The Cardiovascular Research (CVR) Group conducts physiological research with a focus on cardiovascular diseases, using intact animals, organs and isolated cells, aiming to understand the molecular mechanisms behind the disease development. The research has a translational aspect, reflected in a long-term collaboration with research groups both locally (Department of Clinical Medicine and the University Hospital of Northern Norway), nationally and internationally. The members of the CRV group are also involved in teaching physiology as part of many courses at the UiT, including the school of medicine, odontology, bachelor and master level in biomedicine, radiography-, nutrition, nursing, physiotherapy, paramedicine, dental hygiene and biomedical laboratory science.
Back, left to right: Astri Jeanette Meen, Liv Tone Eliassen, Trine Lund, Ellen Aasum, Terje Larsen, Ole-Jakob How, Samuel Geiseler, John Martin Ming Fredriksen
Front, left to right: Britt Nanny Fuglesteg, Kirsti Ytrehus, Timofey Kondratyev, Asad Akhtar, Wei Li, Anne Dragøy Hafstad, Anne Catrine Furuheim Bryn, Joanna Konieczny, Neoma Boardman
Štěpán M, Daďová K, Matouš M, Krauzová E, Sontáková L, Koc M, Larsen T, Kuda O, Štich V, Rossmeislová L, Šiklová M.
Exercise Training Combined with Calanus Oil Supplementation Improves the Central Cardiodynamic Function in Older Women. Nutrients. 2021 Dec 29;14(1):149.
Ytrehus K, Ludvigsen S, Mancusi C, Gerdts E, de Simone G.
Heart Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme and Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme 2 Gene Expression Associated With Male Sex and Salt-Sensitive Hypertension in the Dahl Rat.
Perrino C, Ferdinandy P, Bøtker HE, Brundel BJJM, Collins P, Davidson SM, den Ruijter HM, Engel FB, Gerdts E, Girao H, Gyöngyösi M, Hausenloy DJ, Lecour S, Madonna R, Marber M, Murphy E, Pesce M, Regitz-Zagrosek V, Sluijter JPG, Steffens S, Gollmann-Tepeköylü C, Van Laake LW, Van Linthout S, Schulz R, Ytrehus K.
Improving translational research in sex-specific effects of comorbidities and risk factors in ischaemic heart disease and cardioprotection: position paper and recommendations of the ESC Working Group on Cellular Biology of the Heart.
Obesity-induced alterations in the gut microbiome in female mice fed a high-fat diet are antagonized by dietary supplementation with a novel, wax ester-rich, marine oil.
Beretta M, Santos CX, Molenaar C, Hafstad AD, Miller CC, Revazian A, Betteridge K, Schröder K, Streckfuß-Bömeke K, Doroshow JH, Fleck RA, Su TP, Belousov VV, Parsons M, Shah AM.
Nox4 regulates InsP3 receptor-dependent Ca2+ release into mitochondria to promote cell survival.
EMBO J. 2020 Oct 1;39(19):e103530.
doi: 10.15252/embj.2019103530. Epub 2020 Aug 10. PMID: 33001475; PMCID: PMC7527947.
The CRG have students from many of the study programs as bachelor, master and PhDs
PhD-students
PhD-students
Asad Akthar, PhD fellow
I'm Asad, originally from Pakistan, where I earned my veterinary medicine degree. After serving several years as a general practitioner in public veterinary hospitals,
my growing interest in physiology and immunology led me to the Arctic University of Norway. There, I pursued a master’s in Biomedicine, deepening my understanding
of these disciplines. Now, as a Ph.D. stipendiate with the Cardiovascular Research Group at IMB, my research primarily revolves around the cardiotoxic effects associated with breast cancer treatments. I'm particularly focused on the interplay between metabolic adaptation and oxidative stress. My work employs a combination of ex-vivo and in-vivo techniques, such as echocardiography, MRI, and targeted metabolomics. Through rigorous wet-lab experiments, I aim to uncover potential avenues for therapeutic interventions.
