Berit Løkensgard Strand

About

Institutional responsibilities

Deputy head of research at Department of Biotechnology and Food Science (2016 - 2021)
Leader of Division for Biopolymers and Biomaterials (2019 - 2025)
Leader for PhD program in Biotechnology (2016 - 2021)
Responsible for course TBT4170 Biotechnology (2014 -)

Research

My research interest is focused on basic understanding of biopolymers, in particular alginates, and on the functional properties depending on composition and sequence. I have particular interest in the interface of biomaterials and biological systems and to tailor biopolymer materials for biomedical applications.

Alginate can be modified with enzymes (epimerases, lyases) or chemically. We have a unique set of enzymes (epimerases) that allow the tailoring of sequence, and through chemical modifications we can add specific chemical and biological properties such as degradability and biological activity. Hydrogel properties can also be tailored via the selection of gelling ions and via composite gels of alginate and other materials (e.g. cellulose, fucoidan, sulfated alginate, calcium crystals). As alginate form hydrogels at physiological pH, has low toxicity and immune activity profile and unique viscoelatic properties close to normal tissue, it is a great starting material for the formation of new responsive and adaptive materials within medical technology.

We have worked extensively on the use of alginates in cell therapy, where the alginate hydrogel act as a protective barrier between the transplant and the host. Alginate capsules from NTNU has been in clinical trials both in 1994 and in 2015 for the treatment of type 1 diabetes. Although promising, the function of the graft is limited due to host cells adhering to the hydrogel surface. We work with researchers at IKOM, NTNU, to understand how the immune system sees the alginate using proteomics and human whole blood, to tailor new materials with reduced inflammatory potential.

Alginate hydrogels are also attractive in tissue engineering applications. We use chemical modification to induce specific biological interactions, e.g. grafting with bioactive peptides to induce cell adhesion. The research is focused on understanding cell responses to materials in order to build tissue relevant for both in vitro systems (e.g. tissue/organs-on chip) and in vivo applications. We collaborate with SINTEF Industry and also IKOM, NTNU, for robotic screening and detailed cell analyses (e.g. transcriptomics), respectively.

Links:

Publications

2026

Kjesbu, Joachim Sebastian; Wæhre, Tore Kristoffer; Strand, Wenche Iren; Nordgård, Catherine Taylor; Strand, Berit Løkensgard; Aachmann, Finn Lillelund. (2026) Physical-mechanical properties of fucoidan-alginate composite hydrogels. Carbohydrate Polymers
Academic article
Stahl, Margrethe Cecilie; Bergendahl, K.G.; Zaytseva-Zotova, Daria; Rytterager, K.R.; Nordgård, Catherine Taylor; Kjesbu, Joachim Sebastian; Haslene-Hox, Hanne; Halaas, Øyvind; Sætrom, P.; Chahal, Aman Singh. (2026) RGD-Alginate beads as scaffolds for culturing primary human dermal and pulmonary fibroblasts. Carbohydrate Polymers
Academic article

2025

Orimi, Hamid Ebrahimi; Champion, Kurtis S.; Gauvin, Laurier; Brassard, Jonathan A.; Strand, Berit Løkensgard; Leask, Richard L.; Hoesli, Corinne A.. (2025) An Accessible Platform to Quantify Oxygen Diffusion in Cell-Laden Hydrogels and Its Application to Alginate-Immobilized Pancreatic Beta Cells. Biotechnology and Bioengineering
Academic article
Boscaro, Diamante; Wahlum, Lill Skovholt; Ullevålseter, Marie Eline; Strand, Berit Løkensgard; Sikorski, Pawel. (2025) Long-Term Culture of Cellular Spheroids in Novel Hydrogel Constructs for ECM Characterization in Bone Models. Materials
Academic article
Vasuthas, Kalaiyarasi; Christiansen, Sverre Christian; Kjesbu, Joachim Sebastian; Ryan, Liv; Andreassen, Trygve; Slupphaug, Geir; Strand, Berit Løkensgard; Stenvik, Jørgen; Rokstad, Anne Mari A.. (2025) Type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM) does not affect whole blood responses to alginate-based microspheres despite plasma lipid and glucose differences. Materials Today Bio
Academic article
Vasuthas, Kalaiyarasi; Kjesbu, Joachim Sebastian; Brambilla, Alessandro; Levitan, Maya; Coron, Abba Elizabeth; Fonseca, Davi de Miranda; Strand, Berit Løkensgard; Slupphaug, Geir; Rokstad, Anne Mari A.. (2025) Fucoidan alginate and sulfated alginate microbeads induce distinct coagulation, inflammatory and fibrotic responses. Materials Today Bio
Academic article

2024

Mushtaq, Gulfam; Bandyopadhyay, Sulalit; Strand, Berit Løkensgard. (2024) Chemisorption of Anisotropic Gold Nanoparticles on Optical Fibers for Biosensing Applications. NTNU
Master thesis

2023

Solbu, Anita Akbarzadeh; Caballero, David; Damigos, Spyridon; Kundu, Subhas C.; Reis, Rui L.; Halaas, Øyvind; Chahal, Aman Singh; Strand, Berit Løkensgard. (2023) Assessing cell migration in hydrogels: An overview of relevant materials and methods. Materials Today Bio
Academic literature review
Oskarsdotter, Kristin; Nordgård, Catherine Taylor; Apelgren, Peter; Säljö, Karin; Solbu, Anita Akbarzadeh; Eliasson, Edwin; Sämfors, Sanna; Sætrang, Henriette Elisabeth Myhr; Asdahl, Lise Cathrine; Thompson, Eric Malcolm. (2023) Injectable In Situ Crosslinking Hydrogel for Autologous Fat Grafting. Gels
Academic article
Ludviksen, Tobias; Bandyopadhyay, Sulalit; Strand, Berit Løkensgard. (2023) Shape Dependency of Gold Nanoparticles Performance as Oligonucleotide Based Biosensors. Norges teknisk-naturvitenskapelige universitet
Master thesis

2022

Kjesbu, Joachim Sebastian; Zaytseva-Zotova, Daria; Sämfors, Sanna; Gatenholm, Paul; Troedsson, Christofer; Thompson, Eric Malcolm; Strand, Berit Løkensgard. (2022) Alginate and tunicate nanocellulose composite microbeads – Preparation, characterization and cell encapsulation. Carbohydrate Polymers
Academic article
Fleten, Karianne Giller; Hyldbakk, Astrid; Einen, Caroline; Benjakul, Sopisa; Strand, Berit Løkensgard; Davies, Catharina de Lange; Mørch, Ýrr Asbjørg; Flatmark, Kjersti. (2022) Alginate Microsphere Encapsulation of Drug-Loaded Nanoparticles: A Novel Strategy for Intraperitoneal Drug Delivery. Marine Drugs
Academic article
Coron, Abba Elizabeth; Fonseca, Davi de Miranda; Sharma, Animesh; Slupphaug, Geir; Strand, Berit Løkensgard; Rokstad, Anne Mari A.. (2022) MS-proteomics provides insight into the host responses towards alginate microspheres. Materials Today Bio
Academic article
Syanda, Adam M.; Kringstad, Vera I.; Blackford, Samuel J.I.; Kjesbu, Joachim Sebastian; Ng, Soon Seng; Ma, Liang; Xiao, Fang; Coron, Abba Elizabeth; Rokstad, Anne Mari A.; Modi, Sunil. (2022) Sulfated alginate reduces pericapsular fibrotic overgrowth on encapsulated cGMP-compliant hPSC-hepatocytes in mice. Frontiers in Bioengineering and Biotechnology
Academic article

