Jarle Breivik

Research goal
- to explore, challenge and expand the scientific and public understanding of cancer.
Background
Jarle Breivik (MD/PhD/EdD) has an academic background that combines basic medical science, science communication, and education management. His work on the evolutionary dynamics of cancer development has received international recognition and includes publications in PNAS, Int. J. Cancer and Adv. Cancer Res. It has also been featured in articles in Scientific American and Wired Magazine, and he has served on scientific review committees for the US National Institute of Health and the European Commission.
Breivik also holds a doctorate (EdD) in Higher Education Management from the University of Pennsylvania and currently serves a Assoc. Dean of Education (Utdanningsleder) at Institute of Basic Medical Sciences, responsible for the first two years of the Medical Degree and the Master's program in clinical nutrition at the Faculty of Medicine.
Resumé
- 2020- : Head of Department of Behavioural Medicine, Institute for Basic Medical Science, Faculty of Medicine, University of Oslo.
- 2014- : Associate Dean of Education (Utdanningsleder), Institute for Basic Medical Science, Faculty of Medicine, University of Oslo.
- 2013- : Professor of Medicine, Institute for Basic Medical Science, Faculty of Medicine, University of Oslo.
- 2012-2014: Visiting Fulbright Scholar, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania.
- 2012-2014: Ed.D., Graduate School of Education, University of Pennsylvania.
- 2009-2011: Prof./Associate Dean of PhD Education (Forskerutdanningsleder), Faculty of Medicine, University of Oslo.
- 2004-2009: Prof./Associate Dean of MD/PhD Education (Forskerlinjeleder), Faculty of Medicine, University of Oslo.
- 2000-2004: Post.Doc., Norwegian Radium Hospital.
- 1996-2000: Ph.D., University of Oslo / National Hospital.
- 1989-1996: M.D., University of Oslo.
Publications
Evolution of cancer
Cancer development is an evolutionary process within the body of an organism. These papers aim to explore and explain this process in an interdisciplinary perspective. A key aspect concerns the evolutionary relationship between environmental factors and rise of genetic instability in cancer cells. This model has been tested and confirmed by several experimental studies.
Selected science papers:
- Don't stop for repairs in a war zone: Darwinian evolution unites genes and environment in cancer development. Breivik, J. Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U. S. A. (2001) 98, 5379-5381.
- Unstable DNA Repair Genes Shaped by Their Own Sequence Modifying Phenotypes. Falster DS, Nakken S, Bergem-Ohr M, Rødland EA and Breivik J. J. Mol. Evo. (2010) 70, 266-274.
- Resolving the evolutionary paradox of genetic instability: a cost-benefit analysis of DNA repair in changing environments. Breivik, J. & Gaudernack, G. FEBS Lett. (2004) 563, 7-12.
- The evolutionary origin of genetic instability in cancer development. Breivik, J.Semin. Cancer Biol. (2005) 15, 51-60.
- Cancer - evolution within. Breivik, J. Int. J. Epidemiol. (2006) 35, 1161-1162.
Popularized articles concerning this research:
- The way we think about cancer must evolve, Wolverton M. Wired (2013) May 22.
- No solution to cancer? Science Daily (2007) April 17.
- Have our genes evolved to turn against us? PhysOrg.com (2007) April 16.
- Evolved for cancer? Zimmer C. Scientific American (2007) 296, 68-74.
- Untangling the roots of cancer Gibbs WW. Scientific American (2003) 289, 56-65.
Immunotherapy
For my PhD, I contributed to Gustav Gaudernack's pioneering work on immunotherapy and peptide-based cancer vaccines:
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Vaccination with mutant ras peptides and induction of T-cell responsiveness in pancreatic carcinoma patients carrying the corresponding RAS mutation. Gjertsen MK, Bakka A, Breivik J, Saeterdal I, Solheim BG, Søreide O, Thorsby E, Gaudernack G. Lancet (1995) 346:1399-400.