In 2022, I had the privilege of receiving a mobility grant, which took me to JBC at Kings College London. This opportunity allowed me to further refine my skills in metabolomics and in-vivo techniques under the guidance of Professor Ajay Shah.
Thank you for exploring our group's endeavors. We remain committed to advancing cardiovascular research.
Nelsy Taboko-Foncha, PhD fellow
Heart failure remains a leading cause of death in Norway and worldwide. Impaired Ca2+ homeostasis, altered cardiac metabolism and mitochondrial dysfunction are hallmarks of the failing heart contributing to contractile dysfunction and a mismatch between energy demand and supply. As mitochondrial function is critically controlled by Ca2+, and is essential for contraction and energy homeostasis. Using a translational approach, aims in this PhD project are to elucidate calcium-induced changes in mitochondrial bioenergetics that include mitochondrial-sarcoplasmic reticulum interaction, mitochondrial cristae morphology and dynamics, in experimental models of heart failure.
Cecilie M. Ness, PhD fellow
High uric acid is an independent risk factor for hypertension, diastolic dysfunction, metabolic and kidney disease. Uric acid is also modifiable through the diet. Aims for this project include to study relationships between diet, metabolic disease, microbiome and uric acid levels.
Fatty liver is a silent manifestation of the metabolic syndrome that affects millions worldwide that is a risk factor for diastolic dysfunction and as such has a high prevalence during heart failure. Aims for this project include to study liver-heart crosstalk during fatty liver, e.g through fibroblast growth factor-21 (FGF21), a highly studied hepatokine released by the liver under stress.
Joanna Konieczny, PhD fellow
She has graduated a bachelor’s degree in Biotechnology (engineering) at University of Agriculture in her hometown, Kraków, and master in Biomedicine at University of Tromsø. Aside from science her passions include nature, skating, pole dancing (the national dance) and all sorts of arts and crafts.
Scientific works:
The hen’s (Gallus domesticus) ovary as a model for carcinogenesis studies.- based on bachelor’s thesis under supervision of Dr Małgorzata Grzesiak- published in Kosmos Tom 66 Nr 2 (2017) PL ISSN 0023-4249
Master’s thesis: Does aging foster transformation to Acute Myeloid Leukaemia? Study of mice cohort bearing haematopoietic malignancy burden, and the effects of ageing on leukaemia progression and on the bone marrow microenvironment.
Updates on Old and Weary Haematopoiesis. Int J Mol Sci. 2018 Aug 29 Konieczny J, Arranz L.
Leukemia Stem Cell Release From the Stem Cell Niche to Treat Acute Myeloid Leukemia. Front Cell Dev Biol. 2020 Jul 9 Villatoro A, Konieczny J, Cuminetti V, Arranz L.
Endogenous IL-1 receptor antagonist restricts healthy and malignant myeloproliferation. Nat Commun. 2023 Jun 30 Villatoro A, Cuminetti V, Bernal A, Torroja C, Cossío I, Benguría A, Ferré M, Konieczny J, Vázquez E, Rubio A, Utnes P, Tello A, You X, Fenton CG, Paulssen RH, Zhang J, Sánchez-Cabo F, Dopazo A, Vik A, Anderssen E, Hidalgo A, Arranz L.
Anne Cathrine Furuheim Bryn, PhD fellow
Anne Cathrine Furuheim Bryn has a medical degree from UiT (2022) and has been a medical research student at the CVR group where she had her thesis defence in 2021 (title: HER2-blockage and anthracycline-induced metabolic remodeling of the heart )
Her PhD-project is titled: Metabolic remodelling in cardiotoxicity following breast-cancer therapy
In the last decades, cancer therapies have made remarkable advances, and the overall survival in breast cancer patients has increased. However, major side effects of new anticancer agents are induction of cardiovascular toxicities, potentially resulting in declining heart performance and eventually heart failure. Although a few studies suggest metabolic reprogramming in the heart following cancer therapy, no studies have assessed this topic and elucidated the metabolic and energetic changes that may occur. The aim of this project is to to correlate imaging of cardiac mitochondria and lipid-droplet phenotypes to mitochondrial function, cardiac substrate utilization and myocardial energetics following treatments with anti-cancer drugs. Also, by exposing cells to anthracyclines and HER2-blockers, we wish to carefully elucidate the LD dynamics, mitochondrial function and fitness and the consequence on cardiac sterile inflammation.