2021

Solberg, Amalie; Mo, Ingrid Vikøren; Omtvedt, Line Aanerud; Strand, Berit Løkensgard; Aachmann, Finn Lillelund; Schatz, Christophe; Christensen, Bjørn E.. (2021) Carbohydr Polym Special Issue Invited contribution: Click chemistry for block polysaccharides with dihydrazide and dioxyamine linkers - A review. Carbohydrate Polymers
Academic literature review
Coron, Abba E.; Kjesbu, Joachim Sebastian; Kjærnsmo, Fredrikke; Oberholzer, José; Rokstad, Anne Mari A.; Strand, Berit Løkensgard. (2021) Pericapsular fibrotic overgrowth mitigated in immunocompetent mice through microbead formulations based on sulfated or intermediate G alginates. Acta Biomaterialia
Academic article
Omtvedt, Line Aanerud; Kristiansen, Kåre Andre; Strand, Wenche Iren; Aachmann, Finn Lillelund; Strand, Berit Løkensgard; Zaytseva-Zotova, Daria. (2021) Alginate hydrogels functionalized with β-cyclodextrin as a local paclitaxel delivery system. Journal of Biomedical Materials Research. Part A
Academic article
Akbarzadeh, Anita; Koernig, Andre; Kjesbu, Joachim Sebastian; Zaytseva-Zotova, Daria; Sletmoen, Marit; Strand, Berit Løkensgard. (2021) High resolution imaging of soft alginate hydrogels by atomic force microscopy. Carbohydrate Polymers
Academic article

2020

Victoria, Moreno-Manzano; Zaytseva-Zotova, Daria; López-Mocholí, Eric; Briz-Redón, Álvaro; Strand, Berit Løkensgard; Serrano-Aroca, Angel. (2020) Injectable Gel Form of a Decellularized Bladder Induces Adipose-Derived Stem Cell Differentiation into Smooth Muscle Cells In Vitro. International Journal of Molecular Sciences
Academic article
Legøy, Thomas Aga; Vethe, Heidrun; Abadpour, Shadab; Strand, Berit Løkensgard; Scholz, Hanne; Paulo, Joao A.; Ræder, Helge; Ghila, Luiza; Chera, Simona. (2020) Encapsulation boosts islet-cell signature in differentiating human induced pluripotent stem cells via integrin signalling. Scientific Reports
Academic article

2019

Heggset, Ellinor Bævre; Strand, Berit Løkensgard; Sundby, Kristin Weel; Simon, Sebastien Charles; Chinga-Carrasco, Gary; Syverud, Kristin. (2019) Viscoelastic properties of nanocellulose based inks for 3D printing and mechanical properties of CNF/alginate biocomposite gels. Cellulose
Academic article
Dalheim, Marianne Øksnes; Omtvedt, Line Aanerud; Bjørge, Isabel M.; Akbarzadeh, Anita; Mano, Joao F.; Aachmann, Finn Lillelund; Strand, Berit Løkensgard. (2019) Mechanical Properties of Ca-Saturated Hydrogels with Functionalized Alginate. Gels
Academic article
Omtvedt, Line Aanerud; Dalheim, Marianne Øksnes; Nielsen, Thorbjørn T.; Larsen, Kim; Strand, Berit Løkensgard; Aachmann, Finn Lillelund. (2019) Efficient Grafting of Cyclodextrin to Alginate and Performance of the Hydrogel for Release of Model Drug. Scientific Reports
Academic article
Vethe, Heidrun; Legøy, Thomas Aga; Abadpour, Shadab; Strand, Berit Løkensgard; Scholz, Hanne; Paulo, Joao A.; Ræder, Helge; Ghila, Luiza; Chera, Simona. (2019) Encapsulation boosts islet-cell signature in differentiating human induced pluripotent stem cells via integrin signalling. BioRxiv
Academic article
Ucar, Seniz; Bjørnøy, Sindre Hove; Bassett, David; Strand, Berit Løkensgard; Sikorski, Pawel; Andreassen, Jens-Petter. (2019) Formation of Hydroxyapatite via Transformation of Amorphous Calcium Phosphate in the Presence of Alginate Additives. Crystal Growth & Design
Academic article

2018

Bochenek, Matthew A.; Veiseh, Omid; Vegas, Arturo J.; McGarrigle, James J.; Qi, Meirigeng; Marchese, Enza; Omami, Mustafa; Doloff, Joshua C.; Mendoza-Elias, Joshua; Nourmohammadzadeh, Mohammad. (2018) Alginate encapsulation as long-term immune protection of allogeneic pancreatic islet cells transplanted into the omental bursa of macaques. Nature Biomedical Engineering
Academic article
Johansen, Finn-Eirik; Brautaset, Trygve; Aune, Marie Hjelmseth; Patriksson, Alexandra; Falkenberg, Liv Eggset; Kleppe, Rune; Dick, Gunnar; Strand, Berit Løkensgard; Eijsink, Vincent; Røyne, Anja. (2018) Centre for Digital Life Norway - Annual report 2017. Senter for Digialt Liv Norge
Research report

2017

Aarstad, Olav Andreas; Heggset, Ellinor Bævre; Pedersen, Ina S.; Bjørnøy, Sindre Hove; Syverud, Kristin; Strand, Berit Løkensgard. (2017) Mechanical Properties of Composite Hydrogels of Alginate and Cellulose Nanofibrils. Polymers
Academic article
Strand, Berit Løkensgard; Coron, Abba Elizabeth; Skjåk-Bræk, Gudmund. (2017) Current and Future Perspectives on Alginate Encapsulated Pancreatic Islet. Stem Cells Translational Medicine
Academic article

2016

Dalheim, Marianne Øksnes; Vanacker, Julie; Najmi, Maryam A.; Aachmann, Finn Lillelund; Strand, Berit Løkensgard; Christensen, Bjørn E.. (2016) Efficient functionalization of alginate biomaterials. Biomaterials
Academic article
Ucar, Seniz; Bjørnøy, Sindre Hove; Bassett, David; Strand, Berit Løkensgard; Sikorski, Pawel; Andreassen, Jens-Petter. (2016) Transformation of brushite to hydroxyapatite and effects of alginate additives. Journal of Crystal Growth
Academic article
Bjørnøy, Sindre Hove; Mandaric, Stefan; Bassett, David; Åslund, Andreas; Ucar, Seniz; Andreassen, Jens-Petter; Strand, Berit Løkensgard; Sikorski, Pawel. (2016) Gelling kinetics and in situ mineralization of alginate hydrogels: A correlative spatiotemporal characterization toolbox. Acta Biomaterialia
Academic article
Bjørnøy, Sindre Hove; Bassett, David; Ucar, Seniz; Strand, Berit Løkensgard; Andreassen, Jens-Petter; Sikorski, Pawel. (2016) A correlative spatiotemporal microscale study of calcium phosphate formation and transformation within an alginate hydrogel matrix. Acta Biomaterialia
Academic article

2015

Ucar, Seniz; Bjørnøy, Sindre Hove; Bassett, David; Strand, Berit Løkensgard; Sikorski, Pawel; Andreassen, Jens-Petter. (2015) Nucleation and Growth of Brushite in the Presence of Alginate. Crystal Growth & Design
Academic article
Westhrin, Marita; Xie, Minli; Olderøy, Magnus Ø.; Sikorski, Pawel; Strand, Berit Løkensgard; Standal, Therese. (2015) Osteogenic differentiation of human mesenchymal stem cells in mineralized alginate matrices. PLOS ONE
Academic article
Formo, Kjetil Ødegård; Cho, Candy H-H; Vallier, Ludovic; Strand, Berit Løkensgard. (2015) Culture of hESC-derived pancreatic progenitors in alginate-based scaffold. Journal of Biomedical Materials Research. Part A
Academic article

