Hilde-Gunn Opsahl Sorteberg

Hilde-Gunn Opsahl Sorteberg is a Professor in the Department of Chemistry, Biotechnology and Food Science at the Norwegian University of Life Sciences (NMBU), Faculty of Science and Technology. Her research spans plant developmental biology, molecular genetics, and biotechnology, with a recent focus on sugar kelp (Saccharina latissima) development and genomics.

Her research interests lie at the intersection of plant development and genetic regulation. She began her career studying seed development and epidermal cell identity in maize and barley, identifying key genes such as DEK1, ESR, and GASA4. Her work has evolved to explore early embryogenesis in macroalgae, where she investigates cell patterning, meristem identity, and gene regulation using techniques like RNA-seq, CRISPR, and live imaging. She emphasizes bridging basic science with applied biotechnology, including genome editing for crop improvement and edible vaccines.

The recent publications highlight a shift toward marine plant systems, particularly kelp, while maintaining strong roots in plant molecular biology. Themes include developmental control, gene family evolution (e.g., CLE peptides), and biotechnological applications in agriculture and medicine. Her work combines classical genetics with modern omics and genome editing tools.

She has supervised multiple PhD and master’s students, including Ioannis Theodorou, Lene Therese Olsen, Espen Evju, Iva Andrasevic, and Dorota Monika Jaskula. She has been involved in significant research collaborations with institutions such as Sorbonne/CNRS Roscoff, UC Berkeley, Yale University, and NIBIO. Her projects include international efforts like the submitted EU proposal Sea2Biodive4Life, focusing on kelp genomics and biodiversity.

She has led COST actions as a working group leader and management committee member in biotechnology. Her international experience includes postdoctoral work at ENS/Lyon, sabbaticals at UC Berkeley and Yale, and active participation in global research networks.

Dr. Opsahl Sorteberg has taught core courses such as Introductory Genetics (BIO120), Cell Biology (BIO100), and Developmental Biology (BIO320/420). She has also contributed to BIO101 and HFX133. She is actively involved in student guidance and curriculum development.