CanCell
CanCell PIs - from left: Tor Erik Rusten, Jorrit Enserink, Jørgen Wesche, Anne Simonsen, Harald Stenmark, Ragnhild Eskeland
Centre for Cancer Cell Reprogramming was established in December 2017 as a Centre of Excellence appointed by the Research Council of Norway with the University of Oslo as host institution. It resides at two different locations: Institute for Cancer research at Norwegian Radium Hospital (ICR) and Institute for Basic Medical Sciences (IMB) at Domus Medica, University of Oslo. The 6 km distance is covered by a regular shuttle bus service. A consortium agreement regulates cooperation between the University of Oslo and Oslo University Hospital with the intention to make conditions favorable for fulfilling the scientific aims and strategic plans of CanCell.
Research Groups
CanCell is formed by 6 principal investigators (PIs): Harald Stenmark (director), Anne Simonsen (co-director), Jorrit Enserink, Tor Erik Rusten, Jørgen Wesche and Ragnhild Eskeland – all specialists in molecular cell biology. The PIs have weekly meetings to discuss all issues related to the Centre. Furthermore, seven independent groups or research teams are associated with CanCell in 2022. These are the groups of Emmet McCormack (UiB – physiologist/animal models), Arnoldo Frigessi (UiO – biostatistician), Terje Johansen (UiT – molecular biologist), Eivind Hovig (UiO – informatician), Åslaug Helland (UiO – oncologist), Phillippe Collas (UiO – cell biologist), and Tuula Nyman (UiO – mass spectrometrist). Yngvar Fløisand (hematologist) is also associated with the centre.
Management
CanCell is managed by the six CanCell PIs, who, together with administrative coordinator Anders Øverbye, act as the executive board for CanCell. The Centre management reports to the CanCell Board. In 2022, the Board consists of Dag Kvale, the Head of Institute of Clinical Medicine, University of Oslo (official host institute of CanCell), the Head of Department of Biosciences Arne Klungland, University of Oslo, the Head of Institute for Basic Medical Sciences, Lene Frost-Andersen and the Research Director of the Division of Cancer Medicine, Oslo University Hospital, Åslaug Helland. Board membership is ex officio.
Support staff
CanCell also relies on the support of administrative and technical staff at both locations. The technical staff are invaluable to ensure functions and safety in the laboratories. The administration takes care of procurement, budgets, HR-functions and communications. Pooja Kumari has responsibility for internal and external communication, whereas Abdushakoor Khan and Lady Nina Karlsrud are the executive administrative officers.
EQUALITY FORUM
The centre harbours an Equality forum which addresses critical issues regarding equality in all aspects of social and professional life: ethnicity, gender, culture amongst others.
In 2020 we were the first CoE in Norway to conduct a survey about any potential inequalities, work load and the impact of the pandemic on CanCell to set the groundwork for further improvement. We engage in different activities to create awareness and promote a good working environment in our centre. We reach out to different bodies/projects at the University of Oslo for potential collaborations. Among other activities, the forum organizes a potluck dinner every year where participants bring food from their country of origin to share with everyone to celebrate diversity.
CANCELL YOUNG SCIENTISTS (CYS)
The centre established a forum for young scientist in its first year to empower them take ownership of events and initiatives that they would like to have access to.
In 2022, they organized a well-attended mental health workshop, which has lead to a survey at the centre to assess the overall mental health situation. The results will be used to implement specific action points during the coming year to help safeguard mental health of CanCell’s members.
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ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
We wish to thank several external sources for the funding received to support CanCell in 2022
Photos
Ine Eriksen
Pooja Kumari
Figures were made with Biorender
Cover Photo
Laura Rodriguez de la Ballina
Benan John Mathai
Cover Design
Alicia Isabel Alfonso Gomez