Broegelmann Research Laboratory (BRL)

The researchers at the Broegelmann Research Laboratory have a common interest in translational research on chronic inflammatory and autoimmune diseases. The research performed spans from molecular and genetic studies, cellular studies and experimental models as well as studies on clinically well-characterized patient samples. The mutual ambition is to understand the molecular mechanisms active in different inflammatory diseases and their subgroups, their underlying risk factors and triggers. This paves the way for better, personalized treatment and ultimately to prevention of disease.

BRL — Photo: Richard Davies, Marta Kaminska, Aina van der Meeren

Affiliation

About the research centre

The Broegelmann Research Laboratory (BRL) is lead by Professor Helena Erlandsson Harris, the Broegelmann chair of translation immunology and head of the Immunology and Rheumatology group. BRL is multinational research environment with group leaders originating throughout Europe and lab members throughout the world.

The Broegelmann Research Laboratory is co-localized and integrated with the Department of Clinical Science (Klinisk Institutt 2). Internationally the unit is one of the leading groups on experimental, clinical and genetic studies of Sjögren's syndrome. Broegelmann Research Laboratory is closely associated with the Scandinavian Journal of Immunology.

We collaborate closely with clinicians and scientists at Haukeland hospital, within Norway, across Scandinavia and worldwide. We additionally support the development and training of junior researchers in offering ECTS accredited courses and workshops through the Bergen Research School in Inflammation (BRSI).

The Broegelmann Foundation and other sources of funding

The core financial support for BRL is generously provided by the Broegelmann Foundation, with the fund managed by the Broegelmann Research Board, with our research is made possible through the legacy of merchant Johan Henrik Broegelmann.

JH Brogelmann had inherited a successful fabrics and finer ladies’ clothing business from his father, Johan Petter Broegelmann. In his will, JH Broegelmann expressed his wish that his assets should form the basis for a foundation that in the name of his father should support humanitarian projects. He appointed his long-term co-worker Ingeborg Berg Nielsen as executer of his will. Ingeborg Berg Nielsen established the Merchant JP Broegelmann foundation with the purpose of supporting research on unexplored diseases performed at the University of Bergen; for example, rheumatism, polio or cancer. Ingeborg Berg Nielsen further bequeathed her own assets to the foundation.

Thus, in 1957 the Broegelmann Research Laboratory could be inaugurated and has since then contributed the research field of immunology, including rheumatic diseases such as arthritis and Sjögren’s syndrome. Even today, 65 years later, the support of the foundation with the fund managed by the The Broegelmann Research Board (see below), forms the basis for immunology research at the University of Bergen.

Broegelmann Research board — Photo: Richard Davies

Other current major grants are listed below

2019 to 2015: Piotr Mydel has been granted NFR project Bedrehelse (NIH-project), NOK 6,462,000.
2021 to 2026: Yenan Bryceson was granted research project from the Norwegian Research Council, NOK 12,000,000.
2021 to 2027: Marie Wahren-Herlenius granted research project from the Norwegian Research Council, NOK 10,000,000.
2023 to 2025: Helena Erlandsson Harris granted research project from The Norwegian Rheumatism Association, NOK 300,000.
2019 to 2025: Roland Jonsson: The European Commission Horizon 2020 contract NECESSITY (IMI2-JU/EU/H2020 nr. 806975) “New Clinical Endpoints in primary Sjögren’s Syndrome: an Interventional Trial based on stratifying patients”

Research groups

Appel group

The group focuses on 3 fields of research- Stratification of patients with Sjögren’s disease, novel natural compounds to treat COVID-19 and cellular composition of intestines of IBS patients.

Click here for more information on the Appel group.

Bryceson group

Molecular regulation of cytotoxic lymphocyte function in the context of inflammatory disease as well as cancer. The group is working to decipher the molecular regulation of cytotoxic lymphocyte differentiation and function in blood and tissues using cutting-edge single cell techniques, including advanced flow cytometry and sorting combined with high-throughput sequencing. A particular focus is on how specific transcription factors can be harnessed to manipulate NK cell differentiation and potentiate function for improved immunotherapy of cancer.

Click here for more information on the group.

Harris group

Translational studies on the immunopathogenesis of juvenile idiopathic arthritis and the role of the alarmin HMGB1 in inflammation. Their projects are focused on expanding the molecular knowledge of the immune mechanisms active in JIA as a basis for biomarker and therapy development.And how HMGB1 contributes to inflammation, pain and destruction in inflammatory disease.

Click here for more information on the group.

Mydel group

Mounting evidence suggests a causative link between periodontitis and rheumatoid arthritis (RA), as well as periodontitis and cardiovascular disease.

The group focuses on further elucidating the role of periodontitis in rheumatoid arthritis, cardiovascular disease, and Alzheimer's disease.

Click here for more information on the group.

Wahren-Herlenious group

Molecular basis for sex-bias in autoimmunity- The majority of autoimmune diseases are more common in women than in men, but the molecular basis for this sex-bias remains poorly understood. The Wahren-Herlenious group projects focus on understanding why women suffer from rheumatic disease much more often than men.

Click here for more information about about the group.