Research Teams and Programs

Across the different core programs, several areas of research and specific projects have been initiated at CCBIO, focusing on mechanisms of tumor-microenvironment interactions and tumor progression, discovery and validation of tumor biomarkers, and clinical studies.

9 scientists standing in a laboratory, posing for the camera.
A historic photo: CCBIO's first principal investigators, from the start in 2013. From the left: Bjørn Tore Gjertsen, James B. Lorens, Karl H. Kalland, Anne Chr. Johannessen, Lars A. Akslen, Rolf K. Reed, Helga B. Salvesen†, Oddbjørn Straume, Donald Gullberg. Photo: Tove Lise Mossestad

CCBIO has 4 research teams and programs

A short history run-through:

From the opening in 2013, CCBIO was organized in three scientific programs: preclinical models, biomarkers, and clinical studies. CCBIO had nine founding PIs: Lars A. Akslen, Bjørn Tore Gjertsen, Donald Gullberg, Anne Christine Johannessen (until 2017), Karl-Henning Kalland, James Lorens, Rolf Reed (until 2018), Helga Salvesen† (until 2016), and Oddbjørn Straume. Roger Strand (ELSA studies), Inge Jonassen (bioinformatics), and Oddvar Kaarbøe (health economics, until 2017) were included as associate investigators from 2013. John Cairns (London and UiB) was also recruited as associate investigator (health economics, since 2014).

For the second part of CCBIO (2018–2024), the organization was slightly modified to better reflect the ongoing research activities. We now have four teams and corresponding project areas: basic studies of tumor-microenvironment interactions (Team 1), discovery and validation of cancer biomarkers in human tissues (Team 2), clinical studies and early trials (Team 3), and societal studies with projects on ethics, economics, philosophy, and priorities (Team 4). Additional investigators were recruited as PIs or associate PIs: Line Bjørge (since 2016), Daniela Costea (since 2016), Camilla Krakstad (since 2016), Emmet Mc Cormack (since 2016), Ole Frithjof Norheim (since 2016), Elisabeth Wik (since 2016), Carina Strell (since 2022) and Agnete Engelsen (since 2022).

Lars A. Akslen has been the director of CCBIO since the center was established. The following have been codirectors: Helga Salvesen† (2013–2016), Bjørn Tore Gjertsen (2016–2022), and Line Bjørge (since 2022).

The four research programs are cross-linked and strengthened with resources in bioinformatics and processing of big data. Increased connectivity and collaboration within CCBIO have taken place over the years. The center was through the Centre of Excellence period, supported by an International Faculty of 14 top scientists in different fields, promoting widespread international collaboration and networking. 

As of 2025, we maintain the Centre of Excellence build-up, although with a slightly slimmed organization and activity span:

Team 1: Mechanisms of Tumor-Microenvironment Interactions

An artistic group photo: 3 people placed in a futuristic room.
Photo: CCBIO, Thor Brødreskift/Gaute Hatlem

This program aims to examine how tumor cells interact with the surrounding tumor microenvironment with different cell types such as immune cells, fibroblasts, vascular cells, nerve cells, and stem cells embedded in the complex extracellular matrix. This team consists of the PIs Gullberg, Kalland, and Mc Cormack.

Team 2: Discovery and Validation of Cancer Biomarkers

An artistic group photo: 7 people placed in a futuristic room.
Photo: CCBIO, Thor Brødreskift/Gaute Hatlem

This program aims to explore and validate different classes of biomarkers in tissues and blood samples from human patient cohorts and clinical trials. The investigators take advantage of the recently established technology of single-cell analytics by mass cytometry (flow and imaging-based), using panels of multiple antibodies for high-dimensional mapping of cell subpopulations and tissue niches in parallel with functional interrogation. The studies examine associations with clinico-pathologic phenotypes as well as prognostic and predictive signals. This team consists of the PIs Akslen (CCBIO director), Costea, Engelsen, Krakstad, Lorens, Strell, and Wik.

 

Team 3: Clinical Applications and Early Trials

An artistic group photo: 3 people placed in a futuristic room.
Photo: CCBIO, Thor Brødreskift/Gaute Hatlem

This program aims to conduct clinical trials in conjunction with biomarker studies and to disseminate novel findings on markers and treatment targets for clinical implementation and practice change through updated guidelines. This team consists of the PIs Bjørge (CCBIO co-director from November 16, 2022), Gjertsen (CCBIO co-director until November 16, 2022), and Straume.

Team 4: Health Ethics, Economics, and Priorities

An artistic portrait photo of Roger Strand, placed in a futuristic room.
Photo: CCBIO, Thor Brødreskift/Gaute Hatlem

The aim of this program is to perform studies on the ethics, economics, philosophy and priority challenges in the biomarker field, to contribute to improved education of CCBIO scientists in this dimension of their work including increased self-reflection, and ultimately to influence the public debate and policy making in the expanding area of biomarkers and precision treatment. 

 

Last updated: 18.08.2025