Photo: the group in September 2025
Projects
In many of our projects, we study metabolites derived from polyunsaturated fatty acids such as docosahexaenoic acid, eicosapentaenoic acid, and arachidonic acid. Over the past 15 years, we have contributed to several syntheses of specialized pro-resolving mediators (protectins, resolvins, and maresins), as well as analogs. This has facilitated the study of their biology and biochemical pathways, providing a better understanding of these molecules in health and disease.
More recently, we have initiated medicinal chemistry projects aimed at mimics of fatty acid epoxides and mimics of anandamide. In addition, we have contributed to the development of new methodologies in synthetic organic chemistry and the identification of new lead compounds in medicinal chemistry projects targeting diseases such as cancer.
Building on our expertise in synthetic and medicinal chemistry, our latest research initiative is in radiopharmacy, where we focus on the design, synthesis, and evaluation of novel PET radiotracers for molecular imaging. By combining synthetic organic chemistry, radiochemistry, and molecular imaging, we aim to develop radiolabeled compounds that enable the non-invasive investigation of biological processes associated with inflammation. This work is carried out in close collaboration with our preclinical partners at the Oslo Imaging and Therapy Laboratory (OITL) and complements our medicinal chemistry activities by translating molecular targets into innovative imaging tools for preclinical and, ultimately, clinical research.
Osman-computational chemistry (further information will soon be inserted here)
These life science–oriented projects are conducted in collaboration with groups both abroad and in Norway (see below). For more details on our research, please see the Publications list in the menu on the left.
Collaborations
Professor Charles N. Serhan, Harvard Medical School, USA.
Professor Jesmond Dalli, The Barts and The London School of Medicine and Dentistry and Queen Mary College, William Harvey Research Institute, UK.
Professor Yonggyun Kim, Andong National University, South Korea.
Professor James Lorens, University of Bergen, Norway.
The Cyclotron Center and Oslo Imaging and Therapy Laboratory (OITL)
Associate professor Eirik Johansson Solum, Nord University, Namsos, Norway
In addition we have internal cooporation with other research groups at the Department of Pharmacy, University of Oslo
Teaching
Members of our group are currently involved in the teaching of the following courses at the Department of Pharmacy:
FARM1100 - Pharmaceutical chemistry
FARM1130 - Pharmaceutically based organic chemistry
FARM1150 - Pharmaceutically based biochemistry
FARM2100 - Medicinal chemistry
FARM4120 - Drug development
FRM5000 - Preparation course for master in pharmacy
FARM5110 - Industrial pharmacy
FARM5190 - Synthesis of bioactive compounds
FARM5230 - Radiopharmacy: Making Drugs for Diagnosis and Treatment
News
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Our group won an Anton Parr Monowave 50 instrument!
We're incredibly excited to have won Houm's competition for an Anton Paar Monowave 50. The instrument will play an important role in our teaching and research in the new Life Science Building. We will first introduce it in a master's-level laboratory course, where students will be able to complete more syntheses in less time and gain valuable hands-on experience. At the same time, it will help us to better integrate green chemistry and modern synthetic methods into our reseach.This will enable us to explore reactions under conditions that were previously beyond our capabilities. In the long term, we aim to expand the use of microwave-assisted synthesis to undergraduate teaching as well. We see this as an important step towards a more efficient, sustainable, and research-driven education in medicinal and organic chemistry.
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Mina published an article in OBC
Minas article “A modular semi-synthetic approach to form a DHA-like polyunsaturated ether lipid with 15-lipoxygenase-1 substrate activity” has been published in Organic and Biomolecular Chemistry! 🎉
This work is the result of a collaboration between the LIPCHEM group and the group of Haraldur G. Gudmundsson at the University of Iceland, where Mina spent the autumn of 2024.
Congratulations to Mina and all co-authors!
You can read the paper here: https://pubs.rsc.org/en/content/articlelanding/2026/ob/d6ob00245e
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Joseph won price for best lecture at OKV for the second year in a row
For the second year in a row Joseph Wallen won the award for best student presentation at the Organic Chemistry Winter Meeting at Skeikampen.
Read more about it here (in norwegian).
Congratulations, Joseph!
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Osman receives funding through two convergence environments!
Osman participates in two convergence environments that have been awarded funding by UiO Life Sciences. The convergence environments receive financing for a period of four years. The purpose of the funding for the convergence environments is to promote cross-disciplinary collaboration between researchers in the Life Science Building and other researchers at the University of Oslo.
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Norwegian Graduate School in Chemistry
Professor Trond Vidar Hansen is the coordinator at the University of Oslo for the new doctoral school, named "ChemSchool – Norwegian Graduate School in Chemistry." The graduate school is led from the University of Bergen by Professor and Head of Department Magne O. Sydnes.