About the group

Many of the common life-threatening diseases in the Norwegian population, such as insulin resistance, Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus, and cardiovascular disease, are linked to disturbances in lipid metabolism and lipid accumulation. A central component in these various pathogenic conditions is the marked elevation of lipid droplets in the affected tissues/organs. The contribution of disturbed lipid droplet metabolism and altered lipid storage to disease development is currently poorly investigated. The lipid droplet group focuses on understanding the molecular regulation of lipid droplet formation and degradation. Our primary interests are to:

  • Map transcriptional factors regulating the expression of key proteins important for lipid droplet synthesis and degradation
  • Understand the biological role of proteins bound to the lipid droplet surface using genetically modified mouse models
  • Identify components interacting at the lipid droplet surface and explore the use of such interactions to treat lipid-mediated diseases.

Interested in joining the lipid droplet research group?

Whenever we have an open position, it will be announced here: https://www.med.uio.no/english/about/vacancies/index.html. 

We also welcome spontaneous applications from postdoctoral candidates. If we do not have any positions open for application, we can support candidates in their application for their own funding to join this lab. E.g. Marie Skłodowska-Curie Individual Fellowships: https://ec.europa.eu/research/mariecurieactions/actions/individual-fellowships_en 

Ongoing Projects

  • Perilipin proteins and Metabolic Dysfunction-Associated Steatotic Liver Disease (MASLD).
  • Perilipin proteins and atherosclerosis.
  • NutriFrail - diet interventions to prevent aging and frailty.

Past projects:

  • Characterize the role of the fourth perilipin protein - S3-12 / Plin4.
  • Functionally characterize the fifth perilipin protein (LSDP5 / Plin5).
  • Identify transcription factors regulating the expression of perilipins in various organs (PPARs).
  • Exploring the health effects of salmon fishmeal - testing of biological effects and toxicity in mice.

Funding Sources

  • Medical Faculty at the University of Oslo.
  • The South-Eastern Health Authorities.
  • Direktør Throne Holsts fond for ernæringsforskning.
  • Henning and Johan Throne-Holst Foundation.
  • Aktieselskabet Freia Chocolade Fabrik’s Medical Foundation.
  • Anders Jahre’s Foundation.