Marte Singsås Dragset
About
My core competencies lie in leading cutting-edge research and fostering innovation. At one of NTNU's Centre of Excellence, CEMIR, my mission is to advance the understanding of bacterial virulence strategies and host-pathogen interactions. My expertise in securing funding, supervising students, and leading research projects underscores my commitment to contribute impact on public health and excellence in scientific advancement. My role as a Principle Investigator at GSK via the Tres Cantos Open Lab Foundation accentuates my capabilities in managing industrial research projects. The position involves project management, cross-disciplinary collaboration, and a steadfast focus on delivering results. Leveraging skills in molecular microbiology, cell biology, and genetics, I ensure my projects remain at the forefront of infection biology and antimicrobial research.
I work on host-pathogen interactions, with an emphasis on bacterial virulence. Virulence factors are the bacteria's "weapons" to cause disease. I am specifically interested in mycobacteria, a genus containing members causing tuberculosis and tuberculosis-like diseases. Tuberculosis is now the world's top-killler infectious agent with around 1.5 million deaths yearly. I obtained my masters at University of Tromsø (molecular eukaryot cell biology) and my PhD at Norwegain University of Science and Technology (molecular microbiology). I spent two years of my PhD training at Harvard University in Boston, USA. I was recently on a two-year research stay at Germans Trias i Pujol Research Institute outside Barcelona, Spain, where I worked with the common fruit fly (Drosophila melanogaster) as a host for mycobacterial infections.
Publications
2025
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Belardinelli, Juan M.;
Avanzi, Charlotte;
Martin, Kelsey E.;
Lam, Ha;
Dragset, Marte Singsås;
Wheat, William H..
(2025)
The DosR regulon of Mycobacterium avium and adaptation to hypoxia.
Frontiers in Cellular and Infection Microbiology
Academic article
2022
-
Basson, Adelle;
Olaisen, Camilla;
Selvik, Linn-Karina M.;
Lyng, Randi Valsø;
Lysvand, Hilde;
Gidon, Alexandre.
(2022)
The Streptococcus agalactiae R3 surface protein is encoded by sar5.
PLOS ONE
Academic article
-
Dragset, Marte Singsås;
Selvik, Linn-Karina M.;
Sivakumar, Niruja;
Fuentes, Esther;
Arch, Marta;
Ioerger, Thomas R..
(2022)
Drosophila melanogaster is a powerful host model to study mycobacterial virulence.
bioRxiv
Article in business/trade/industry journal
2020
-
Basson, Adelle;
Afset, Jan Egil;
Dragset, Marte Singsås.
(2020)
Elucidating the gene encoding the R3 surface protein in
Streptococcus agalactiae .
Norges teknisk-naturvitenskapelige universitet
Norges teknisk-naturvitenskapelige universitet
Masters thesis
2019
-
Dragset, Marte Singsås;
Ioerger, Thomas R.;
Zhang, Yanjia;
Mærk, Mali;
Ginbot, Zekarias;
Sacchettini, James C..
(2019)
Genome-wide phenotypic profiling identifies and categorizes genes required for mycobacterial low iron fitness.
Scientific Reports
Academic article
-
Dragset, Marte Singsås;
Ioerger, Thomas R.;
Loevenich, Maja;
Haug, Markus;
Sivakumar, Niruja;
Marstad, Anne.
(2019)
Global assessment of Mycobacterium avium subsp. hominissuis genetic requirement for growth and virulence.
mSystems
Academic article
2016
-
Majumdar, Gaurav;
Mbau, Rendani;
Singh, Vinayak;
Warner, Digby;
Dragset, Marte Singsås;
Mukherjee, Raju.
(2016)
Genome-Wide Transposon Mutagenesis in Mycobacterium tuberculosis and Mycobacterium smegmatis.
Springer Science+Business Media B.V.
Academic chapter/article/Conference paper
2015
-
Dragset, Marte Singsås;
Barczak, Amy K.;
Kannan, Nisha;
Mærk, Mali;
Flo, Trude Helen;
Valla, Svein.
(2015)
Benzoic Acid-Inducible Gene Expression in Mycobacteria.
PLOS ONE
Academic article
-
Dragset, Marte Singsås;
Poce, Giovanna;
Alfonso, Salvatore;
Padilla-Benavides, Teresita;
Ioerger, Thomas R.;
Kaneko, Takushi.
(2015)
A novel antimycobacterial compound acts as an intracellular iron chelator.