MSc student in Biomedicine Kjersti Margareta Lundqvist Foto: Ukjent
I am Kjersti and I come from Ås, a city close to Oslo. I moved to beautiful Tromsø to take my bachelor's degree in Biomedicine at the UiT. The thesis was written with the Cardiovascular Research Group at IMB. Continuing my master's in Biomedicine, I will write my thesis for the same research group in collaboration with the RNA and Molecular Pathology Research Group (RAMP). My work this year will be to look at samples and organs from mice that had a lupus-like disease and try to elucidate how systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) and lupus nephritis affect the heart. Among other methods, I will look at mitochondrial function and mRNA expression. The prevalence of SLE is a lot higher for females than for men, and patients have a higher risk of cardiovascular disease.
Markus Strige Hardy
My name is Markus and my master thesis project focuses on investigating the role of lactate signaling in the heart via the HCAR1 receptor, particularly its short-term effects on cardiac function. Using an isolated heart setup with the Langendorff system, I will examine how HCAR1 activation influences coronary perfusion, cardiac output, and metabolic efficiency. This study aims to elucidate how lactate, beyond being a metabolic byproduct, acts as a signaling molecule in the heart.
HEL-0700 Samhandling, etikk og grunnleggende akademiske ferdigheter i helse- og sosialfag
Bachelor in Biomedicine
MBI-1000 Biomedisin i det 21. århundre
Master in Biomedicine
MBI-3012 Advanced methods in experimental biomedicine
MBI-3016 Human physiology
Bachelor in laboratory science
MBI-1104 Fysiologi, anatomi og histologi
Bachelor in Nutrition
ERN-1000 Ernæring, individ og samfunn
ERN-2009 Humanfysiologi
Bachelor in physiotherapy
FYT-1110 Fysiologisk grunnlag for bevegelse og funksjon
Bachelor in Paramedicine
PAR-1110 Anatomi, fysiologi og biokjemi
Bachelor in Radiography
RAD-1120 Anatomi og fysiologi
Bachelor nursing
SYP-1110 Anatomi, fysiologi og biokjemi (anatomi (med kobling til fysiologi)
SYD-1110 Anatomi, fysiologi og biokjemi (anatomi (med kobling til fysiologi)
Bachelor in dental hygiene
TPL-1004 Biomedisinske basalfag
Medicine
MED-1501 Medisin 1st year
MED-2501 Medisin 2nd year
MED-2510 Medisin 3rd year
MED-2520 Medisin 4th year
MED-2521 Medisin 4th year
Odontology
ODO-2008 Biomedisin 1 og viten
ODO-2009 Biomedisin 2
Master’s degree in Midwifery
JMO-3001 Grunnleggende jordmorfag
Alumni
PhD Alumni
PhD Alumni
Pauke C. Schots, June 2023
Calanus oil and its constituents as a therapeutic approach to target obesity-induced metabolic distortions
Supervisors: Ragnar L. Olsen, Terje S. Larsen, Karl-Erik Eilertsen, Ellen Aasum
Synne Simonsen Hansen, March 2022
Myocardial metabolic, structural and functional remodelling following nutritional and hormonal stress
Supervisors: Anne D. Hafstad, Ellen Aasum
Kirsten Maria Jansen, June 2021
Modulation of Cardiometabolic Health by Dietary Supplementation with Calanus oil
Supervisors: Anne D. Hafstad, Ellen Aasum
Tina Myhre Pedersen, July 2019
Cardiac remodelling in obesity- and angiotensin IImediated heart failure Morphological, functional and metabolic alterations
Supervisors: Ellen Aasum, Anne D. Hafstad, Neoma T. Boardman
Jens PetterBakkehaug, May 2016
Novel inotropic strategies for treating acute heart failure: A large animal study on cardiac function and energetics
Supervisors: Ole-Jakob How, Truls Myrmel
Anders Benjamin Kildal, October 2015
