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Daniel Bergman

Presentation
My current work is focused on research within small animal clinical pathology and immunology. I enjoy the diversity and comparative aspects of veterinary medicine; previous work areas include animal welfare and food safety in wild, domesticated and semi-domesticated species, particularly reindeer.
Teaching
Currently lecturing on diagnostic endocrinology and liver blood tests within the clinical pathology part of the "Introduction to clinical studies" course (advanced level within the veterinary programme). Appointed as lecturer on interpretation of immunological assay test results in the course "Basic laboratory quality assurance for PhD projects" (postgraduate level).
Research
Clinical pathology and immunology
Clinical health care and research, especially within the fields of endocrinology and reproduction, is heavily dependent on immunological methods such as ELISA for detection of biologically important analytes. These methods are inherently susceptible to antibody interference, which is a source of erroneous test results and a hazard to patient safety.
In my PhD project I am studying endogenous antibodies (often called "heterophilic antibodies") as a source of immunoassay interference in companion animals, including dogs and cats. There are individual differences in the origin and nature of interfering antibodies, but quite often the etiology is pathological and related to autoimmunity.
The aim of the project is to increase existing knowledge about the prevalence, impact and origin of interfering antibodies in veterinary medicine. My supervisor group consists of Bodil Ström Holst, Helene Hamlin and Anders Larsson.
The project is funded by The Swedish Association for the Protection of Animals, Agria and SKK Research Fund, the Thure F. and Karin Forsberg foundation and the Jan Skogsborg foundation.
Epigenetics
I have previously published reviews on epigenetic disease mechanisms and epigenetic regulation of imprinted genes (genes which are only expressed from one of the two parental alleles). Most of the work was focused on the hormone Insulin-like growth factor 2 (IGF2) and its receptor IGF2R. Out of the approximately 150 examples of imprinted genes known today, these were the first two to be discovered. The work was led by professor Wilhelm Engström.
Boards and committees
Previously chairperson of the VH faculty (VMF) PhD council (2019) and vice chair (2018). I have represented PhD students in various boards and committees, including The Council for PhD education at SLU (FUR) 2017-2018, The Doctoral Education Committee at VH (FUN-VH) 2017-2019, and the Department of Clinical Sciences board 2017-2019.
Background
DVM (Doctor of veterinary medicine), SLU, 2015.
PhD, veterinary medicine science, SLU, 2020. PhD thesis: "Canine heterophilic antibodies".
Supervision
Emma Åhlén, MSc veterinary medicine 2018 (co-supervisor), Camilla Bäckström, MSc veterinary medicine 2020 (main supervisor).
Selected publications
Bergman, D., Bäckström, C., Hansson-Hamlin, H., Larsson, A. & Holst, B. S., 2020. Pre-existing canine anti-IgG antibodies: implications for immunotherapy, immunogenicity testing and immunoassay analysis. Scientific Reports 10:12696, doi: 10.1038/s41598-020-69618-3
Bergman, D., Larsson, A., Hansson-Hamlin, H., Åhlén, E. & Holst, B. S., 2019. Characterization of canine anti-mouse antibodies highlights that multiple strategies are needed to combat immunoassay interference. Scientific Reports 9:14521, doi: 10.1038/s41598-019-51228-3
Bergman, D., Larsson, A., Hansson-Hamlin, H. & Holst, B. S., 2019. Investigation of interference from canine anti-mouse antibodies in hormone immunoassays. Vet Clin Pathol. 48 (Suppl. 1):59–69. doi: 10.1111/vcp.12764
Bergman, D., Larsson, A., Hansson-Hamlin, H., Svensson, A. & Holst, B. S., 2018. Prevalence of interfering antibodies in dogs and cats evaluated using a species-independent assay. Vet Clin Pathol. 47 (2), 205-212, doi:10.1111/vcp.12612
Bergman, D., Halje, M., Nordin, M., Engström, W., 2013. Review: Insulin-like growth factor 2 in development and disease. Gerontology 59 (3), 240-249, doi: 10.1159/000343995
Nordin, M., Bergman, D., Halje, M., Engström, W., Ward, A., 2014. Epigenetic regulation of the Igf2/H19 gene cluster. Cell Prolif 47 (3), 189–199. doi: 10.1111/cpr.12106
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