Antimicrobial Agents and Chemotherapy
Academic article
2014
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Siegrist, M. Sloan;
Steigedal, Magnus;
Ahmad, Rushdy;
Mehra, Alka;
Dragset, Marte Singsås;
Schuster, Brian M..
(2014)
Mycobacterial Esx-3 Requires Multiple Components for Iron Acquisition.
mBio
Academic article
2013
-
Dragset, Marte Singsås.
(2013)
Riding the Ferrous Wheel: Identification and Study of Genes Involved in Mycobacterial Iron Aquisition.
Institutt for bioteknologi, NTNU
Doctoral dissertation
2011
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Johannessen, Mona;
Walquist, Mari;
Gerits, Nancy;
Dragset, Marte Singsås;
Spang, Anne;
Moens, Ugo.
(2011)
BKV Agnoprotein Interacts with alpha-Soluble N-Ethylmaleimide-Sensitive Fusion Attachment Protein, and Negatively Influences Transport of VSVG-EGFP.
PLOS ONE
Academic article
2008
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Johannessen, Mona;
Myhre, marit renee;
Dragset, Marte Singsås;
Tummler, Conny;
Moens, Ugo.
(2008)
Phosphorylation of human polyomavirus BK agnoprotein at Ser-11 is mediated by PKC and has an important regulative function.
Virology
Academic article
2007
-
Johannessen, Mona;
Delghandi, Marit Pedersen;
Rykx, An;
Dragset, Marte Singsås;
Vandenheede, Jackie R.;
Van Lint, Jo.
(2007)
Protein kinase D induces transcription through direct phosphorylation of the cAMP-response element-binding protein.
Journal of Biological Chemistry
Academic article
Journal publications
-
Belardinelli, Juan M.;
Avanzi, Charlotte;
Martin, Kelsey E.;
Lam, Ha;
Dragset, Marte Singsås;
Wheat, William H..
(2025)
The DosR regulon of Mycobacterium avium and adaptation to hypoxia.
Frontiers in Cellular and Infection Microbiology
Academic article
-
Basson, Adelle;
Olaisen, Camilla;
Selvik, Linn-Karina M.;
Lyng, Randi Valsø;
Lysvand, Hilde;
Gidon, Alexandre.
(2022)
The Streptococcus agalactiae R3 surface protein is encoded by sar5.
PLOS ONE
Academic article
-
Dragset, Marte Singsås;
Selvik, Linn-Karina M.;
Sivakumar, Niruja;
Fuentes, Esther;
Arch, Marta;
Ioerger, Thomas R..
(2022)
Drosophila melanogaster is a powerful host model to study mycobacterial virulence.
bioRxiv
Article in business/trade/industry journal
-
Dragset, Marte Singsås;
Ioerger, Thomas R.;
Zhang, Yanjia;
Mærk, Mali;
Ginbot, Zekarias;
Sacchettini, James C..
(2019)
Genome-wide phenotypic profiling identifies and categorizes genes required for mycobacterial low iron fitness.
Scientific Reports
Academic article
-
Dragset, Marte Singsås;
Ioerger, Thomas R.;
Loevenich, Maja;
Haug, Markus;
Sivakumar, Niruja;
Marstad, Anne.
(2019)
Global assessment of Mycobacterium avium subsp. hominissuis genetic requirement for growth and virulence.
mSystems
Academic article
-
Dragset, Marte Singsås;
Barczak, Amy K.;
Kannan, Nisha;
Mærk, Mali;
Flo, Trude Helen;
Valla, Svein.
(2015)
Benzoic Acid-Inducible Gene Expression in Mycobacteria.
PLOS ONE
Academic article
-
Dragset, Marte Singsås;
Poce, Giovanna;
Alfonso, Salvatore;
Padilla-Benavides, Teresita;
Ioerger, Thomas R.;
Kaneko, Takushi.
(2015)
A novel antimycobacterial compound acts as an intracellular iron chelator.
Antimicrobial Agents and Chemotherapy
Academic article
-
Siegrist, M. Sloan;
Steigedal, Magnus;
Ahmad, Rushdy;
Mehra, Alka;
Dragset, Marte Singsås;
Schuster, Brian M..
(2014)
Mycobacterial Esx-3 Requires Multiple Components for Iron Acquisition.
mBio
Academic article
-
Johannessen, Mona;
Walquist, Mari;
Gerits, Nancy;
Dragset, Marte Singsås;
Spang, Anne;
Moens, Ugo.