2014

Maryam, Abdol Najim; Strand, Berit Løkensgard; Dalheim, Marianne Øksnes. (2014) Alginate modification with the coupling of primary amines relevant for nerve regeneration. Norges teknisk-naturvitenskapelige universitet
Master thesis
Lee, Hanna Hye Won; Strand, Berit Løkensgard; Dalheim, Marianne Øksnes; Stokke, Bjørn Torger. (2014) Single-Molecule Pair Studies of RGD-Coupled Alginate and Integrin. Norges teknisk-naturvitenskapelige universitet
Master thesis
Aanerud, Line Omtvedt; Strand, Berit Løkensgard; Skjåk-Bræk, Gudmund; Aachmann, Finn Lillelund. (2014) Combining the Best of Alginate and Cyclodextrin - Synthesis and Characterization of Properties. Institutt for Bioteknologi, NTNU
Master thesis
Sandvig, Ioanna; Karstensen, Kristin; Rokstad, Anne Mari; Aachmann, Finn Lillelund; Formo, Kjetil Ødegård; Sandvig, Axel; Skjåk-Bræk, Gudmund; Strand, Berit Løkensgard. (2014) RGD-peptide modified alginate by a chemoenzymatic strategy for tissue engineering applications. Journal of Biomedical Materials Research. Part A
Academic article
Formo, Kjetil Ødegård; Aarstad, Olav Andreas; Skjåk-Bræk, Gudmund; Strand, Berit Løkensgard. (2014) Lyase-catalyzed degradation of alginate in the gelled state: Effect ofgelling ions and lyase specificity. Carbohydrate Polymers
Academic article
Rokstad, Anne Mari; Lacík, Igor; DeVos, Paul; Strand, Berit Løkensgard. (2014) Advances in biocompatibility and physico-chemical characterization of microspheres for cell encapsulation. Advanced Drug Delivery Reviews
Academic literature review

2013

Aarstad, Olav Andreas; Strand, Berit Løkensgard; Klepp-Andersen, Lise Mari; Skjåk-Bræk, Gudmund. (2013) Analysis of G-Block Distributions and Their Impact on Gel Properties of in Vitro Epimerized Mannuronan. Biomacromolecules
Academic article
Hals, Ingrid Katrin; Rokstad, Anne Mari; Strand, Berit Løkensgard; Oberholzer, José; Grill, Valdemar. (2013) Alginate Microencapsulation of Human Islets Does Not Increase Susceptibility to Acute Hypoxia. Experimental Diabetes Research
Academic article
Rokstad, Anne Mari; Brekke, Ole Lars; Steinkjer, Bjørg; Ryan, Liv; Kolláriková, Gabriela; Strand, Berit Løkensgard; Skjåk-Bræk, Gudmund; Lambris, John D.; Lacík, Igor; Mollnes, Tom Eirik. (2013) The induction of cytokines by polycation containing microspheres by a complement dependent mechanism. Biomaterials
Academic article
Jacobs-Tulleneers-Thevissen, D.; Chintinne, M.; Ling, Z.; Gillard, P.; Schoonjans, L.; Delvaux, G.; Strand, Berit Løkensgard; Gorus, F.; Keymeulen, B.; Pipeleers, D.. (2013) Sustained function of alginate-encapsulated human islet cell implants in the peritoneal cavity of mice leading to a pilot study in a type 1 diabetic patient. Diabetologia
Academic article
Hals, Ingrid Katrin; Rokstad, Anne Mari; Strand, Berit Løkensgard; Grill, Valdemar. (2013) Acute hypoxia impacts similarly on encapsulated and non-encapsulated human pancreatic islets. Diabetologia
Conference abstract
Qi, Meirigeng; McGarrigle, James J.; Wang, Yong; Marchese, Enza; Bochenek, Matthew A.; Vaca, Pilar; Davis, Maureen E.; Ahn, Sang Joon; Schwartz, Alexander; Strand, Berit Løkensgard. (2013) Transplantation of Pancreatic Islets Immobilized in Alginate-Based Microcapsules: From Animal Studies to Clinical Trials. Micro and Nanosystems
Academic article
Rokstad, Anne Mari; Strand, Berit Løkensgard; Espevik, Terje; Mollnes, Tom Eirik. (2013) Biocompatibility and Biotolerability Assessment of Microspheres Using a Whole Blood Model. Micro and Nanosystems
Academic article

2012

Qi, Meirigeng; Mørch, Yrr Asbjørg; Lacík, Igor; Formo, Kjetil Ødegård; Marchese, Enza; Wang, Yong; Danielson, Kirstie K.; Kinzer, Katie; Wang, Shusen; Barbaro, Barbara. (2012) Survival of human islets in microbeads containing high guluronic acid alginate crosslinked with Ca2+ and Ba2+. Xenotransplantation
Academic article
Mcdonagh, Birgitte Hjelmeland; Skjåk-Bræk, Gudmund; Strand, Berit Løkensgard; Aachmann, Finn Lillelund. (2012) Optimalised Carbodiimide Chemistry for RGD-coupled Alginate. Norges teknisk-naturvitenskapelige universitet
Master thesis
Xie, Minli; Magnus Østgård, Olderøy; Zhang, Zhibing; Andreassen, Jens-Petter; Strand, Berit Løkensgard; Sikorski, Pawel. (2012) Biocomposites prepared by alkaline phosphatase mediated mineralization of alginate microbeads. RSC Advances
Academic article
Andersen, Therese; Strand, Berit Løkensgard; Formo, Kjetil Ødegård; Alsberg, Eben; Christensen, Bjørn Erik. (2012) Alginates as biomaterials in tissue engineering.
Academic chapter
Mørch, Yrr Asbjørg; Qi, Meirigeng; Gundersen, Per Ole M.; Formo, Kjetil Ødegård; Lacík, Igor; Skjåk-Bræk, Gudmund; Oberholzer, José; Strand, Berit Løkensgard. (2012) Binding and leakage of barium in alginate microbeads. Journal of Biomedical Materials Research. Part A
Academic article
Olderøy, Magnus Østgård; Xie, Minli; Andreassen, Jens-Petter; Strand, Berit Løkensgard; Zhang, Zhibing; Sikorski, Pawel. (2012) Viscoelastic properties of mineralized alginate hydrogel beads. Journal of Materials Science: Materials in Medicine
Academic article
Olderøy, Magnus Østgård; Westhrin, Marita; Andreassen, Jens-Petter; Zhang, Zhibing; Strand, Berit Løkensgard; Standal, Therese; Sikorski, Pawel. (2012) Properties and cell compatibility of mineralized alginate hydrogel beads. European Cells and Materials
Conference abstract
Olderøy, Magnus Østgård; Westhrin, Marita; Ehnert, Sabrina; Xie, Minli; Andreassen, Jens-Petter; Strand, Berit Løkensgard; Standal, Therese; Nussler, Andreas K; Sikorski, Pawel. (2012) Investigation of mineralized alginate gels as a scaffold material for stem cell based bone tissue engineering. Journal of Tissue Engineering and Regenerative Medicine
Conference abstract

2011

Olderøy, Magnus Østgård; Xie, Minli; Strand, Berit Løkensgard; Draget, Kurt Ingar; Sikorski, Pawel; Andreassen, Jens-Petter. (2011) Polymorph Switching in the Calcium Carbonate System by Well-Defined Alginate Oligomers. Crystal Growth & Design
Academic article
Rokstad, Anne Mari; Brekke, Ole Lars; Steinkjer, Bjørg; Ryan, Liv; Kolláriková, Gabriela; Strand, Berit Løkensgard; Skjåk-Bræk, Gudmund; Lacík, Igor; Espevik, Terje; Mollnes, Tom Eirik. (2011) Alginate microbeads are complement compatible, in contrast to polycation containing microcapsules, as revealed in a human whole blood model. Acta Biomaterialia
Academic article
Qi, Meirigeng; Lacík, Igor; Kolláriková, Gabriela; Strand, Berit Løkensgard; Formo, Kjetil Ødegård; Wang, Yong; Marchese, Enza; Mendoza-Elias, Joshua E; Kinzer, Katie P; Gatti, F.. (2011) A Recommended Laparoscopic Procedure for Implantation of Microcapsules in the Peritoneal Cavity of Non-Human Primates. Journal of Surgical Research
Academic article