Acute heart failure – exploring pathophysiology, monitoring tools and drug treatment in experimental animal models
Supervisors: Ole-Jakob How, Truls Myrmel
Jim Lund, May 2015
Improving cardiac efficiency in type 2 diabetes : exercise training and nitrates reduce myocardial oxygen wastage - experimental studies in mice
Supervisors: Ellen Aasum, Anne D. Hafstad, Terje Larsen
Wahida Salma, Mars 2015
Anti-Obesity and Anti-Hypertensive Action of Calanus Oil
Supervisors: Terje Larsen, Ellen Aasum, Anne D. Hafstad
Anje Christina Höper, February 2014
Calanus oil and its lipid constituents - Impact on obesity and obesity-related metabolic disorders in rodents
Supervisors: Terje Larsen, Ellen Aasum
Sven Weum, April 2013
Imaging in plastic surgery. A clinical and experimental study with notes on the history of medical imaging
Supervisors: James B. Mercer
David Johansen, May 2012
Cardioprotection Focus on Gap Junctions, Hemichannels and Mitochondria
Supervisors: Kirsti Ytrehus, Rune Sundset
Mohammad Belal Aljabri, May 2011
Angiotensin II and heart remodelling - role of ischemia, gender and pregnancy
Supervisors: Kirsti Ytrehus, Trine Lund
Neoma Tove Boardman, May 2011
Cardiometabolic adaptations to altered fuel supply, Ca2+ handling and exercise
Supervisors: Ellen Aasum, Terje Larsen
Louis De Weerd, June 2010
Free perforator flap surgery and dynamic infrared thermography: a clinical and experimental study
Supervisors: James B. Mercer
Ahmed Murtaz Khalid,January 2009
Treatment of obesity and type 2 diabetes with PPARα agonists – effects on myocardial metabolism, gene expression and ventricular function
Supervisors: Terje Larsen, Ellen Aasum
Britt Nanny Fuglesteg, October 2008
Reducing Infarct Size by Ischemic Preconditioning versus Insulin Treatment in the Heart Same outcome - similar mechanisms?
Supervisors: Kirsti Ytrehus, Ole D. Mjøs
Åshild Odden Miland, Mars 2008
Dynamic infrared thermography in the assessment of skin perfusion : a clinical and experimental study
Supervisors: James B. Mercer
Anne Katharina Dragøy Hafstad, June 2007
Metabolic modulation of the diabetic heart – Its impact on cardiac efficiency and ischemic tolerance
Supervisors: Ellen Aasum, Terje Larsen
Timofei V. Kondratiev, November 2006
Hypothermia-induced myocardial dysfunction. An in vivo experimental study with special reference to effects of epinephrine applied for posthypothermic cardiovascular resuscitation
Supervisors: Torkjel Tveita
Ole-Jacob How, March 2006
Oxygen wastage in the diabetic heart. Ventricular energetics in the isolated mouse heart using PVA-MVO2 technology
Cardiac cells are protected from lipotoxicity by Calanus oil- derived fatty acids
Supervisor: Ellen Aasum, co-supervisor: Wei Li
John Martin Ming Fredriksen, MSc Clinical Nutrition, May 2024
An Investigation into the Effects of Chronic High Fructose Consumption on Liver Histology, Triglyceride Content and Gene Expression in Male Sprague-Dawley Rats
Supervisor: Neoma T. Boardman, co-supervisor: Astri Jeanette Meen
2021
Cathrine Furuheim Bryn, MSc Medicine, June 2021
Metabolic, morphologic and translational alterations during differentiation of the H9c2 cardiomyoblast cell line
Supervisor: Anne D. Hafstad, Trine Lund
Ramin Sepehrara, MSc Biomedicine, May 2021
High palmitate alters glutathione redox during severe oxidant stress in the heart: an evaluation of altered glutathione redox environment on cardiac function and mitochondrial energetics
Supervisor: Neoma T. Boardman, co-supervisors: Ellen Aasum, Anne D. Hafstad