(2011)
BKV Agnoprotein Interacts with alpha-Soluble N-Ethylmaleimide-Sensitive Fusion Attachment Protein, and Negatively Influences Transport of VSVG-EGFP.
PLOS ONE
Academic article
-
Johannessen, Mona;
Myhre, marit renee;
Dragset, Marte Singsås;
Tummler, Conny;
Moens, Ugo.
(2008)
Phosphorylation of human polyomavirus BK agnoprotein at Ser-11 is mediated by PKC and has an important regulative function.
Virology
Academic article
-
Johannessen, Mona;
Delghandi, Marit Pedersen;
Rykx, An;
Dragset, Marte Singsås;
Vandenheede, Jackie R.;
Van Lint, Jo.
(2007)
Protein kinase D induces transcription through direct phosphorylation of the cAMP-response element-binding protein.
Journal of Biological Chemistry
Academic article
Part of book/report
-
Majumdar, Gaurav;
Mbau, Rendani;
Singh, Vinayak;
Warner, Digby;
Dragset, Marte Singsås;
Mukherjee, Raju.
(2016)
Genome-Wide Transposon Mutagenesis in Mycobacterium tuberculosis and Mycobacterium smegmatis.
Springer Science+Business Media B.V.
Academic chapter/article/Conference paper
Report
-
Basson, Adelle;
Afset, Jan Egil;
Dragset, Marte Singsås.
(2020)
Elucidating the gene encoding the R3 surface protein in
Streptococcus agalactiae .
Norges teknisk-naturvitenskapelige universitet
Norges teknisk-naturvitenskapelige universitet
Masters thesis
-
Dragset, Marte Singsås.
(2013)
Riding the Ferrous Wheel: Identification and Study of Genes Involved in Mycobacterial Iron Aquisition.
Institutt for bioteknologi, NTNU
Doctoral dissertation
Outreach
2024
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LectureDragset, Marte Singsås. (2024) Virulens hos mykobakterier. Tuberkulosekoordinatorene i Helse Midt-Norge Konferanse for tuberkulosekoordinatorer 8.-9. april 2024 , Trondheim 2024-02-08 - 2024-04-09
2023
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Popular scientific lectureDragset, Marte Singsås; Selvik, Linn-Karina M.. (2023) Skolebesøk Fosen Videregående. Skolebesøk ved IKO; NTNU fra Fosen Videregående , NTNU, Trondheim 2023-03-13 -
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PosterSivakumar, Niruja; Dragset, Marte Singsås; Marstad, Anne; Flo, Trude Helen. (2023) MFS1:A conserved virulence target in pathogenic mycobacteria . Gordon Research Conferences Tuberculosis Drug Discovery and Development , Barcelona 2023-07-23 - 2023-07-28
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Academic lectureSivakumar, Niruja; Dragset, Marte Singsås; Marstad, Anne; Flo, Trude Helen. (2023) A novel, multifunctional target in pathogenic mycobacteria. ESCMID 33rd European Congress of Clinical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases , København 2023-04-15 - 2023-04-18
2022
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PosterBasson, Adelle; Olaisen, Camilla; Selvik, Linn-Karina M.; Lyng, Randi Valsø; Lysvand, Hilde; Gidon, Alexandre. (2022) The Streptococcus agalactiae R3 surface protein is encoded by sar5. The Lancefield Society The 2022 Lancefield International Symposium on Streptococci and Streptococcal Diseases , Stockholm 2022-06-07 - 2022-06-10
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Academic lectureDragset, Marte Singsås; Sivakumar, Niruja; Fuentes, Esther; Selvik, Linn-Karina M.; Arch, Marta; Cardona, Pere Joan. (2022) Drosophila melanogaster as a model to study mycobacterial host-pathogen interactions . EMBO EMBO Workshop on Tuberculosis 2022 , Paris 2022-09-12 - 2022-09-16
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Academic lectureDragset, Marte Singsås; Selvik, Linn-Karina M.; Flo, Trude Helen; Steigedal, Magnus; Strand, Trine Aakvik; Ullmann, Sindre. (2022) The role of protease BlaR in mycobacterial low iron growth and virulence . Harvard University Boston TB meeting 2022-05-05 -
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Academic lectureDragset, Marte Singsås; Selvik, Linn-Karina M.; Flo, Trude Helen; Steigedal, Magnus; Strand, Trine Aakvik; Ullmann, Sindre. (2022) Disarm virulence and reduce resistance - in one go? Novel potential targets against tuberculosis . Norwegian Institute of Public Health Norwegian Consortium for Microbial Genomics Meeting 2022 , Norwegian Institute of Public Health 2022-12-08 - 2022-12-08