2010

Xie, Minli; Olderøy, Magnus Østgård; Andreassen, Jens-Petter; Selbach, Sverre Magnus; Strand, Berit Løkensgard; Sikorski, Pawel. (2010) Alginate-controlled formation of nanoscale calcium carbonate and hydroxyapatite mineral phase within hydrogel networks. Acta Biomaterialia
Academic article

2009

Vos, Paul De; Bucko, Marek; Gemeiner, Peter; Navrátil, Marián; Svitel, Juraj; Faas, Marijke; Strand, Berit Løkensgard; Skjåk-Bræk, Gudmund; Mørch, Yrr Asbjørg; Vikartovská, Alica. (2009) Multiscale requirements for bioencapsulation in medicine and biotechnology. Biomaterials
Academic literature review
Olderøy, Magnus Østgård; Xie, Minli; Andreassen, Jens-Petter; Strand, Berit Løkensgard; Sikorski, Pawel. (2009) Front cover of the book "Food Stabilisers, Thickeners and Gelling Agents".
Visual arts
Olderøy, Magnus Østgård; Xie, Minli; Strand, Berit Løkensgard; Flaten, Ellen Marie; Sikorski, Pawel; Andreassen, Jens-Petter. (2009) Growth and nucleation of calcium carbonate vaterite crystals in presence of alginate. Crystal Growth & Design
Academic article
Espevik, Terje; Rokstad, Anne Mari; Kulseng, Bård Eirik; Strand, Berit Løkensgard; Skjåk-Bræk, Gudmund. (2009) Mechanisms of the host immune response to alginate microcapsules.
Non-fiction chapter
Mørch, Yrr Asbjørg; Strand, Berit Løkensgard; Skjåk-Bræk, Gudmund. (2009) Alginate structure function relationships relevant to their use for cell encapsulation.
Academic chapter
Donati, Ivan; Mørch, Yrr Asbjørg; Strand, Berit Løkensgard; Skjåk-Bræk, Gudmund; Paoletti, Sergio. (2009) Effect of Elongation of Alternating Sequences on Swelling Behavior and Large Deformation Properties of Natural Alginate Gels. Journal of Physical Chemistry B
Academic article

2008

Marsich, Eleonora; Borgogna, Massimiliano; Donati, Ivan; Mozetic, Pamela; Strand, Berit Løkensgard; Salvador, Santiago Gomez; Vittur, Franco; Paoletti, Sergio. (2008) Alginate/lactose-modified chitosan hydrogels: A bioactive biomaterial for chondrocyte encapsulation. Journal of Biomedical Materials Research. Part A
Academic article
Mørch, Yrr Asbjørg; Holtan, Synnøve; Donati, Ivan; Strand, Berit Løkensgard; Skjåk-Bræk, Gudmund. (2008) Mechanical properties of C-5 epimerized alginates. Biomacromolecules
Academic article
Qi, Meirigeng; Strand, Berit Løkensgard; Mørch, Yrr Asbjørg; Lacík, Igor; Wang, Yong; Salehi, Payam; Barbaro, Barbara; Gangemi, Antonio; Kuechle, Joseph; Romagnoli, Travis. (2008) Encapsulation of Human Islets in Novel Inhomogeneous Alginate-Ca2+/Ba2+ Microbeads: In Vitro and In Vivo Function. Artificial Cells, Blood Substitutes, and Biotechnology
Academic article

2007

Salehi, Payam; Walker, John; Madsen, Karen L.; Sigurdson, Grant T.; Strand, Berit Løkensgard; Christensen, Bjørn Erik; Jewell, Laurence D.; Churchill, Thomas A.. (2007) Relationship between energetic stress and pro-apoptotic/cytoprotective kinase mechanisms in intestinal preservation. Surgery
Academic article
Qi, M.; Strand, Berit Løkensgard; Lacik, I.; Wang, Y.; Barbaro, B.; Gangemi, A.; Salehi, P.; Kuechle, J.; Benedetti, E.; Hunkeler, D.. (2007) Prolonged immunosuppression-free survival of TAM encapsulated human islet grafts in diabetic, immunocompetent mice. American Journal of Transplantation
Conference abstract
Mørch, Yrr Asbjørg; Donati, Ivan; Strand, Berit Løkensgard; Skjåk-Bræk, Gudmund. (2007) Molecular engineering as an approach to design new functional properties of alginate. Biomacromolecules
Academic article

2006

Mørch, Yrr Asbjørg; Donati, Ivan; Strand, Berit Løkensgard; Skjåk-Bræk, Gudmund. (2006) Effect of Ca2+, Ba2+, and Sr2+ on alginate microbeads. Biomacromolecules
Academic article
Rokstad, Anne Mari Aukan; Donati, Ivan; Borgogna, Massimiliano; Oberholzer, José; Strand, Berit Løkensgard; Espevik, Terje; Skjåk-Bræk, Gudmund. (2006) Cell-compatible covalently reinforced beads obtained from a chemoenzymatically engineered alginate. Biomaterials
Academic article
Vos, Paul De; Faas, Marijke M.; Strand, Berit Løkensgard; Calafiore, Ricardo. (2006) Alginate-based microcapsules for immunoisolation of pancreatic islets. Biomaterials
Academic literature review

2003

Rokstad, Anne Mari Aukan; Strand, Berit Løkensgard; Rian, K.; Steinkjer, Bjørg; Kulseng, Bård Eirik; Skjåk-Bræk, Gudmund; Espevik, Terje. (2003) Evaluation of different types of alginate microcapsules as bioreactors for producing endostatin. Cell Transplantation
Academic article
King, Aileen; Andersson, Arne; Strand, Berit Løkensgard; Lau, Joey; Skjåk-Bræk, Gudmund; Sandler, Stellan. (2003) The role of capsule composition and biologic responses in the function of transplanted microencapsulated islets of langerhans. Transplantation
Academic article
Strand, Berit Løkensgard; Skjåk-Bræk, Gudmund; Gåserød, Olav. (2003) Microcapsule formation.
Academic chapter
Strand, Berit Løkensgard; Mørch, Yrr Asbjørg; Espevik, Terje; Skjåk-Bræk, Gudmund. (2003) Visualization of alginate-poly-L-lysine-alginate microcapsules by confocal laser scanning microscopy. Biotechnology and Bioengineering
Academic article
King, Aileen; Strand, Berit Løkensgard; Rokstad, Anne Mari Aukan; Andersson, Arne; Kulseng, Bård Eirik; Skjåk-Bræk, Gudmund; Sandler, Stellan. (2003) Improvement of the biocompatibility of alginate/poly-L-lysine/alginate microcapsules by the use of epimerized alginate as a coating. Journal of Biomedical Materials Research
Academic article
Strand, Berit Løkensgard; Mørch, Yrr Asbjørg; Syvertsen, Kjersti R.; Espevik, Terje; Skjåk-Bræk, Gudmund. (2003) Microcapsules made by enzymatically tailored alginate. Journal of Biomedical Materials Research
Academic article

2002

Strand, Berit Løkensgard. (2002) Alginate microcapsules for cell therapy : a study of functional properties of capsules made of native and enzymatically tailored alginates. Norges teknisk-naturvitenskapelige universitet
Doctoral thesis
Rokstad, Anne Mari Aukan; Holtan, Synnøve; Strand, Berit Løkensgard; Steinkjer, Bjørg; Ryan, Liv; Kulseng, Bård Eirik; Skjåk-Bræk, Gudmund; Espevik, Terje. (2002) Microencapsulation of cells producing therapeutic proteins: Optimizing cell growth and secretion. Cell Transplantation
Academic article
Strand, Berit Løkensgard; Gåserød, Olav; Kulseng, Bård Eirik; Espevik, Terje; Skjåk-Bræk, Gudmund. (2002) Alginate-polylysine-alginate microcapsules – effect of size reduction on capsule properties. Journal of Microencapsulation
Academic article

