About the research group

For over 25 years, the Endocrine Medicine Research Group at the University of Bergen has been dedicated to understanding diseases related to the hormonal system.

Led by Professor Eystein Husebye, the group consists of researchers from diverse academic backgrounds – clinicians, endocrinologists, molecular biologists, cell biologists, bioinformaticians, pharmacists, and geneticists. This creates a strong interdisciplinary environment that combines experimental research with clinical studies and epidemiological analyses.

Our research spans from genetic mechanisms and mouse models to patient-centered studies and population data. The goal is to develop improved methods for diagnosing and treating endocrine diseases.

The group is based in modern laboratories on the 8th floor of the Laboratory Building at Haukeland University Hospital, with access to clinical facilities in both the medical and surgical departments.

Education

Education is a key part of our mission. Many students have completed both master’s and doctoral degrees within the group, and we place great emphasis on mentoring and developing new research talent.

Endocrine Medicine Research group
Photo: Geir Arne Sunde, Helse Bergen HF

Research

The research of the Endocrine Medicine group is patient-oriented, with active use of data and samples from national patient registries and biobanks. Technologies include advanced genetic analyses and single-cell methods such as 10x single-cell sequencing, flow cytometry, CyTOF, and tissue cytometry using Hyperion.

Our research focuses on understanding and improving care for endocrine autoimmune diseases and related hormonal disorders. From uncovering the earliest signs of autoimmunity to mapping genetic risk factors and immune mechanisms in Addison’s disease, we aim to clarify why these conditions develop and how they can be better treated. Projects span a wide range of topics, including autoimmune polyendocrine syndrome type 1 (APS-1), thyroid autoimmunity, premature ovarian failure, and primary hypoaldosteronism. We also investigate hormonal regulation, ultradian rhythms, and metabolic consequences of autonomous cortisol secretion. Through registry-based studies, clinical trials like the Cortad drug study, and innovative approaches to personalized therapy, our goal is to improve diagnosis, treatment, and long-term outcomes for patients worldwide.

Research activities are organized into four thematic nodes, each led by experts in the field. Individual projects are presented below.

  • Pathogenesis of Endocrine Autoimmunity
    Led by Professor Anette Wolff and Researcher Bergithe Oftedal
  • Clinical Studies of Endocrine Autoimmunity
    Led by Associate Professor Marianne Øksnes
  • Adrenal Tumors
    Led by Postdoctoral Fellow Grethe Ueland and Dr. Marianne Grytaas
  • Endocrine Surgery
    (Also part of the research group for endocrine neck surgery)
    Led by Professor Kerstin Lorenz and Associate Professor Katrin Brauckhoff

We also offer various autoantibody analyses related to endocrine autoimmunity and are world leaders in dynamic multiplex profiling of steroid hormones.

Registries and Research centres

The group has led the KG Jebsen Center for Autoimmune Diseases and manages the National Quality Registry for Autoimmune Diseases (ROAS) (external link). Registries for adrenal tumors and primary hyperaldosteronism have also been established.

In addition, the group coordinates EndoTrain, a Horizon Europe Doctoral Training Network focused on digital endocrinology, and hosts the DRIV center for early ovarian insufficiency and autoimmune diseases, a leading research hub dedicated to understanding and innovating treatment for autoimmune fertility disease.

Collaboration

Endocrine Medicine maintains extensive collaborations at the local, national, and international levels. We have built a comprehensive national network on adrenal diseases, with representatives from all Norwegian health trusts.

Our international partnerships are particularly strong, notably with:

  • Karolinska Institutet (Sweden)
  • Weizmann Institute of Science (Israel)
  • University of Oxford (United Kingdom)

These collaborations have led to several high-profile publications, including:

  • Nature (2023)
  • Nature Communications (2021)
  • Nature Immunology (2016)
  • Immunity (2015)

Through Professor Husebye, the group has coordinated two major EU-funded projects:

  • FP7-EurAdrenal
  • H2020-Ultradian

Our international standing is further exemplified by invited review articles in:

  • New England Journal of Medicine (2018)
  • The Lancet (2021)

Alumni

Graduated PhD-students

2025 Haydee Alvarez Artaza (external link)- "Copy Number Variation Analyses in Autoimmune Addison’s Disease and Diabetes"

2024 Marianne Astor - "Hypoparathyroidism in Norway"

2024 Obaidur Rahman - "Autoimmune primary adrenal insufficiency – autoantibodies and cell regeneration".

2023 Åse Bjorvatn Sævik - "Clues to Diagnosis and Clinical Outcomes in Autoimmune Addison’s Disease".

2023 Thea Sjøgren - "Immune regulatory mechanisms in endocrine autoimmune disorders"

2023 Elinor Chelsom Vogt - "Epidemiology and etiology of primary ovarian insuffciency"

2020 Sigrid Aslaksen - "Functional characterization of genetic risk factors in autoimmune Addison’s disease"

2019 Grethe Ueland - “Improved diagnostic workup of hyper- and hypocortisolism”

2019 Øyvind Bruserud (external link) - "Exploring and redefining Autoimmune polyendocrine syndrome type 1".

2018 Marianne Grytaas - «Primary aldosteronism in Western Norway – studies of diagnostic approach and treatment outcome»

2016 Alexander Hellesen - "Immuno-endocrine interactions in autoimmune Addison’s disease"

2015 Ingeborg Brønstad - «Genetics of autoimmune Addison’s disease and congenital adrenal hyperplasia».

2015 Kine Susann Edvardsen -  ”Autoimmunity and viral immunity in Addison’s disease”.

2014 Paal Methlie - "New corticosteroid assays and their applications in adrenal insufficiency and obesity".

2014 Marianne Øksnes - «Glucocorticoid Treatment and Quality of Life in Addison’s disease»

2013 Ingrid Nermoen (external link) - Congenital Adrenal Hyperplasia in Adults: Epidemiological, Genetic, Clinical and Endocrine Features of CYP21A2 Deficiency in Norway.

2012 Bergithe Oftedal (external link) - “Autoimmune polyendocrine syndrome type I –novel diagnostic assays and immune regulation”.

2010 Martina Erichsen (external link) - "Addison’s disease in Norway"

2010 Ng’weina Francis Magitta (external link) - ”Molekylærgenetiske og immunologiske aspekter av autoimmun Addisons sykdom og autoimmunt polyendokrint syndrom type I”.

2009 Eirik Bratland (external link) - ”Cellular immunity in autoimmune Addison’s disease – T cell responses to steroid cytochrome P450 21-hydroxylase”.

2005 Anette Wolff (external link) - "Immunological perspectives of autoimmune polyendocrine syndromes and cancer"

2004 Anne Grethe Myhre (external link) - "Studies of autoimmune adrenocortical failure and polyendocrine syndromes"

2003 Kristian Løvaas (external link) - “Epidemiological and clinical perspectives on Addison’s disease”

Graduated master students

2023 MSc Mathias Lundberg

2023 MSc Dorsa Iraji

2022 MSc Emina Majcic

2022 MSc Abtin Tari

2022 MSc Adrianna Jebrzycka

2022 MSc Ifunanya Nwakwuo

2020 MSc Solveig Henriette Einevoll

2020 MSc Thea Sjøgren

2019 MSc Marte Heimli

2019 MSc Amund Berger

2013 MSc Sepideh Mustafavi

2012 MSc Anja Kjellesvik-Kristiansen

2010 MSc André Madsen

2010 MSc Alexander Hellesen

2010 MSc Ragnhild Stenberg Berg

2008 MSc Martha Schei Hynne

People

Group manager
Group members
Postdoctors
PhD-students
Technichians and administrative staff