2021
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Academic lectureSivakumar, Niruja; Dragset, Marte Singsås; Haug, Markus; Marstad, Anne; Cardona, Pere Joan; Flo, Trude Helen. (2021) A novel, multifunctional target in mycobacterial drug discovery. Forskerskolen IBA IBA Annual Meeting , Oslo 2021-11-01 - 2021-11-02
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Academic lectureDragset, Marte Singsås. (2021) "Novel mycobacterial virulence factors and their potential in TB treatment". Glaxo Smith Klein Glaxo Smith Klein R&D seminar , Madrid 2021-01-20 - 2021-01-20
2020
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Academic lectureDragset, Marte Singsås. (2020) Mycobacterial virulence genes in Drosophila melanogaster. The National Graduate School in Infection Biology and Antimi The annual IBA meeting 2020 , Trondheim (online) 2020-10-26 - 2020-10-27
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Academic lectureFlo, Trude Helen; Gidon, Alexandre; Mediaas, Sindre Dahl; Dragset, Marte Singsås. (2020) AMR in mycobacterial infections and the search for new treatments. AMR-BRIDGE AMR-BRIDGE workshop «The need for new antibiotics» , Jægtvolden 2020-10-13 - 2020-10-14
2019
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Academic lectureSivakumar, Niruja; Dragset, Marte Singsås; Ioerger, Thomas R.; Loevenich, Maja; Haug, Markus; Marstad, Anne. (2019) Global assessment of Mycobacterium avium subspecies hominissuis genetic requirement for virulence . Norsk Biovitenskapelig Selskap Norwegian Biochemical Society 55th Contact Meeting , Røros 2019-01-24 - 2019-01-27
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PosterSivakumar, Niruja; Dragset, Marte Singsås; Ioerger, Thomas R.; Loevenich, Maja; Haug, Markus; Marstad, Anne. (2019) Identification of novel virulence mechanisms in pathogenic mycobacteria. Centre of Molecular Inflammation Research Conference on Molecular Mechanisms of Inflammation , Trondheim 2019-06-03 - 2019-06-06
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PosterDragset, Marte Singsås; Ioerger, Thomas R.; Cardona, Pere-Joan. (2019) Drosophila melanogaster as a Host Model to Study Mycobacterial Virulence. Gordon Research Conferences Gordon Research Conference on Tuberculosis Drug Discovery and Development , Casterdefells 2019-07-07 - 2019-07-12
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Academic lectureDragset, Marte Singsås. (2019) Novel Mycobacterial Virulence Genes. IBA (graduate school on infection biology) TTA - Turning the Tide of Antimicrobial Resistance , Oslo 2019-11-17 - 2019-11-21
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Academic lectureDragset, Marte Singsås. (2019) Screening for Mycobacterial Virulence Genes using Drosophila melanogaster . Germans Trias i Pujol Research Institute Coffee Talk at IGTP , Barcelona 2019-04-10 - 2019-04-10
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PosterDragset, Marte Singsås; Ioerger, Thomas R.; Cardona, Pere-Joan. (2019) Drosophila melanogaster as a Host Model to Study Mycobacterial Virulence. CEMIR, NTNU The Second Conference of Molecular Mechanisms of Inflammation , Trondheim 2019-06-03 - 2019-06-06
2018
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Academic lectureDragset, Marte Singsås. (2018) Identification of Virulence Genes by Transposon Insertion Sequencing. Germans Trias i Pujol Research Institute Coffee Talk (weekly seminars) , Badalona, Barcelona 2018-04-11 - 2018-04-11
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Academic lectureDragset, Marte Singsås. (2018) Screening for virulence genes using Drosophila melanogaster. MycoSPAIN BilboTB , CIC bioGUNE, Derio 2018-09-17 - 2018-09-19
2017
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Academic lectureDragset, Marte Singsås. (2017) Transposon Insertion Sequencing to Identify Mycobacterial Virulence Genes. Centre for Molecular Inflammation Research, IKOM, DMF, NTNU. CEMIR Taormina Retreat , Taormina, Sicily 2017-10-16 - 2017-10-19
