Institute for Cancer Research

Kjetil Taskén
Institute head

Institute for Cancer Research has since its foundation in 1954 played a central role within the field of cancer research both in Norway and internationally. The Institute has seven research departments and more than 380 employees. About 70% of the employees and projects are externally funded. Read more

See introductory video with welcome to the ICR 

See full video covering all of ICR and its Departments 

Publication overview

Annual reports

Current news and events

Opinion article in Trends in Cell Biology: Plasma membranes: does one model fit all?

Skotland and Sandvig
Skotland and Sandvig

In a newly published opinion article in Trends in Cell Biology, Tore Skotland and Kirsten Sandvig in CanCell and the Department of Molecular Cell Biology at the Institute for Cancer Research, discuss the assumptions made to reach the new membrane model.
They conclude that more studies are needed to verify whether the model is true for red blood cells. Moreover, they discuss the large difference in the lipid composition of red blood cells and the plasma membrane of other cells, making it unlikely that one membrane model fits all cell types.

Link collection - current news:News stories involving OUS researchers

Recommended sites for current OUS research news:

From Oslo University Hospital, in Norwegian:
OUS Innsikt – ny forskning, innovasjon og behandling - channel for science communication
More news from OUS (oslo-universitetssykehus.no)

From centres of excellence (UiO/OUS):
CanCell - Centre for Cancer Cell Reprogramming 
Cresco - Centre for Embryology and Healthy Development 
PRIMA - Precision Immunotherapy Alliance - Norwegian version
Hybrid Technology Hub - Centre for Organ on a Chip-Technology

 

Launch of the De-escalation Study Network:Why Cancer Care Needs More High‑Quality De-escalation Research

There is a strong need for more high‑quality de-escalation studies in cancer to enable more personalized treatment and improve patients’ quality of life.
Kristin Austlid Taskén, at the Institute for Cancer Research, and Ieva Ailte at the European Cancer Collaboration Unit at OUS are coordinating and leading the Task for Cancer Research in Work Package 8 of the Joint Action European Network of Comprehensive Cancer Centres (JA EUnetCCC, 2024–2028). 

A podcast episode about the subject has recently (March 25th) been recorded, available from the Radforsk platform Radium at Spotify.

Announcement from the UiO Growth House:Innovation hangout for academia and industry - April 9th, 5-8 PM

Welcome to this meeting place where we want to inspire researchers and students, give them self-confidence and knowledge about the innovation process, help them build networks, and facilitate collaboration between academia and industry. This hangout is a collaboration between the UiO Growth House, Norway Health Tech and Health2B.

Time and place: Apr. 9, 2026 5:00 PM – 8:00 PM
Oslo Science Park, Forum auditorium

Complete information and registration form (med.uio.no)

The 2025 Annual Report from Institute for Cancer Research is now available

The Institute for Cancer Research at Oslo University Hospital has published its Annual Report for 2025. In addition to key figures and highlights from our cutting-edge research, the report provides an overview of recruitment, training and career development, translation and innovation, dissemination, public outreach, and national and international collaboration.

Research groups at the Institute are key partners in more than 25 clinical trials and lead over 120 translation and innovation projects, many in close collaboration with industry partners. Our 376 employees across six research departments, 28 research groups, 26 project groups, and seven core facility units together form a dynamic environment and a fully integrated cancer research organisation. 

Nature Cell Biology publication:Scientists Use AI to Map How Nearly Every Yeast Gene Controls Cellular Recycling

Main autors: Nathalia Chica, Aram N. Andersen and Jorrit Enserink.
Main autors: Nathalia Chica, Aram N. Andersen and Jorrit Enserink.

Researchers at Oslo University Hospital and the University of Oslo have created the most detailed map so far of how the genome regulates autophagy, the process cells use to break down and recycle their own components. The findings are published in the journal Nature Cell Biology. Nathalia Chica and Aram N. Andersen are shared first authors, while Jorrit Enserink, leader of the Cancer Molecular Medicine group at the Institute for Cancer Research, is senior author.
By combining high-content fluorescence microscopy with deep learning, the team analyzed 5,919 yeast gene mutants, covering about 90 percent of the yeast genome. The researchers tracked how autophagy changed over time as cells moved through periods of nutrient starvation and recovery.