Science and Cancer Communication
Science is generally perceived as the objective search for facts and truths. Yet, how we perceive and understand the scientific truth is largely dependent on context. A gene, may be presented as a molecular structure, a thing that determines our looks or behaviors, a risk factor for getting a disease, a unit that evolves over time, or a symbol of relationship. Cancer may be framed a biotechnological problem, an environmental disease, a sociopolitical issue or an enemy of humanity. Each frame has different implications for the way we understand biology and medicine, as well as life in general, and it is important to be aware of these different modes of communication:
- The Nine Cancer Frames: A Tool to Facilitate Critical Reading of Cancer-Related Information, Murray C, von Possel N, Lie HC, Breivik J. J Cancer Educ ( 2021)
- Frame Analysis in Science Education: A Classroom Activity for Promoting Media Literacy and Learning about Genetic Causation. Carver RB, Wiese EF & Breivik J, International Journal of Science Education (2013).
- Quantitative Frame Analysis of How the Gene Concept Is Presented in Tabloid and Elite Newspapers. Carver R, Rødland, EA & Breivik J, Science Communication (2012)
- Frame that gene. Carver R, Waldahl R & Breivik J, EMBO Report (2008)
Evolution and artificial reproduction
Evolution is a continuous process and humans are still subject to selection. Here we explore how recent medical advances may affect this process:
- Can IVF influence human evolution? Hanevik HA, Hessen DO, Sunde A & Breivik J, Human Reproduction (2016)
Education management
In order to do good research, we also need to take a research-based perspective to how we lead and organize our research organizations:
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Leadership and organizational change in biomedical PhD education: An instrumental case study of the development of a centralized organization for biomedical graduate studies at the University of Pennsylvania. Breivik J, Thesis (Ed.D. in Higher Education Management), University of Pennsylvania (2014).
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Evaluation of the medical student research programme in Norwegian medical schools. A survey of students and supervisors. Hunskaar S, Breivik J, Siebke M, Tømmerås K, Figenschau K and Hansen JB. BMC Medical Education (2009).
Self-replicating machines
In order to explore and illustrate the fundamental principles of biology, I have developed and patented the concept of making physical objects (e.g. robotic toys) that replicate like DNA molecules. Hopefully it will come to use one day:
- System which can reversibly reproduce itself. Breivik, J. (2001) US Patent 6,652,285.
- Self-organization of template-replicating polymers and the spontaneous rise of genetic information. Breivik J. Entropy (2001) 3, 273-279.
Magnetic DNA isolation
As a medical student, I developed a method for isolating DNA by magnetic separation. The patent is commercialized by Qiagen.
US Patent 6090935, Isolation of nucleic acid.
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Murray, Craig Edward Sørheim; Von Possel, Nina; Lie, Hanne C. & Breivik, Jarle (2021). The Nine Cancer Frames: A Tool to Facilitate Critical Reading of Cancer-Related Information. Journal of Cancer Education. ISSN 0885-8195. p. 1–10. doi: 10.1007/s13187-021-02062-7. Full text in Research Archive
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Stokke, Sunneva; Solberg, Ingeborg Lodden; Grøttum, Per; Lundin, Knut Erik Aslaksen; Heggen, Kristin & Breivik, Jarle (2019). Et system for studentevaluering av forelesninger ved medisinstudiet i Oslo. Tidsskrift for Den norske legeforening. ISSN 0029-2001. 139(11). doi: 10.4045/tidsskr.19.0027.
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Breivik, Jarle (2016). Reframing the "Cancer Moonshot". EMBO Reports. ISSN 1469-221X. 17(12). doi: 10.15252/embr.201643467. Show summary
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Hanevik, Hans Ivar; Hessen, Dag Olav; Sunde, Arne & Breivik, Jarle (2016). Can IVF influence human evolution? Human Reproduction. ISSN 0268-1161. 31(7), p. 1397–1402. doi: 10.1093/humrep/dew089.
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Carver, Rebecca Bruu; Wiese, Eline Fatima & Breivik, Jarle (2013). Frame Analysis in Science Education: A Classroom Activity for Promoting Media Literacy and Learning about Genetic Causation. International Journal of Science Education. ISSN 0950-0693. 4(3), p. 211–239. doi: 10.1080/21548455.2013.797128.
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Carver, Rebecca Bruu; Rødland, Einar Andreas & Breivik, Jarle (2013). Quantitative Frame Analysis of How the Gene Concept Is Presented in Tabloid and Elite Newspapers. Science communication. ISSN 1075-5470. 35(4 ), p. 449–475. doi: 10.1177/1075547012460525. Show summary
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Falster, DS; Nakken, S; Bergem-Ohr, M; Rødland, Einar Andreas & Breivik, J (2010). Unstable DNA Repair Genes Shaped by Their Own Sequence Modifying Phenotypes. Journal of Molecular Evolution. ISSN 0022-2844. 70(3), p. 266–274. doi: 10.1007/s00239-010-9328-0.
