Lars Herfindal

Lars Herfindal is a Professor at the University of Bergen, affiliated with Clinical Institute 2. His research focuses on nanomedicine, anti-cancer therapies, and the discovery of bioactive compounds from natural sources. He leads projects on drug delivery systems, particularly liposomal formulations and cyclodextrin nanoparticles, emphasizing selective cytotoxicity in leukemia and other cancers. Herfindal has pioneered the exploration of cyanobacterial and plant-derived natural products for their anticancer and antimicrobial properties. He collaborates extensively, supervising students in pharmacology, biochemistry, and biomedical engineering. His work integrates zebrafish models, high-content imaging, and nanotechnology to advance personalized cancer treatments. Notable contributions include studies on iodinin, phenazine derivatives, and graphene-based drug carriers. Herfindal’s research also addresses complement system activation by monoclonal antibodies and the role of AXL in breast cancer stemness. He is actively involved in drug repurposing, such as chlorpromazine encapsulation, and has developed novel software tools for in vivo cell analysis.

• Education: PhD in Biomedicine (2006, University of Bergen)
• Key Research Themes: Leukemia treatment, natural product drug discovery, nanocarrier systems, marine biotechnology.

Herfindal’s lab collaborates with institutions like Haukeland University Hospital and University of Helsinki, advancing translational research in oncology and pharmacology. His publications span over 150 peer-reviewed articles, emphasizing interdisciplinary approaches to combat chemoresistance and improve therapeutic outcomes.