20 Years of Collaboration with TMF: Mohn Research Centre for Regenerative Medicine Advances Future Treatments

The Trond Mohn Foundation (TMF) was established in 2004. Over the past 20 years, the foundation has made significant contributions to the research environments at Haukeland University Hospital and the University of Bergen, supporting their long-term efforts to promote research and expertise at a high international level.

Published 12/11/2024

Written by: Helena Heimstad

Development of advanced cell-based therapies

Bergen is now at the forefront of an innovative initiative in regenerative medicine with the establishment of the Mohn Research Centre for Regenerative Medicine (MRCRM). Funded by the Trond Mohn Foundation with NOK 30 million, the research center aims to develop advanced cell-based therapies to repair or replace damaged cells and tissues.

The initiative represents a strategic collaboration between Helse Bergen and the Faculty of Medicine at the University of Bergen, with a total funding of NOK 90 million over a five-year period (2021–2026). One of Helse Bergen’s key contributions is the establishment of a state-of-the-art cleanroom facility at Haukeland University Hospital, the Ex-vivo Facility, which adheres to strict Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP) standards.

Kimberley Joanne Hatfield, Section Leader for Cell-Based Medicines (CMP) and Quality Assurance (QA) Manager at the Ex-vivo Facility, leads efforts at this cleanroom laboratory for the production and development of cell products for patient treatments. The laboratory works closely with MRCRM to develop new cell therapy treatments aimed at repairing or replacing tissue and cells damaged by disease or injury. These treatments include regenerating necrotic bone tissue, replacing dead cells in the eye, and reconstructing tissue damaged by burns.

A Powerhouse for Regenerative Medicine

MRCRM aspires to be a unifying hub for researchers in regenerative medicine in Bergen. By fostering basic research and strengthening the transition to clinical practice, the center aims to ensure that new treatment methods become accessible to patients.

With support from the Trond Mohn Foundation, the research center will help position Bergen as a leading player in regenerative medicine.

– We aim to create an environment where groundbreaking research can be developed and translated into clinical practice, improving patients' quality of life, states the center’s leadership.

A group of people posing for a photo — From left: Elise Aasebø (PhD, Coordinator), Kamal Mustafa, Einar Klæboe Kristoffersen, Cecilie Gudveig Gjerde, Salwa Suliman.

MRCRM is set to drive research that could revolutionize the treatment of severe medical conditions. Through four ambitious projects ranging from stem cell-based wound healing to genetically tailored psychosis therapy, the researchers aim to develop innovative treatments that enhance patients' quality of life.

Advanced Cell and Gene Therapy: Harnessing manipulated or genetically modified cells for therapeutic purposes.

Tissue Engineering: Repairing and regenerating damaged tissues.

Clinical Trials with ATMPs: Advancing from development to approval of advanced therapy medicinal products (ATMPs) as novel treatment modalities.

Groundbreaking Project in Gene Editing and Cell Therapy

Chief Physician at the Department of Immunology and Transfusion Medicine at Haukeland University Hospital, Einar K. Kristoffersen, serves as the center leader at MRCRM. He also heads a project where researchers in Bergen and Oslo collaborate to develop standardized protocols for gene editing and cell therapy. The project employs advanced tools such as CRISPR/Cas9 and viral vectors to treat both cancer and hereditary diseases.

– This project aims to establish a foundation for national expertise in advanced cell and gene therapy, says Kristoffersen.

Portrait of Einar Kristoffersen — Einar K. Kristoffersen, Head of the MRCRM.

The first clinical trial will utilize gene-edited T-cells to treat acute leukemia, based on a novel T-cell receptor that recognizes specific cancer mutations. Long-term goals include precision medicine for genetic diseases and advancements in CAR-T therapy.

In the second part of the project, researchers will use CRISPR/Cas9 technology to develop protocols for correcting disease-causing mutations in mesenchymal stem cells. The technology will also optimize gene modification of T-cells for therapeutic CARs (chimeric antigen receptors), aiming to deliver more precise and effective treatments.

This project has the potential to place Norway on the map in the fields of gene and cell therapy, with the goal of revolutionizing the treatment of hereditary diseases and cancer.

Revolutionizing Osteonecrosis Treatment

Research on the use of bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) has shown promising results in regenerative medicine over recent decades. MSCs are stem cells capable of both self-renewal and differentiation into various cell types, such as bone, cartilage, and fat tissue, making them a powerful tool for skeletal tissue repair.

Previous studies have demonstrated positive outcomes in treating femoral head necrosis, and the Tissue Engineering Group has already proven that MSCs can regenerate alveolar bone in healthy patients. The Tissue Engineering Group was established in 2006 at the Department of Clinical Dentistry at the University of Bergen, led by Professor Kamal Mustafa.

Portrait of Kamal Mustafa — Kamal Mustafa, Professor at the Department of Clinical Dentistry, UiB.

Developed a new method

The group is addressing the challenge of tissue shortages for repair and regeneration. Alongside Cecilie Gjerde, Associate Professor at the Department of Clinical Dentistry, Mustafa has explored the use of stem cells to generate new bone, particularly in dentistry and jaw surgery. They have developed a method where stem cells from a patient’s hip are combined with bi-calcium phosphate to regenerate damaged or lost jawbone. This technique allows for the creation of new bone in the jaw, enabling more effective and comfortable dental implant placement for patients. The OsteoStem project takes this research a step further.

The groundbreaking OsteoStem project, led by Kamal Mustafa, offers hope for a new and effective treatment method by investigating both the safety and efficacy of MSCs in patients with osteonecrosis.

– Osteonecrosis is a treatment-resistant condition that affects patients worldwide, causing significant health issues. Despite the increasing use of bone-modulating medications, therapeutic options remain limited for those suffering from this condition, explains Mustafa.

