Martin Bergö, Vice President
I have the privilege of serving as Vice President of Karolinska Institutet since March 1, 2023. In this role, I work closely with President Annika Östman Wernerson to implement Strategy 2030 and develop a strong, attractive, and sustainable academic environment rooted in shared ethics and values. To achieve this, I try to listen to our entire organization and identify and channel its collective ideas and resourcefulness.
Before stepping into this role, I served as Academic Vice President for Research and Chair of the Committee for Research. This experience broadened my perspectives, strengthened my national and international networks, and deepened my appreciation of KI’s strengths, global reach, and adaptability. It also made clear the challenges we must address in the short and long term to maintain and enhance our position as a world-leading medical university.
My academic career began at Umeå University, where I studied chemistry and medicine before earning a PhD in medical biochemistry. Eager to expand my horizons, I moved to the University of California, San Francisco for a five-year postdoctoral fellowship, before establishing my own research group at the Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg in 2004. In 2015, I was recruited to Karolinska Institutet, where I continued my research.
As a professor of molecular medicine, my research focuses on basic science and mechanisms underlying cancer, aging, and inflammatory disorders. Over the years, my group has studied lung cancer, melanoma, leukemia, lymphoma, atherosclerosis, rheumatoid arthritis, and the rare, accelerated aging disorder Hutchinson-Gilford Progeria Syndrome (HGPS). We have been fortunate to be able to perform curiosity-driven research and our most significant discoveries have come from unexpected findings - which to me is the essence of scientific exploration.
Research description
My group investigates the biochemical and medical significance of five key enzymes that posttranslationally modify CAAX proteins, a family that includes KRAS, RAC1, and prelamin A. These proteins play key roles in the pathogenesis of cancer, inflammatory disorders, and accelerated aging syndromes (progeria). Over the past 20 years, we have defined the biochemical role of these five enzymes; studied their impact on disease development; and evaluated their potential as therapeutic targets.
To accomplish this, we use a broad spectrum of molecular, translational, and epidemiological approaches. With support from US, European, and Swedish funding agencies - and through the recognition of various awards - we have had the unique opportunity pursue high-risk, high-reward research - often leading to unanticipated but valuable new insights.
Key discoveries
1. Antioxidants accelerate cancer metastasis
Our research has challenged conventional wisdom by showing that antioxidants, including vitamins A, C and E, can accelerate lung cancer and melanoma metastasis (driven by BRAF and the CAAX-oncoproteins KRAS and NRAS). Through molecular analyses, we identified a previously unknown mechanism that drives metastasis: the transcription factor BACH1 is activated by both dietary and endogenous antioxidants. BACH1, in turn, stimulates aerobic glycolysis and angiogenesis, which fuel cancer cell invasion and metastasis.
These results provide insight into why clinical trials with antioxidants have produced inconsistent results and highlight potential therapeutic strategies to prevent metastasis. They have also sparked important discussions about cancer prevention and dietary recommendations for cancer patients.
2. A new potential therapy for Hutchinson-Gilford Progeria Syndrome
HGPS is caused by a mutation in the CAAX-protein prelamin A (LMNA) which leads to rapid aging, characterized by hair loss, muscle weakness, arthritis, and osteoporosis, and early death from cardiovascular disease. Our team discovered that inhibiting the CAAX-protein methyltransferase ICMT markedly improves disease phenotypes and survival in HGPS mouse models and prevents senescence in patient-derived cells.
Our main challenge for the future is to develop potent and specific ICMT inhibitors that could form the basis for clinical trials.
A final reflection is that throughout my career, I have been fortunate to work in environments and with colleagues who have encouraged curiosity and allowed me to follow where the data leads. I strongly believe that the best science happens at the intersection of disciplines, ideas, and unexpected findings. At Karolinska Institutet, I am committed to foster an environment where our researchers and educators asks bold questions, challenge assumptions, and translate their work into meaningful impact for science, medicine, and society.
Publications
Antioxidants stimulate BACH1-dependent tumor angiogenesis.
Wang T, Dong Y, Huang Z, Zhang G, Zhao Y, Yao H, Hu J, Tüksammel E, Cai H, Liang N, Xu X, Yang X, Schmidt S, Qiao X, Schlisio S, Strömblad S, Qian H, Jiang C, Treuter E, Bergo MO. J Clin Invest. 2023, 133: e169671
ROS-lowering doses of vitamins C and A accelerate malignant melanoma metastasis.
Kashif M, Yao H, Schmidt S, Chen X, Truong M, Tüksammel E, Liu Y, Bergo MO
Redox Biol. 2023, 60: 102619
A small-molecule ICMT inhibitor delays senescence of Hutchinson-Gilford progeria syndrome cells.