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Academic lectureDragset, Marte Singsås. (2017) Screening for Mycobacterial Virulence Genes by Transposon Insertions Sequencing. MycoZAR 2017 , Caixa Forum (Calle José Anselmo Clavé, 4, 50004, Zaragoza) 2017-09-28 - 2017-09-29
2016
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PosterDragset, Marte Singsås; Ioerger, Thomas R.; Helland, Maja; Haug, Markus; Marstad, Anne; Klinkenberg, Geir. (2016) A mutant toolbox to study mycobacterial infections. CEMIR, Medical Faculty, NTNU CONFERENCE ON MOLECULAR MECHANISMS OF INFLAMMATION , Trondheim 2016-05-30 - 2016-06-02
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Academic lectureDragset, Marte Singsås. (2016) The Battle for Iron between Mycobacteria and the Host. Department of Pharmacology, University of La Laguna Seminar series at the Medical Faculty , Tenerife 2016-11-04 - 2016-11-04
2014
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LectureDragset, Marte Singsås; Steigedal, Magnus; Flo, Trude Helen; Valla, Svein. (2014) Identification of Genes Involved in Mycobacterial Iron Uptake. Norsk Biokjemisk Selskap NBS Contact Meeting, minisymposium , Røros 2014-01-23 - 2014-01-23
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PosterDragset, Marte Singsås; Zhang, Yanjia; Ioerger, Thomas; Pritchard, Justin; Flo, Trude Helen; Sacchettini, James. (2014) Identification of Mycobacterial Iron Uptake Genes. 9th International Conference on the Pathogenesis of Mycobacterial Infections 2014-06-26 - 2014-06-29
2013
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Academic lectureDragset, Marte Singsås; Steigedal, Magnus; Valla, Svein; Flo, Trude Helen. (2013) Riding the Ferrous Wheel: Identification and Study of Genes Involved in Mycobacterial Iron Acquisition. Department of Biotechnology, NTNU Department seminar at the Department of Biotechnology , Trondheim 2013-11-13 - 2013-11-13
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PosterSteigedal, Magnus; Siegrist, Sloan; Dragset, Marte Singsås; Haug, Markus; Ahmad, Rushdy; Rubin, Eric J. (2013) EspG Contributes to Mycobactin-Mediated Iron Acquisition and Protein Secretion in Mycobacteria. Keystone symposia: Tuberculosis: Understanding the enemy 2013-03-13 - 2013-03-18
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Academic lectureSteigedal, Magnus; Siegrist, Sloan; Dragset, Marte Singsås; Haug, Markus; Ahmad, Rushdy; Rubin, Eric J. (2013) EspG of Esx-3 contributes to Mycobactin-mediated Iron Acquisition and Protein secretion in Mycobacteria. Norwegian Biochemical Society Norwegian Bichemical Society Contact Meeting 2013 , Lillehammer 2013-01-31 - 2013-02-03
2012
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Academic lectureSteigedal, Magnus; Flo, Trude Helen; Haug, Markus; Dragset, Marte Singsås; Awuh, Jane Atesoh; Halaas, Øyvind. (2012) Iron uptake in mycobacteria: Searching for novel drug targets. Department of Biotechnology, NTNU Department seminar at the Department of Biotechnology , Trondheim 2012-04-18 - 2012-04-18
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Popular scientific lectureSteigedal, Magnus; Dragset, Marte Singsås; Haug, Markus; Awuh, Jane Atesoh; Halaas, Øyvind; Marstad, Anne. (2012) Tuberkulose tar millioner av liv. Kan vi finne en løsning?. Forskningsdagene Forskningsdagene: Forsker til lunsj , BUP Saupstad 2012-10-24 - 2012-10-24
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Popular scientific lectureSteigedal, Magnus; Haug, Markus; Halaas, Øyvind; Marstad, Anne; Dragset, Marte Singsås; Awuh, Jane Atesoh. (2012) Tuberkulose tar millioner av liv. Kan vi finne en løsning?. Forskningsdagene Forskningsdagene: Forsker til lunsj , Veterinærinstituttet 2012-09-28 - 2012-09-28
2009
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PosterDragset, Marte Singsås; Steigedal, Magnus; Flo, Trude Helen; Valla, Svein. (2009) Searching future therapies for tuberculosis: Identification of genes involved in /Mycobacterium avium/ intracellular survival in macrophages. NBS kontaktmøte , Røros 2009-01-29 - 2009-02-01