2001

Rokstad, Anne Mari Aukan; Kulseng, Bård Eirik; Strand, Berit Løkensgard; Skjåk-Bræk, Gudmund; Espevik, Terje. (2001) Transplantation of alginate microcapsules with proliferating cells in mice. Capsular overgrowth and suvival of encapsulated cells of mice and human origin. Annals of the New York Academy of Sciences
Academic article
Strand, Berit Løkensgard; Ryan, Liv; Veld, Peter Int; Kulseng, Bård Eirik; Rokstad, Anne Mari Aukan; Skjåk-Bræk, Gudmund; Espevik, Terje. (2001) Poly-L-Lysine Induces Fibrosis on Alginate Microcapsules via the Induction of Cytokines. Cell Transplantation
Academic article

2000

Draget, Kurt Ingar; Strand, Berit Løkensgard; Hartmann, Martin; Valla, Svein; Smidsrød, Olav; Skjåk-Bræk, Gudmund. (2000) Ionic and acid gel formation of epimerised alginates : the effect of AlgE4. International Journal of Biological Macromolecules
Academic article

Journal publications

Kjesbu, Joachim Sebastian; Wæhre, Tore Kristoffer; Strand, Wenche Iren; Nordgård, Catherine Taylor; Strand, Berit Løkensgard; Aachmann, Finn Lillelund. (2026) Physical-mechanical properties of fucoidan-alginate composite hydrogels. Carbohydrate Polymers
Academic article
Orimi, Hamid Ebrahimi; Champion, Kurtis S.; Gauvin, Laurier; Brassard, Jonathan A.; Strand, Berit Løkensgard; Leask, Richard L.; Hoesli, Corinne A.. (2025) An Accessible Platform to Quantify Oxygen Diffusion in Cell-Laden Hydrogels and Its Application to Alginate-Immobilized Pancreatic Beta Cells. Biotechnology and Bioengineering
Academic article
Stahl, Margrethe Cecilie; Bergendahl, K.G.; Zaytseva-Zotova, Daria; Rytterager, K.R.; Nordgård, Catherine Taylor; Kjesbu, Joachim Sebastian; Haslene-Hox, Hanne; Halaas, Øyvind; Sætrom, P.; Chahal, Aman Singh. (2026) RGD-Alginate beads as scaffolds for culturing primary human dermal and pulmonary fibroblasts. Carbohydrate Polymers
Academic article
Boscaro, Diamante; Wahlum, Lill Skovholt; Ullevålseter, Marie Eline; Strand, Berit Løkensgard; Sikorski, Pawel. (2025) Long-Term Culture of Cellular Spheroids in Novel Hydrogel Constructs for ECM Characterization in Bone Models. Materials
Academic article
Heggset, Ellinor Bævre; Strand, Berit Løkensgard; Sundby, Kristin Weel; Simon, Sebastien Charles; Chinga-Carrasco, Gary; Syverud, Kristin. (2019) Viscoelastic properties of nanocellulose based inks for 3D printing and mechanical properties of CNF/alginate biocomposite gels. Cellulose
Academic article
Vos, Paul De; Bucko, Marek; Gemeiner, Peter; Navrátil, Marián; Svitel, Juraj; Faas, Marijke; Strand, Berit Løkensgard; Skjåk-Bræk, Gudmund; Mørch, Yrr Asbjørg; Vikartovská, Alica. (2009) Multiscale requirements for bioencapsulation in medicine and biotechnology. Biomaterials
Academic literature review
Qi, Meirigeng; Mørch, Yrr Asbjørg; Lacík, Igor; Formo, Kjetil Ødegård; Marchese, Enza; Wang, Yong; Danielson, Kirstie K.; Kinzer, Katie; Wang, Shusen; Barbaro, Barbara. (2012) Survival of human islets in microbeads containing high guluronic acid alginate crosslinked with Ca2+ and Ba2+. Xenotransplantation
Academic article
Marsich, Eleonora; Borgogna, Massimiliano; Donati, Ivan; Mozetic, Pamela; Strand, Berit Løkensgard; Salvador, Santiago Gomez; Vittur, Franco; Paoletti, Sergio. (2008) Alginate/lactose-modified chitosan hydrogels: A bioactive biomaterial for chondrocyte encapsulation. Journal of Biomedical Materials Research. Part A
Academic article
Xie, Minli; Magnus Østgård, Olderøy; Zhang, Zhibing; Andreassen, Jens-Petter; Strand, Berit Løkensgard; Sikorski, Pawel. (2012) Biocomposites prepared by alkaline phosphatase mediated mineralization of alginate microbeads. RSC Advances
Academic article
Olderøy, Magnus Østgård; Xie, Minli; Strand, Berit Løkensgard; Draget, Kurt Ingar; Sikorski, Pawel; Andreassen, Jens-Petter. (2011) Polymorph Switching in the Calcium Carbonate System by Well-Defined Alginate Oligomers. Crystal Growth & Design
Academic article
Salehi, Payam; Walker, John; Madsen, Karen L.; Sigurdson, Grant T.; Strand, Berit Løkensgard; Christensen, Bjørn Erik; Jewell, Laurence D.; Churchill, Thomas A.. (2007) Relationship between energetic stress and pro-apoptotic/cytoprotective kinase mechanisms in intestinal preservation. Surgery
Academic article
Solbu, Anita Akbarzadeh; Caballero, David; Damigos, Spyridon; Kundu, Subhas C.; Reis, Rui L.; Halaas, Øyvind; Chahal, Aman Singh; Strand, Berit Løkensgard. (2023) Assessing cell migration in hydrogels: An overview of relevant materials and methods. Materials Today Bio
Academic literature review
Mørch, Yrr Asbjørg; Holtan, Synnøve; Donati, Ivan; Strand, Berit Løkensgard; Skjåk-Bræk, Gudmund. (2008) Mechanical properties of C-5 epimerized alginates. Biomacromolecules
Academic article
Rokstad, Anne Mari Aukan; Strand, Berit Løkensgard; Rian, K.; Steinkjer, Bjørg; Kulseng, Bård Eirik; Skjåk-Bræk, Gudmund; Espevik, Terje. (2003) Evaluation of different types of alginate microcapsules as bioreactors for producing endostatin. Cell Transplantation
Academic article
Mørch, Yrr Asbjørg; Donati, Ivan; Strand, Berit Løkensgard; Skjåk-Bræk, Gudmund. (2006) Effect of Ca2+, Ba2+, and Sr2+ on alginate microbeads. Biomacromolecules
Academic article
Rokstad, Anne Mari Aukan; Donati, Ivan; Borgogna, Massimiliano; Oberholzer, José; Strand, Berit Løkensgard; Espevik, Terje; Skjåk-Bræk, Gudmund. (2006) Cell-compatible covalently reinforced beads obtained from a chemoenzymatically engineered alginate. Biomaterials
Academic article
Olderøy, Magnus Østgård; Xie, Minli; Strand, Berit Løkensgard; Flaten, Ellen Marie; Sikorski, Pawel; Andreassen, Jens-Petter. (2009) Growth and nucleation of calcium carbonate vaterite crystals in presence of alginate. Crystal Growth & Design
Academic article
Rokstad, Anne Mari Aukan; Kulseng, Bård Eirik; Strand, Berit Løkensgard; Skjåk-Bræk, Gudmund; Espevik, Terje. (2001) Transplantation of alginate microcapsules with proliferating cells in mice. Capsular overgrowth and suvival of encapsulated cells of mice and human origin. Annals of the New York Academy of Sciences
Academic article
Rokstad, Anne Mari Aukan; Holtan, Synnøve; Strand, Berit Løkensgard; Steinkjer, Bjørg; Ryan, Liv; Kulseng, Bård Eirik; Skjåk-Bræk, Gudmund; Espevik, Terje. (2002) Microencapsulation of cells producing therapeutic proteins: Optimizing cell growth and secretion. Cell Transplantation
Academic article
Bochenek, Matthew A.; Veiseh, Omid; Vegas, Arturo J.; McGarrigle, James J.; Qi, Meirigeng; Marchese, Enza; Omami, Mustafa; Doloff, Joshua C.; Mendoza-Elias, Joshua; Nourmohammadzadeh, Mohammad. (2018) Alginate encapsulation as long-term immune protection of allogeneic pancreatic islet cells transplanted into the omental bursa of macaques. Nature Biomedical Engineering
Academic article
Kjesbu, Joachim Sebastian; Zaytseva-Zotova, Daria; Sämfors, Sanna; Gatenholm, Paul; Troedsson, Christofer; Thompson, Eric Malcolm; Strand, Berit Løkensgard. (2022) Alginate and tunicate nanocellulose composite microbeads – Preparation, characterization and cell encapsulation. Carbohydrate Polymers
Academic article
King, Aileen; Andersson, Arne; Strand, Berit Løkensgard; Lau, Joey; Skjåk-Bræk, Gudmund; Sandler, Stellan. (2003) The role of capsule composition and biologic responses in the function of transplanted microencapsulated islets of langerhans. Transplantation
Academic article
Vasuthas, Kalaiyarasi; Christiansen, Sverre Christian; Kjesbu, Joachim Sebastian; Ryan, Liv; Andreassen, Trygve; Slupphaug, Geir; Strand, Berit Løkensgard; Stenvik, Jørgen; Rokstad, Anne Mari A.. (2025) Type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM) does not affect whole blood responses to alginate-based microspheres despite plasma lipid and glucose differences. Materials Today Bio