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Hunskaar, Steinar; Breivik, Jarle; Siebke, Else-Marie; Tømmerås, Karin; Figenschau, Kristian & Hansen, John-Bjarne (2009). Evaluation of the medical student research programme in Norwegian medical schools. A survey of students and supervisors. BMC Medical Education. ISSN 1472-6920. 9(43). doi: 10.1186/1472-6920-9-43. Full text in Research Archive
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Carver, Rebecca; Waldahl, Ragnar & Breivik, Jarle (2008). Frame that gene. A tool for analysing and classifying the communication of genetics to the public. EMBO Reports. ISSN 1469-221X. 9(10), p. 943–947.
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Breivik, Jarle (2006). Cancer - evolution within. International Journal of Epidemiology. ISSN 0300-5771. 35(5), p. 1161–1162.
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Breivik, Jarle (2005). The evolutionary origin of genetic instability in cancer development. Seminars in Cancer Biology. ISSN 1044-579X. 15.
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Breivik, Jarle & Gaudernack, Gustav (2004). Resolving the evolutionary paradox of genetic instability: a cost-benefit analysis of DNA repair in changing environments. FEBS Letters. ISSN 0014-5793. 563, p. 7–12.
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Breivik, Jarle; Lothe, Ragnhild A; Meling, Gunn Iren; Rognum, Torleiv Ole; Børresen-Dale, Anne-Lise & Gaudernack, Gustav (1997). Different genetic pathways to proximal and distal colorectal cancer influenced by sex related factors. International Journal of Cancer. ISSN 0020-7136. 97, p. 664–669.
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Andersen, Solveig Norheim; Løvig, Tone; Breivik, Jarle; Lund, Eiliv; Gaudernack, Gustav & Meling, Gunn Iren [Show all 7 contributors for this article] (1997). K-ras mutations and prognosis in large bowel carcinomas. Scandinavian Journal of Gastroenterology. ISSN 0036-5521. 32, p. 62–69.
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Andersen, Solveig Norheim; Breivik, Jarle; Løvig, Tone; Meling, Gunn Iren; Gaudernack, Gustav & Clausen, Ole Petter Fraas [Show all 11 contributors for this article] (1996). K-ras mutations and HLA-DR expression in large bowel adenomas. British Journal of Cancer. ISSN 0007-0920. 74, p. 99–108.
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Gjertsen, Marianne Klemp; Bakka, Arne; Breivik, Jarle; Sæterdal, Ingvil; Gedde-Dahl jr, Tobias & Stokke, Kjell Torgeir [Show all 11 contributors for this article] (1996). Ex vivo ras peptide vaccination in patients with advanced pancreatic cancer: results of a phase I/II study. International Journal of Cancer. ISSN 0020-7136. 65, p. 450–3.
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Gjertsen, MK; Bakka, Arne Olav; Breivik, Jarle; Sæterdal, I; Solheim, Bjarte G. & Thorsby, Erik [Show all 7 contributors for this article] (1995). Vaccination with mutant ras peptides induces of T-cell responsiveness in pancreatic carcinoma patients carrying the corresponding RAS mutation. The Lancet. ISSN 0140-6736. p. 1399–1400.
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Brevik, Lisbeth M.; Reedy, Gabriel; Breivik, Jarle; Thune, Taran Mari & Barreng, Rebecca Linnéa Söderström (2022). Circle U. Café Oslo: Driving pedagogical innovation. Show summary
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Maasø, Arnt; Brevik, Lisbeth M.; Vasbø, Kristin Beate; Breivik, Jarle; Lerheim, Birgitte & Malthe-Sørenssen, Anders [Show all 7 contributors for this article] (2021). Dette må bli læringsmiljøets år. Khrono.no. ISSN 1894-8995.
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Brevik, Lisbeth M.; Breivik, Jarle & Maasø, Arnt (2021). Samtale: Hvordan tilrettelegge for hybrid undervisning.
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Brevik, Lisbeth M.; Breivik, Jarle & Maasø, Arnt (2021). Hvordan skape et godt læringsmiljø med hybridundervisning? [Internet]. HF:Studio.
