Supervisor: Lamberto Torralba-Raga, PhD (lamberto.torralba-raga@medisin.uio.no)
Group Leader: Professor Karl-Johan Malmberg (k.j.malmberg@medisin.uio.no)
Background
Cancer immunotherapy is transforming how we treat tumors by reprogramming a patient’s own immune cells to recognize and destroy malignant cells. Natural Killer (NK) cells, our innate immune defenders, play a unique role as they can detect stressed or abnormal cells, such as cancer, even when these cells try to hide from immune recognition. However, tumor cells often evolve mechanisms to escape NK cell activity.
Project description
This project explores how to genetically engineer NK cells to improve their anti-cancer activity. We will combine CRISPR/Cas9 gene editing to remove genes that inhibit NK cell function with viral transduction, which introduces new genes that equip NK cells with enhanced tumor-targeting capabilities.
The aim is to investigate how specific edits (knockouts or knock-ins) can boost NK cell recognition and cytotoxicity against tumor cells. Ultimately, the project seeks to advance strategies for next-generation NK cell–based cancer immunotherapies.
Methods
Students will gain hands-on experience with key immunology and molecular biology techniques, including:
- Tissue and cell culture – isolation of lymphocytes from blood donors.
- CRISPR/Cas9 gene editing – precise alteration of NK cell DNA.
- Viral transduction – introducing tumor-targeting features into NK cells.
- Flow cytometry – analyzing NK cell activation and tumor-killing efficiency.
About us
The Malmberg Laboratory at Oslo University Hospital is internationally recognized for pioneering research in NK cell biology and cancer immunotherapy. Our team combines expertise in molecular immunology, CRISPR-based genome editing and translational oncology to explore how immune cells can be reprogrammed to fight cancer more effectively.
As part of our group, MSc students join a collaborative and supportive environment that brings together clinicians, researchers, and international partners. We place strong emphasis on mentorship, hands-on training and exposing students to cutting-edge technologies that bridge fundamental science and clinical applications.
References
- Saetersmoen M*, Kotchetkov IS*, Torralba-Raga L*, Mansilla-Soto J, Sohlberg E, Krokeide SZ, et al. Targeting HLA-E-overexpressing cancers with a NKG2A/C switch receptor. Med. 2025;6(2):100521. PMID: 39423821
- Rea A, Santana-Hernandez S, Villanueva J, Sanvicente-Garcia M, Cabo M, Suarez-Olmos J, ... Torralba-Raga L, et al. Enhancing human NK cell antitumor function by knocking out SMAD4 to counteract TGFbeta and activin A suppression. Nat Immunol. 2025;26(4):582-94. PMID: 40119192
- Hammer Q, Perica K, Mbofung RM, van Ooijen H, Martin KE,, et al. Genetic ablation of adhesion ligands mitigates rejection of allogeneic cellular immunotherapies. Cell Stem Cell. 2024 Sep 5;31(9):1376-1386.e8. PMID: 38981470