Academic article
Oskarsdotter, Kristin; Nordgård, Catherine Taylor; Apelgren, Peter; Säljö, Karin; Solbu, Anita Akbarzadeh; Eliasson, Edwin; Sämfors, Sanna; Sætrang, Henriette Elisabeth Myhr; Asdahl, Lise Cathrine; Thompson, Eric Malcolm. (2023) Injectable In Situ Crosslinking Hydrogel for Autologous Fat Grafting. Gels
Academic article
Rokstad, Anne Mari; Brekke, Ole Lars; Steinkjer, Bjørg; Ryan, Liv; Kolláriková, Gabriela; Strand, Berit Løkensgard; Skjåk-Bræk, Gudmund; Lacík, Igor; Espevik, Terje; Mollnes, Tom Eirik. (2011) Alginate microbeads are complement compatible, in contrast to polycation containing microcapsules, as revealed in a human whole blood model. Acta Biomaterialia
Academic article
Vos, Paul De; Faas, Marijke M.; Strand, Berit Løkensgard; Calafiore, Ricardo. (2006) Alginate-based microcapsules for immunoisolation of pancreatic islets. Biomaterials
Academic literature review
Aarstad, Olav Andreas; Heggset, Ellinor Bævre; Pedersen, Ina S.; Bjørnøy, Sindre Hove; Syverud, Kristin; Strand, Berit Løkensgard. (2017) Mechanical Properties of Composite Hydrogels of Alginate and Cellulose Nanofibrils. Polymers
Academic article
Dalheim, Marianne Øksnes; Omtvedt, Line Aanerud; Bjørge, Isabel M.; Akbarzadeh, Anita; Mano, Joao F.; Aachmann, Finn Lillelund; Strand, Berit Løkensgard. (2019) Mechanical Properties of Ca-Saturated Hydrogels with Functionalized Alginate. Gels
Academic article
Strand, Berit Løkensgard; Ryan, Liv; Veld, Peter Int; Kulseng, Bård Eirik; Rokstad, Anne Mari Aukan; Skjåk-Bræk, Gudmund; Espevik, Terje. (2001) Poly-L-Lysine Induces Fibrosis on Alginate Microcapsules via the Induction of Cytokines. Cell Transplantation
Academic article
Qi, Meirigeng; Strand, Berit Løkensgard; Mørch, Yrr Asbjørg; Lacík, Igor; Wang, Yong; Salehi, Payam; Barbaro, Barbara; Gangemi, Antonio; Kuechle, Joseph; Romagnoli, Travis. (2008) Encapsulation of Human Islets in Novel Inhomogeneous Alginate-Ca2+/Ba2+ Microbeads: In Vitro and In Vivo Function. Artificial Cells, Blood Substitutes, and Biotechnology
Academic article
Qi, M.; Strand, Berit Løkensgard; Lacik, I.; Wang, Y.; Barbaro, B.; Gangemi, A.; Salehi, P.; Kuechle, J.; Benedetti, E.; Hunkeler, D.. (2007) Prolonged immunosuppression-free survival of TAM encapsulated human islet grafts in diabetic, immunocompetent mice. American Journal of Transplantation
Conference abstract
Aarstad, Olav Andreas; Strand, Berit Løkensgard; Klepp-Andersen, Lise Mari; Skjåk-Bræk, Gudmund. (2013) Analysis of G-Block Distributions and Their Impact on Gel Properties of in Vitro Epimerized Mannuronan. Biomacromolecules
Academic article
Xie, Minli; Olderøy, Magnus Østgård; Andreassen, Jens-Petter; Selbach, Sverre Magnus; Strand, Berit Løkensgard; Sikorski, Pawel. (2010) Alginate-controlled formation of nanoscale calcium carbonate and hydroxyapatite mineral phase within hydrogel networks. Acta Biomaterialia
Academic article
Sandvig, Ioanna; Karstensen, Kristin; Rokstad, Anne Mari; Aachmann, Finn Lillelund; Formo, Kjetil Ødegård; Sandvig, Axel; Skjåk-Bræk, Gudmund; Strand, Berit Løkensgard. (2014) RGD-peptide modified alginate by a chemoenzymatic strategy for tissue engineering applications. Journal of Biomedical Materials Research. Part A
Academic article
Omtvedt, Line Aanerud; Dalheim, Marianne Øksnes; Nielsen, Thorbjørn T.; Larsen, Kim; Strand, Berit Løkensgard; Aachmann, Finn Lillelund. (2019) Efficient Grafting of Cyclodextrin to Alginate and Performance of the Hydrogel for Release of Model Drug. Scientific Reports
Academic article
Strand, Berit Løkensgard; Coron, Abba Elizabeth; Skjåk-Bræk, Gudmund. (2017) Current and Future Perspectives on Alginate Encapsulated Pancreatic Islet. Stem Cells Translational Medicine
Academic article
Mørch, Yrr Asbjørg; Qi, Meirigeng; Gundersen, Per Ole M.; Formo, Kjetil Ødegård; Lacík, Igor; Skjåk-Bræk, Gudmund; Oberholzer, José; Strand, Berit Løkensgard. (2012) Binding and leakage of barium in alginate microbeads. Journal of Biomedical Materials Research. Part A
Academic article
Formo, Kjetil Ødegård; Aarstad, Olav Andreas; Skjåk-Bræk, Gudmund; Strand, Berit Løkensgard. (2014) Lyase-catalyzed degradation of alginate in the gelled state: Effect ofgelling ions and lyase specificity. Carbohydrate Polymers
Academic article
Strand, Berit Løkensgard; Gåserød, Olav; Kulseng, Bård Eirik; Espevik, Terje; Skjåk-Bræk, Gudmund. (2002) Alginate-polylysine-alginate microcapsules – effect of size reduction on capsule properties. Journal of Microencapsulation
Academic article
Solberg, Amalie; Mo, Ingrid Vikøren; Omtvedt, Line Aanerud; Strand, Berit Løkensgard; Aachmann, Finn Lillelund; Schatz, Christophe; Christensen, Bjørn E.. (2021) Carbohydr Polym Special Issue Invited contribution: Click chemistry for block polysaccharides with dihydrazide and dioxyamine linkers - A review. Carbohydrate Polymers
Academic literature review
Ucar, Seniz; Bjørnøy, Sindre Hove; Bassett, David; Strand, Berit Løkensgard; Sikorski, Pawel; Andreassen, Jens-Petter. (2015) Nucleation and Growth of Brushite in the Presence of Alginate. Crystal Growth & Design
Academic article
Westhrin, Marita; Xie, Minli; Olderøy, Magnus Ø.; Sikorski, Pawel; Strand, Berit Løkensgard; Standal, Therese. (2015) Osteogenic differentiation of human mesenchymal stem cells in mineralized alginate matrices. PLOS ONE
Academic article
Olderøy, Magnus Østgård; Xie, Minli; Andreassen, Jens-Petter; Strand, Berit Løkensgard; Zhang, Zhibing; Sikorski, Pawel. (2012) Viscoelastic properties of mineralized alginate hydrogel beads. Journal of Materials Science: Materials in Medicine
Academic article
Formo, Kjetil Ødegård; Cho, Candy H-H; Vallier, Ludovic; Strand, Berit Løkensgard. (2015) Culture of hESC-derived pancreatic progenitors in alginate-based scaffold. Journal of Biomedical Materials Research. Part A
Academic article
Victoria, Moreno-Manzano; Zaytseva-Zotova, Daria; López-Mocholí, Eric; Briz-Redón, Álvaro; Strand, Berit Løkensgard; Serrano-Aroca, Angel. (2020) Injectable Gel Form of a Decellularized Bladder Induces Adipose-Derived Stem Cell Differentiation into Smooth Muscle Cells In Vitro. International Journal of Molecular Sciences
Academic article
Vethe, Heidrun; Legøy, Thomas Aga; Abadpour, Shadab; Strand, Berit Løkensgard; Scholz, Hanne; Paulo, Joao A.; Ræder, Helge; Ghila, Luiza; Chera, Simona. (2019) Encapsulation boosts islet-cell signature in differentiating human induced pluripotent stem cells via integrin signalling. BioRxiv
Academic article
Coron, Abba E.; Kjesbu, Joachim Sebastian; Kjærnsmo, Fredrikke; Oberholzer, José; Rokstad, Anne Mari A.; Strand, Berit Løkensgard. (2021) Pericapsular fibrotic overgrowth mitigated in immunocompetent mice through microbead formulations based on sulfated or intermediate G alginates. Acta Biomaterialia
Academic article
Strand, Berit Løkensgard; Mørch, Yrr Asbjørg; Espevik, Terje; Skjåk-Bræk, Gudmund. (2003) Visualization of alginate-poly-L-lysine-alginate microcapsules by confocal laser scanning microscopy. Biotechnology and Bioengineering
Academic article
Fleten, Karianne Giller; Hyldbakk, Astrid; Einen, Caroline; Benjakul, Sopisa; Strand, Berit Løkensgard; Davies, Catharina de Lange; Mørch, Ýrr Asbjørg; Flatmark, Kjersti. (2022) Alginate Microsphere Encapsulation of Drug-Loaded Nanoparticles: A Novel Strategy for Intraperitoneal Drug Delivery. Marine Drugs
Academic article
