreassen, Tor Arne; Frigessi, Arnoldo & Spurkland, Anne (2022). Omikron vil neppe smitte alle. Men en eller annen variant, vil nesten alle bli smittet av. [Newspaper]. Aftenposten.
Nijjer, Harpreet Kaur & Spurkland, Anne (2022). Corona-mutant skaper bekymring i flere land. [Newspaper]. VG.
Kristensen, Mette; Spurkland, Anne & Revheim-Rafaelsen, Mathias (2022). Ekspertene sliter med å finne ut hvorfor apekoppene sprer seg. [Internet]. NRK.no.
Birkeland, Malene; Andersen, Elise Rønnevig; Spurkland, Anne; Søraas, Arne & Bukholm, Geir (2022). Ny studie om reinfeksjoner: Norsk ekspert kaller funnene bekymringsfulle. [Newspaper]. VG+.
Johnsen, Juni Hordvin; Øksnes, Simen Grimstad & Spurkland, Anne (2022). Oppløftende omikron-funn: – Gode nyheter. [Internet]. TV.no.
Nyfløt, Hilda; Spurkland, Anne & Gjøen, Tor (2022). Smittsomt marburgvirus tar livet av to personer i Ghana. [Internet]. NRK.no.
Gullikstad, Åsne & Spurkland, Anne (2022). Navn i nyhetene: – Som å skru av en bryter. [Newspaper]. Dagsavisen.
Tveito, Marit & Spurkland, Anne (2022). Formidling, forskning og frie kaker. [Business/trade/industry journal]. Tidsskrift for den norske legeforeningen.
Spurkland, Anne (2022). GJEST Spurkland om apekopper. [TV]. NRK Nyhetsmorgen.
Flem, Sofie Svanes; Spurkland, Anne & Flo, Trude Helen (2022). Norsk Facebook-post om korona gikk viralt – men påstanden er feil. [Internet]. Faktisk.no.
Fausko, Line & Spurkland, Anne (2022). Immunolog om ny vaksine: − Ser ut som det beste vi har så langt. [Newspaper]. VG.
Johnsen, Jesper Hommefoss & Spurkland, Anne (2022). Pause frå pandemien Trass i gjenopning er vi ikkje kvitt koronaviruset. Immunolog Anne Spurkland meiner vi veit altfor lite om følgjene av ein infeksjon. [Newspaper]. Dag & Tid.
Stoksvik, Marte & Spurkland, Anne (2022). Fra krav til råd om isolasjon: − Helt klart ikke noe vanntett opplegg. [Newspaper]. VG.
Dommerud, Tine & Spurkland, Anne (2022). Det var kanskje ikke så dumt med den forkjølelsen ... [Newspaper]. Aftenposten.
Fidjestad, Lena Rustan; Spurkland, Anne & Grødeland, Gunnveig (2022). Tror ikke viruset vil påvirke oss slik det gjør i dag. [Newspaper]. VG+.
Chan, Hanna; Borowicz, Pawel; Kjelstrup, Hanna; Gilmour, Brian Christopher; Loza, Ivan Garcia & Stensland, Maria [Show all 8 contributors for this article] (2022). Novel interaction partners of the SH2 domain in T cell specific adaptor protein (TSAd).
Borowicz, Pawel; Gopalakrishnan, Ramakrishna Prabhu; Chan, Hanna; Granum, Stine; Abrahamsen, Greger & Foss, Stian [Show all 9 contributors for this article] (2022). How to investigate the function of a single amino acid? Using the example of a conserved pTyr motif in the unstructured C-terminus of TSAd.
Spurkland, Anne (2022). Ekko NRK: Sommerferien og korona. [Radio]. NRK.
Spurkland, Anne (2022). Nytt på nytt. [TV]. Nrk.
Haugen, Vilde; Spurkland, Anne; Grødeland, Gunnveig & Nakstad, Espen Rostrup (2022). Coronapillen snart i Norge: - Stor fordel for enkelte. VG : Verdens gang. ISSN 0805-5203.
Gilmour, Brian Christopher; Spurkland, Anne; Dissen, Erik & Phuyal, Santosh (2024). β2 or not β2: that is the question—Expanding the SH2D2A-interactome to adhesion & β-integrins using a combined bioinformatic & wet-lab approach. Universitetet i Oslo. ISSN 978-82-348-0484-7.
Chan, Hanna & Spurkland, Anne (2024). TSAd as a target for therapy : TSAd-SH2 domain interactions in T cells. Universitetet i Oslo. ISSN 9788234803307. Show summary
T cells play a crucial role in the immune system to combat infectious diseases and have been exploited for use in immunotherapies. Responding to incoming signals from their extracellular milieu, T cell activity is regulated by intracellular signalling pathways. These signalling networks, in which adaptor proteins bridge protein-protein interactions, ensure that T cells respond in an appropriate and sufficient manner. In this thesis, we characterised the interactome and explored the functional role of adaptor protein TSAd, which has been implicated in T cell intracellular signalling. Using affinity-purification mass spectrometry and biochemical methods, we identify two novel ligands of TSAd, namely DOK2 and PTPN11 and their interaction sites. Moreover, the phenotype of TSAd-deficient mice was revisited and discrepancies of the data in the field was addressed. Overall, our findings provide further insight into adaptor molecule biology, which may aid in future development of immunotherapies and elucidating mechanisms of T cell driven pathologies.