Martin Bergö

Martin Bergö is a Professor at Karolinska Institutet's Department of Biosciences and Nutrition and its Vice President for Research since March 1, 2023. He is also a member of the Nobel Assembly at KI.

Research Focus: Bergö's work explores CAAX proteins' roles in cancer (KRAS, RAC1), aging (Hutchinson-Gilford Progeria Syndrome), and inflammatory disorders. His team discovered antioxidants' paradoxical role in accelerating tumor growth and metastasis through BACH1 activation.

Key Discoveries:

• Antioxidants (vitamins A, C, E) worsen cancer prognosis by stimulating metastasis
• ICMT inhibition as a potential therapy for progeria
• Mechanisms linking oxidative stress, antioxidants, and cancer progression

Scientific Awards:

• ERC Starting Investigator Grant (2007)
• Göran Gustafsson Prize in Medicine (2012)
• Senior Research Fellow, Swedish Research Council (2009)
• NIH R21 grant (2004)

Outreach: Bergö actively communicates with patient organizations, media, and policymakers. He gives 20-25 annual lectures on cancer prevention and nutrition, emphasizing moderation in supplement use.