Chen X, Yao H, Kashif M, Revêchon G, Eriksson M, Hu J, Wang T, Liu Y, Tüksammel E, Strömblad S, Ahearn IM, Philips MR, Wiel C, Ibrahim MX, Bergo MO
Elife 2021, 10: e63284
Knockout of the RAS endoprotease RCE1 accelerates myeloid leukemia by downregulating GADD45b.
Karlsson C, Akula MK, Staffas A, Cisowski J, Sayin VI, Ibrahim MX, Lindahl P, Bergo MO
Leukemia 2021, 35: 606–609
BACH1 Stabilization by Antioxidants Stimulates Lung Cancer Metastasis.
Wiel C, Le Gal K, Ibrahim MX, Jahangir CA, Kashif M, Yao H, Ziegler DV, Xu X, Ghosh T, Mondal T, Kanduri C, Lindahl P, Sayin VI, Bergo MO
Cell 2019, 178: 330–345
Protein prenylation restrains innate immunity by inhibiting Rac1 effector interactions.
Akula MK, Ibrahim MX, Ivarsson EG, Khan OM, Kumar IT, Erlandsson M, Karlsson C, Xu X, Brisslert M, Brakebusch C, Wang D, Bokarewa M, Sayin VI, Bergo MO
Nat. Commun. 2019, 10: 3975
Antioxidants can increase melanoma metastasis in mice.
Le Gal K, Ibrahim MX, Wiel C, Sayin VI, Akula MK, Karlsson C, Dalin MG, Akyürek LM, Lindahl P, Nilsson J, Bergo MO
Science Transl. Med. 2015, 7: 308re8
Antioxidants accelerate lung cancer progression in mice.
Sayin VI, Ibrahim MX, Larsson E, Nilsson JA, Lindahl P, Bergo MO
Science Transl. Med. 2014, 6: 221ra15
Targeting isoprenylcysteine methylation ameliorates disease in a mouse model of progeria.
Ibrahim MX, Sayin VI, Akula MK, Liu M, Fong LG, Young SG, Bergo MO
Science 2013, 340: 1330-1333
Targeting GGTase-I activates RHOA, increases macrophage reverse cholesterol transport, and reduces atherosclerosis in mice.
Khan OM, Akula MK, Skålen K, Karlsson C, Ståhlman M, Young SG, Borén J, Bergo MO
Circulation 2013, 127: 782–790
Teaching portfolio
My interest in education extends across all levels, from undergraduate and master’s programs, to doctoral training. I began as a student instructor at Umeå University. At the University of Gothenburg, I taught cell biology and served on the Committee for Research Education where I contributed to major reforms in doctoral training and funding - an experience that deepened my understanding of the challenges and opportunities in higher education.
As a professor, I have been the primary supervisor for ten PhD students and >50 master’s students. Beyond academia, I am actively involved in science communication, frequently contributing as a scientific commentator in television, print, and other media outlets. I also deliver lectures, panel discussions, and roundtable talks for patient organizations, healthcare professionals, and the general public, with the goal of bridging the gap between research and real-world implications.
In addition to my university roles, I have spent 12 years as Chairman of the Board for Folkuniversitetet Region Väst, where I been fortunate to be able to actively contribute to lifelong learning, arts education, and adult education. Through this, I have been involved in a wide range of educational initiatives across Sweden, from “folkbildning” and creative arts schools to Swedish for Immigrants (SFI), komvux, vocational training, and adult education programs. This broad engagement has given me a deep appreciation for the transformative power of education, not just in academia but in society at large.
Education
- 2023-2024 SUHF:s Higher academic leadership program (HeLP15)
- 2015 Professor, Karolinska Institutet
- 2010 Professor, University of Gothenburg
- 2005 Docent, University of Gothenburg
- 1998–2004 Postdoc, the University of California, San Francisco (UCSF)
- 1993–1998 PhD in medical biochemistry and biophysics
- 1995–1998 Medical School, Umeå University
- 1992–1993 Dental School, Umeå University
- 1991–1992 Chemistry and biology studies, Umeå University, Sweden
- 1990–1991 Military service (Kustjägare) in the Swedish Marines
Academic honors, awards and prizes
- 2022 Adjunct member of the Nobel Committee
- 2018 The Sjöberg Foundation
- 2018 The Nobel Assembly at Karolinska Institutet (Elected)
- 2014 Project Grant, Knut & Alice Wallenberg Foundation, main applicant
- 2012 Göran Gustafsson’s Prize in Medicine, the Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences
- 2010 Albert Wallin’s Science Prize, the Royal Academy of Science and Arts in Gothenburg
- 2009 Senior Research Fellow, the Swedish Research Council
- 2008 Erik K. Fernströms prize for young scientists in medicine
- 2008 Senior Investigator Award, the Swedish Cancer Society
- 2007 ERC Starting Investigator Grant
- 2006 José Carreras Young Investigator Award, European Hematology Association
- 2005 KVA “Akademiforskare”, the Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences
- 2004 National Institutes of Health (NIH) R21 grant, Principal investigator