Extensive preclinical studies are being conducted to analyze the functional and genetic properties of MSCs from osteonecrosis patients compared to stem cells from healthy individuals. The aim is to develop knowledge about the quality and safety of using patients’ own stem cells and to lay the groundwork for expanding treatment options to more patient groups with various clinical conditions.

– This project offers new hope to a growing patient group with few treatment options today, says project leader Mustafa.

If successful, the project could have a significant impact on the treatment of osteonecrosis, improving the quality of life for a large patient population. OsteoStem represents an innovative and forward-looking approach that could become an important alternative to current limited treatment methods.

Stem Cells for Wound Healing in Eye and Skin

Cecilie Bredrup, Chief Physician at the Department of Ophthalmology at Haukeland University Hospital, and Stian K. Almeland, Chief Physician at the Department of Plastic Surgery, are exploring the use of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) to promote the healing of chronic wounds in the skin and eyes. As part of MRCRM, the project addresses challenges related to chronic, large, and non-healing wounds.

– The loss of stem cells in the eye can result in chronic eye wounds and a cloudy cornea. This can lead to severe vision problems and significantly reduced quality of life for patients. By introducing mesenchymal stem cells through a minimally invasive procedure, we hope and believe that corneal wound healing will improve, resulting in a clearer cornea, better vision, and reduced pain for patients, says Bredrup.

Portrait of Cecilie Bredrup — Professor and senior consultant at the Department of Ophtalmology, Cecilie Bredrup.

The project will utilize pre-approved protocols for autologous MSCs, harvested from the patient’s own bone marrow. These stem cells will be isolated and cultured at the Ex-vivo facility. The effectiveness of the treatment will be evaluated using advanced and innovative methods, with the goal of developing a biomarker program for future cell therapy for wound healing.

– In another exciting part of this project, we are focusing on accelerating the healing of large burn wounds using stem cells. This is an important step toward improving the treatment of acute and traumatic wounds, says Almeland.

– Burn injuries present significant challenges for both patients and healthcare systems. By using stem cells, we hope to develop more effective treatment methods, Almeland explains.

In addition to clinical studies with autologous MSCs, the project will conduct preclinical experiments to assess the safety and efficacy of allogeneic stem cells from donors.

The long-term goal is to utilize allogeneic cells in future clinical studies, potentially making the treatment accessible to a larger patient population.

Portrait of Stian Almeland — Associate professor and senior consultant at the Department of Plastic, hand and Reconstructive Surgery, Stian K. Almeland.

This research represents a major step toward developing innovative and effective treatments for chronic, large, and non-healing wounds, potentially improving the quality of life for many patients who currently lack adequate treatment options.

Personalized Medicine in Psychosis Treatment

Research into schizophrenia treatment has long posed one of the greatest challenges in psychiatry, especially for patients with treatment-resistant schizophrenia (TRS). Psychiatrist and project leader Erik Johnsen, based at the Division of Mental Health Care at Haukeland University Hospital, is working with his research group to improve diagnostics and treatments for this patient group, which accounts for approximately one-third of all schizophrenia cases. These patients often respond only to the third-line medication clozapine, highlighting significant unmet medical needs in TRS.

– TRS represents one of the most challenging areas in psychiatry. By identifying genetic and biological differences in this patient group, we can contribute to better diagnostic tools and more effective treatments, says Johnsen.

Portrait of Erik Johnsen — Professor Erik Johnsen is a psychiatrist and Principal investigator at the Divison for Mental Health Care.

The project employs advanced research methods such as single-cell transcriptomics and patient-derived induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSC). The goal is to uncover the molecular mechanisms underlying TRS to enable personalized treatment tailored to each patient.

This research is built on broad collaboration among clinicians, geneticists, and molecular biologists, with a strong focus on translating laboratory findings into clinical practice. By examining how genetic and biological factors influence disease development, the researchers aim to identify biomarkers that can be used for early diagnosis and customized treatment.

– Current treatment options for TRS patients are often inadequate. Through this project, we aim to lay the groundwork for a new approach that can significantly improve the quality of life for this patient group, Johnsen explains.

By combining biological research with clinical expertise, this work represents a critical step toward more targeted and effective treatments for schizophrenia and has the potential to open new doors for treating other psychiatric disorders.

These projects, supported by the Trond Mohn Foundation, mark the beginning of MRCRM, which aims to become a leading force in regenerative medicine. The center emphasizes groundbreaking research and clinical implementation to improve patient care through research-driven innovation.

Kamal Mustafa has applied to the Research Council of Norway for funding to establish a Center for Research-Based Innovation (SFI) to develop a novel treatment using bioprinting technology and stem cells to regenerate human tissue. The goal is to create a 3D "copy" of missing tissue that incorporates the patient’s own stem cells, thereby forming new, customized tissue.

As part of the ATMP-Norway initiative, which receives funding from the Research Council of Norway to build research infrastructure, MRCRM aims to establish a pre-GMP lab. This facility will develop advanced therapies based on genes, tissues, and cells. A pre-GMP lab supports early research phases, testing technologies such as stem cell cultivation and bioprinting before scaling up for GMP-standard production.

Additionally, several of the center's research groups are now co-locating in the "Bergen Center for Medical Stem Cell Research" within the Building for Biological Basic Sciences (BB building). Here, they will share state-of-the-art laboratory facilities with other stem cell researchers from the Department of Clinical Science and the Department of Biomedicine at the University of Bergen. This co-location was "kick-started" with the Mohn Synergy Symposium earlier this fall.

In addition to regular seminars for the research community, MRCRM is organizing UniStem Day on March 14, 2025. This is Europe’s largest event dedicated to communicating stem cell research to high school students, in collaboration with universities and research centers across Europe.