The research at NoPSC covers all aspects of the rare cholestatic disease Primary Sclerosing Cholangitis (PSC), from laboratory bench to clinical trials.
The goal of our research is to increase the understanding of the cause and underlying mechanisms of PSC and develop tools for diagnosis and treatment.
Our research scope also covers Inflammatory Bowl Disease, which occurs in about 80% of the PSC patients, and other comorbidities that coincide with PSC, in particular bile duct cancer and liver transplantation.
Financing
The Norwegian PSC research center has since 2008 received philanthropic donations from Canica AS. This support is the core of our business.
In addition, we have projects and research staff financed by competitive funds from South-Eastern Norway Regional Health Authority, The Research Council of Norway, European Union and others. The Halloran Family Foundation from USA also supports research projects at NoPSC.
Monitoring
There are several mechanisms in place to ensure the continuous high quality of our research. First, the consecutive evaluation of research articles for publication and applications for competitive research funds. In addition, NoPSC has three main research quality assurance mechanisms in place:
Scientific Advisory Board
Our Scientific Advisory Board (SAB) regularly goes through the research portfolio of the center and gives feedback and advice to ensure the quality and direction of the research in alignment with our goals.
From 2023 to 2026 our SAB members are:
- Professor Ole Andreassen, University of Oslo, Norway
- Professor Pål Rasmus Njølstad, University of Bergen, Norway
- Professor Frank Tacke, Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Germany
Guest Professors
At all times NoPSC engages 2-3 guest professors with unique world-class competencies in areas relevant for the research activities at the Center. The guest professors meet with the researches at the center 1-2 times a year. Through supervision, guidance and basic discussions the quality of the details in our research projects is assured.
From 2026 to 2027 our guest professors are:
- Professor Jan Tchorz, Univereity of Tuebingen, Germany
- Professor Maja Thiele, University of Southern Denmark
- Professor Verena Keitel-Anselmino, University of Magdeburg, Germany
Monitoring Board
The Monitoring Board oversees the finances and priorities regarding the philanthropic research funds at NoPSC. In the Monitoring Board there is representation from the University of Oslo, Oslo University Hospital and our main contributor of research funds; Canica AS.
From 2024 the Monitoring Board consist of:
- Leader: Professor Dag Kvale, Leader of the Institute of Clinical Medicine, University of Oslo
- Unni Aagedal, Assistant Director, Administration of the Institute of Clinical Medicine, University of Oslo
- Nina Paulsen, Canica AS
- Daniel Sørli, Canica AS
- Professor Bente Halvorsen, Leader of Research Institute for Internal Medicine, Oslo University Hospital
- Janne M. Gripheim, Leader of Department for Transplantation Medicine, Oslo University Hospital
From NoPSC
- Professor Tom Hemming Karlsen, Center leader
- Merete Tysdahl, Administrative coordinator
NoPSC annual reports
Every year NoPSC creates an annual report to document the funding status, ongoing activities, collaborations and events.