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Brevik, Lisbeth M.; Breivik, Jarle & Maasø, Arnt (2020). Hvordan involvere studenter i forskning? Diskusjon med et utvalg av UiOs meritterte undervisere. .
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Frich, Jan C; Breivik, Jarle; Lundin, Knut Erik Aslaksen; Rosvold, Elin Olaug & Os, Ingrid (2017). Valgfrie emner i medisinstudiet. Tidsskrift for Den norske legeforening. ISSN 0029-2001. 137(20), p. 1–5. doi: 10.4045/tidsskr.17.0549.
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Breivik, Jarle (2016). Re: Insulinresistens - kroppens forsvar mot kaloriforgiftning? Tidsskrift for Den norske legeforening. ISSN 0029-2001. 136(14).
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Breivik, Jarle (2016). Obama og kreft. [Radio]. https://radio.nrk.no/serie/dagsnytt-atten/nmag03000816/13-01.
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Breivik, Jarle (2016). We won't cure cancer. New York Times, USA.
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Frich, Jan C; Wium, Kristin; Røine, Linda Kristin; Breivik, Jarle; Lundin, Knut Erik Aslaksen & Rosvold, Elin Olaug (2016). Implementing elective courses in the basic Medical curriculum at the University of Oslo.
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Breivik, Jarle (2015). J. Breivik svarer. Tidsskrift for Den norske legeforening. ISSN 0029-2001. 135(17), p. 1533–1534. doi: 10.4045/tidsskr.15.0919.
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Breivik, Jarle (2015). J. Breivik svarer. Tidsskrift for Den norske legeforening. ISSN 0029-2001. 135(22), p. 2026–2026. doi: 10.4045/tidsskr.15.1197.
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Breivik, Jarle (2015). Who has misled Trond Mohn? Tidsskrift for Den norske legeforening. ISSN 0029-2001. 135(6), p. 558–560. Show summary
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Breivik, Jarle (2015). Hvem har villedet Trond Mohn? :. Tidsskrift for Den norske legeforening. ISSN 0029-2001. 135(6), p. 558–560. doi: 10.4045/tidsskr.15.0053.
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Breivik, Jarle (2014). Re: Brysomme studenter. Tidsskrift for Den norske legeforening. ISSN 0029-2001. 134(21).
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Breivik, Jarle (2013). Sprikende forskerutdanning. Tidsskrift for Den norske legeforening. ISSN 0029-2001. 133(9), p. 617–618.
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Carver, Rebecca Bruu; Klavenes, Eileen Holm & Breivik, Jarle (2010). Genes in the Media.
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Carver, Rebecca Bruu; Jorde, Doris; Breivik, Jarle & Klavenes, Eileen Holm (2010). Media Analysis in Biology Class.
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Carver, Rebecca Bruu & Breivik, Jarle (2009). Gener i Media og Klasserommet: Genrammer. Naturfag. ISSN 1504-4564. p. 37–37.
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Carver, Rebecca & Breivik, Jarle (2009). Mediaanalyse i Biologitimen. Naturfag. ISSN 1504-4564. p. 34–37.
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Carver, Rebecca; Waldahl, Ragnar & Breivik, Jarle (2008). Frame that gene - A tool for analysing and classifying the communication of genetics to the public. EMBO Reports. ISSN 1469-221X. 9, p. 943–947. doi: 10.1038/embor.2008.176.
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Carver, Rebecca & Breivik, Jarle (2008). Frame that gene! How do journalists, scientists and the public talk about genes? Show summary
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Breivik, Jarle & Aas, Harald (2007). Kreftgåten er uløselig.
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Breivik, Jarle (2005). Template replication: cancer development to magnetic toys.
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Breivik, Jarle (2005). Is there a solution to the cancer problem?
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Breivik, Jarle (2005). Whole genome analysis reveals high density of mononucleotide repeats within mismatch repair genes. Show summary
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Breivik, Jarle (2005). The evolutionary origin of genetic instability in cancer development. Show summary
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Breivik, Jarle (2005). Repeat protection, cancer suseptability and the evolution of selfish DNA repair genes.
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Breivik, Jarle (2014). Leadership and organization change in biomedical PhD education: An instrumental case study of the development of a centralized organization for biomedical graduate studies at the University of Pennsylvania. University of Pennsylvania.