Hals, Ingrid Katrin; Rokstad, Anne Mari; Strand, Berit Løkensgard; Oberholzer, José; Grill, Valdemar. (2013) Alginate Microencapsulation of Human Islets Does Not Increase Susceptibility to Acute Hypoxia. Experimental Diabetes Research
Academic article
King, Aileen; Strand, Berit Løkensgard; Rokstad, Anne Mari Aukan; Andersson, Arne; Kulseng, Bård Eirik; Skjåk-Bræk, Gudmund; Sandler, Stellan. (2003) Improvement of the biocompatibility of alginate/poly-L-lysine/alginate microcapsules by the use of epimerized alginate as a coating. Journal of Biomedical Materials Research
Academic article
Strand, Berit Løkensgard; Mørch, Yrr Asbjørg; Syvertsen, Kjersti R.; Espevik, Terje; Skjåk-Bræk, Gudmund. (2003) Microcapsules made by enzymatically tailored alginate. Journal of Biomedical Materials Research
Academic article
Rokstad, Anne Mari; Lacík, Igor; DeVos, Paul; Strand, Berit Løkensgard. (2014) Advances in biocompatibility and physico-chemical characterization of microspheres for cell encapsulation. Advanced Drug Delivery Reviews
Academic literature review
Omtvedt, Line Aanerud; Kristiansen, Kåre Andre; Strand, Wenche Iren; Aachmann, Finn Lillelund; Strand, Berit Løkensgard; Zaytseva-Zotova, Daria. (2021) Alginate hydrogels functionalized with β-cyclodextrin as a local paclitaxel delivery system. Journal of Biomedical Materials Research. Part A
Academic article
Rokstad, Anne Mari; Brekke, Ole Lars; Steinkjer, Bjørg; Ryan, Liv; Kolláriková, Gabriela; Strand, Berit Løkensgard; Skjåk-Bræk, Gudmund; Lambris, John D.; Lacík, Igor; Mollnes, Tom Eirik. (2013) The induction of cytokines by polycation containing microspheres by a complement dependent mechanism. Biomaterials
Academic article
Olderøy, Magnus Østgård; Westhrin, Marita; Andreassen, Jens-Petter; Zhang, Zhibing; Strand, Berit Løkensgard; Standal, Therese; Sikorski, Pawel. (2012) Properties and cell compatibility of mineralized alginate hydrogel beads. European Cells and Materials
Conference abstract
Ucar, Seniz; Bjørnøy, Sindre Hove; Bassett, David; Strand, Berit Løkensgard; Sikorski, Pawel; Andreassen, Jens-Petter. (2019) Formation of Hydroxyapatite via Transformation of Amorphous Calcium Phosphate in the Presence of Alginate Additives. Crystal Growth & Design
Academic article
Olderøy, Magnus Østgård; Westhrin, Marita; Ehnert, Sabrina; Xie, Minli; Andreassen, Jens-Petter; Strand, Berit Løkensgard; Standal, Therese; Nussler, Andreas K; Sikorski, Pawel. (2012) Investigation of mineralized alginate gels as a scaffold material for stem cell based bone tissue engineering. Journal of Tissue Engineering and Regenerative Medicine
Conference abstract
Donati, Ivan; Mørch, Yrr Asbjørg; Strand, Berit Løkensgard; Skjåk-Bræk, Gudmund; Paoletti, Sergio. (2009) Effect of Elongation of Alternating Sequences on Swelling Behavior and Large Deformation Properties of Natural Alginate Gels. Journal of Physical Chemistry B
Academic article
Dalheim, Marianne Øksnes; Vanacker, Julie; Najmi, Maryam A.; Aachmann, Finn Lillelund; Strand, Berit Løkensgard; Christensen, Bjørn E.. (2016) Efficient functionalization of alginate biomaterials. Biomaterials
Academic article
Jacobs-Tulleneers-Thevissen, D.; Chintinne, M.; Ling, Z.; Gillard, P.; Schoonjans, L.; Delvaux, G.; Strand, Berit Løkensgard; Gorus, F.; Keymeulen, B.; Pipeleers, D.. (2013) Sustained function of alginate-encapsulated human islet cell implants in the peritoneal cavity of mice leading to a pilot study in a type 1 diabetic patient. Diabetologia
Academic article
Draget, Kurt Ingar; Strand, Berit Løkensgard; Hartmann, Martin; Valla, Svein; Smidsrød, Olav; Skjåk-Bræk, Gudmund. (2000) Ionic and acid gel formation of epimerised alginates : the effect of AlgE4. International Journal of Biological Macromolecules
Academic article
Ucar, Seniz; Bjørnøy, Sindre Hove; Bassett, David; Strand, Berit Løkensgard; Sikorski, Pawel; Andreassen, Jens-Petter. (2016) Transformation of brushite to hydroxyapatite and effects of alginate additives. Journal of Crystal Growth
Academic article
Akbarzadeh, Anita; Koernig, Andre; Kjesbu, Joachim Sebastian; Zaytseva-Zotova, Daria; Sletmoen, Marit; Strand, Berit Løkensgard. (2021) High resolution imaging of soft alginate hydrogels by atomic force microscopy. Carbohydrate Polymers
Academic article
Coron, Abba Elizabeth; Fonseca, Davi de Miranda; Sharma, Animesh; Slupphaug, Geir; Strand, Berit Løkensgard; Rokstad, Anne Mari A.. (2022) MS-proteomics provides insight into the host responses towards alginate microspheres. Materials Today Bio
Academic article
Qi, Meirigeng; Lacík, Igor; Kolláriková, Gabriela; Strand, Berit Løkensgard; Formo, Kjetil Ødegård; Wang, Yong; Marchese, Enza; Mendoza-Elias, Joshua E; Kinzer, Katie P; Gatti, F.. (2011) A Recommended Laparoscopic Procedure for Implantation of Microcapsules in the Peritoneal Cavity of Non-Human Primates. Journal of Surgical Research
Academic article
Vasuthas, Kalaiyarasi; Kjesbu, Joachim Sebastian; Brambilla, Alessandro; Levitan, Maya; Coron, Abba Elizabeth; Fonseca, Davi de Miranda; Strand, Berit Løkensgard; Slupphaug, Geir; Rokstad, Anne Mari A.. (2025) Fucoidan alginate and sulfated alginate microbeads induce distinct coagulation, inflammatory and fibrotic responses. Materials Today Bio
Academic article
Legøy, Thomas Aga; Vethe, Heidrun; Abadpour, Shadab; Strand, Berit Løkensgard; Scholz, Hanne; Paulo, Joao A.; Ræder, Helge; Ghila, Luiza; Chera, Simona. (2020) Encapsulation boosts islet-cell signature in differentiating human induced pluripotent stem cells via integrin signalling. Scientific Reports
Academic article
Hals, Ingrid Katrin; Rokstad, Anne Mari; Strand, Berit Løkensgard; Grill, Valdemar. (2013) Acute hypoxia impacts similarly on encapsulated and non-encapsulated human pancreatic islets. Diabetologia
Conference abstract
Mørch, Yrr Asbjørg; Donati, Ivan; Strand, Berit Løkensgard; Skjåk-Bræk, Gudmund. (2007) Molecular engineering as an approach to design new functional properties of alginate. Biomacromolecules
Academic article
Qi, Meirigeng; McGarrigle, James J.; Wang, Yong; Marchese, Enza; Bochenek, Matthew A.; Vaca, Pilar; Davis, Maureen E.; Ahn, Sang Joon; Schwartz, Alexander; Strand, Berit Løkensgard. (2013) Transplantation of Pancreatic Islets Immobilized in Alginate-Based Microcapsules: From Animal Studies to Clinical Trials. Micro and Nanosystems
Academic article
Bjørnøy, Sindre Hove; Mandaric, Stefan; Bassett, David; Åslund, Andreas; Ucar, Seniz; Andreassen, Jens-Petter; Strand, Berit Løkensgard; Sikorski, Pawel. (2016) Gelling kinetics and in situ mineralization of alginate hydrogels: A correlative spatiotemporal characterization toolbox. Acta Biomaterialia
Academic article
Bjørnøy, Sindre Hove; Bassett, David; Ucar, Seniz; Strand, Berit Løkensgard; Andreassen, Jens-Petter; Sikorski, Pawel. (2016) A correlative spatiotemporal microscale study of calcium phosphate formation and transformation within an alginate hydrogel matrix. Acta Biomaterialia
Academic article
Rokstad, Anne Mari; Strand, Berit Løkensgard; Espevik, Terje; Mollnes, Tom Eirik. (2013) Biocompatibility and Biotolerability Assessment of Microspheres Using a Whole Blood Model. Micro and Nanosystems
Academic article
Syanda, Adam M.; Kringstad, Vera I.; Blackford, Samuel J.I.; Kjesbu, Joachim Sebastian; Ng, Soon Seng; Ma, Liang; Xiao, Fang; Coron, Abba Elizabeth; Rokstad, Anne Mari A.; Modi, Sunil. (2022) Sulfated alginate reduces pericapsular fibrotic overgrowth on encapsulated cGMP-compliant hPSC-hepatocytes in mice. Frontiers in Bioengineering and Biotechnology
Academic article

