The 2022 Anders Jahre Main Award for Medical Research of NOK 1 million is awarded to Professor Harald Stenmark at the Institute of Clinical Medicine at the University of Oslo. The 2022 Young Researcher Award of NOK 400,000 is shared between Associate Professor Lykke Sylow at the University of Copenhagen and Associate Professor Lars Wiuff Andersen at Aarhus University.
The Anders Jahre Awards for Medical Research reward outstanding research in basic and clinical medicine. The annual prizes are awarded by the University of Oslo and are among the most prestigious awards in medicine in the Nordic region.
The award ceremony was held in the University Aula on Thursday 3 November 2022.
Rector Stølen congratulates the award winners on behalf of the University
“The University of Oslo congratulates the three award winners on receiving this important and prestigious Nordic prize in medicine. Professor Stenmark, Associate Professor Sylow and Associate Professor Wiuff Andersen have made an impressive effort within their areas. Their research results will be of great importance for the prevention and treatment of diseases that affect many people”, Svein Stølen, Rector at the University of Oslo, says.
Anders Jahre Main Award for Medical Research to Harald Stenmark
Professor Harald Stenmark receives the award for his pioneering studies of processes in cell membranes and how misregulation of such processes affects the development of cancer.
Every cell in the body is surrounded by a cell membrane, which is a thin membrane made up of fats and proteins. Inside the cell, there are many different components that are also surrounded by membranes.
Previous cancer research has focused little on membranes. Stenmark and his colleagues have researched how changes in the cell's membrane systems can contribute to the development of cancer. Among other things, they have revealed how changes in the cell's membranes can contribute to DNA damage and increased ability for invasion
They have also found that some of the proteins that regulate cellular membranes may be promising points of attack for targeted cancer treatment.
“It is a great honour to receive this award, not least when you look at the list of previous award winners. It is gratifying that the award committee values the importance of basic cell biology cancer research in our efforts to improve future cancer treatment”, Stenmark says.
Dean Ivar Prydz Gladhaug and Head of Department Dag Kvale warmly congratulate Stenmark. They emphasize that Stenmark is one of the faculty’s most high-profile and renowned researchers, and that this award is very well deserved.
Rector Svein Stølen highlights the fact that the main prize is given to one of the University’s own researchers this year.
“As Rector, I am particularly proud that the Anders Jahre Main Award for Medical Research is awarded one of our own researchers this year. Professor Harald Stenmark leads the Centre for Cancer Cell Reprogramming (CanCell), a Centre of Excellence at the University of Oslo. Through his work he has contributed to a number of ground-breaking discoveries. Stenmark is an eminent and highly respected researcher. We are pleased to have him as an employee.”
The 2022 Young Researcher Award is shared between researchers in Aarhus and Copenhagen
Right: Associate Professor Lykke Sylow
Image: Lars Svankjær/Videnskabernes Selskab
Associate Professor Lykke Sylow receives the award for her outstanding studies of molecular metabolic causes for loss of muscle mass in cancer and type 2 diabetes. Sylow has studied how the hormone insulin and exercise regulate muscle mass and the turnover of sugar in the body. The molecular insight from her research has, among other things, provided a better understanding of the connection between insensitivity to insulin and loss of muscle mass.
“It is a true honour for me to receive this award. I thank the committee for this tremendous encouragement. I am also very grateful for the support I have received from my mentors and from my research group. The support has made this possible”, Sylow says.
Associate Professor Lars Wiuff Andersen receives the award for his outstanding studies on the treatment of cardiac arrest. Through clinical trials, studies of cohorts and comprehensive assessment of previous studies, Wiuff Andersen has given us fundamental new knowledge about how best to treat cardiac arrest. Among other things, his findings have led to changes in the recommendation for the emergency treatment of cardiac arrest.
“I am honoured to receive the 2022 Young Researcher Award. The prize will help us continue our research on cardiac arrest”, Wiuff Andersen says.