Artistic productions

Olderøy, Magnus Østgård; Xie, Minli; Andreassen, Jens-Petter; Strand, Berit Løkensgard; Sikorski, Pawel. (2009) Front cover of the book "Food Stabilisers, Thickeners and Gelling Agents".
Visual arts

Part of book/report

Strand, Berit Løkensgard; Skjåk-Bræk, Gudmund; Gåserød, Olav. (2003) Microcapsule formation.
Academic chapter
Andersen, Therese; Strand, Berit Løkensgard; Formo, Kjetil Ødegård; Alsberg, Eben; Christensen, Bjørn Erik. (2012) Alginates as biomaterials in tissue engineering.
Academic chapter
Espevik, Terje; Rokstad, Anne Mari; Kulseng, Bård Eirik; Strand, Berit Løkensgard; Skjåk-Bræk, Gudmund. (2009) Mechanisms of the host immune response to alginate microcapsules.
Non-fiction chapter
Mørch, Yrr Asbjørg; Strand, Berit Løkensgard; Skjåk-Bræk, Gudmund. (2009) Alginate structure function relationships relevant to their use for cell encapsulation.
Academic chapter

Report

Johansen, Finn-Eirik; Brautaset, Trygve; Aune, Marie Hjelmseth; Patriksson, Alexandra; Falkenberg, Liv Eggset; Kleppe, Rune; Dick, Gunnar; Strand, Berit Løkensgard; Eijsink, Vincent; Røyne, Anja. (2018) Centre for Digital Life Norway - Annual report 2017. Senter for Digialt Liv Norge
Research report

Student thesis or dissertation

Strand, Berit Løkensgard. (2002) Alginate microcapsules for cell therapy : a study of functional properties of capsules made of native and enzymatically tailored alginates. Norges teknisk-naturvitenskapelige universitet
Doctoral thesis
Maryam, Abdol Najim; Strand, Berit Løkensgard; Dalheim, Marianne Øksnes. (2014) Alginate modification with the coupling of primary amines relevant for nerve regeneration. Norges teknisk-naturvitenskapelige universitet
Master thesis
Lee, Hanna Hye Won; Strand, Berit Løkensgard; Dalheim, Marianne Øksnes; Stokke, Bjørn Torger. (2014) Single-Molecule Pair Studies of RGD-Coupled Alginate and Integrin. Norges teknisk-naturvitenskapelige universitet
Master thesis
Mcdonagh, Birgitte Hjelmeland; Skjåk-Bræk, Gudmund; Strand, Berit Løkensgard; Aachmann, Finn Lillelund. (2012) Optimalised Carbodiimide Chemistry for RGD-coupled Alginate. Norges teknisk-naturvitenskapelige universitet
Master thesis
Aanerud, Line Omtvedt; Strand, Berit Løkensgard; Skjåk-Bræk, Gudmund; Aachmann, Finn Lillelund. (2014) Combining the Best of Alginate and Cyclodextrin - Synthesis and Characterization of Properties. Institutt for Bioteknologi, NTNU
Master thesis
Mushtaq, Gulfam; Bandyopadhyay, Sulalit; Strand, Berit Løkensgard. (2024) Chemisorption of Anisotropic Gold Nanoparticles on Optical Fibers for Biosensing Applications. NTNU
Master thesis
Ludviksen, Tobias; Bandyopadhyay, Sulalit; Strand, Berit Løkensgard. (2023) Shape Dependency of Gold Nanoparticles Performance as Oligonucleotide Based Biosensors. Norges teknisk-naturvitenskapelige universitet
Master thesis

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