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More than 2,700 applications for KI's 20 assistant professor positions focused on excellence

Karolinska Institutet's record-breaking international recruitment of 20 assistant professors focused on excellence has been a great success. With over 2,700 applications from 1,560 researchers in 89 countries, the initiative has had an impact that strengthens KI's position as one of Europe's most attractive medical universities.

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New study

Smells deceive the brain – are interpreted as taste

Flavoured drinks without sugar can be perceived as sweet – and now researchers know why. A new study from Karolinska Institutet reveals that the brain interprets certain aromas as taste.

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New study

Even healthy children can be severely affected by RSV

It is not only premature babies and children with underlying diseases who suffer from serious RSV infections. Even healthy, full-term babies are at significant risk of intensive care or prolonged hospitalisation – especially during the first three months of life.

Photo: Yanan Li/Silviahemmet

H.M. The Queen awards KI-trained dementia specialists

Seven physicians, five occupational therapists, and five physiotherapists were awarded diplomas by H.M. The Queen during a formal ceremony at Drottningholm Court Theatre. The ceremony marked the completion of the Master's courses in dementia care developed by Karolinska Institutet in close collaboration with Stiftelsen Silviahemmet.

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ERC Starting Grant

Two KI researchers awarded prestigious ERC Starting Grant

Erik Benson och Arvid Guterstam, both assistant professors at Karolinska Institutet, have been awarded the prestigious ERC Starting Grant from the European Research Council. With the grant, they will have the opportunity to realise groundbreaking research projects in DNA nanotechnology for improved drug delivery, and the brain's social functions that may be of great importance for future diagnosis and understanding of autism.

The Conversation

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Do heart attack patients still need beta blockers? A cardiologist explains

Beta blockers have long been prescribed to almost everyone who has suffered a heart attack, but new research shows that their effect depends on the heart's pumping capacity. While some patients clearly benefit from the treatment, it appears to be unnecessary—or even risky—for others. Read the news article in The Conversation.

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Online therapy as effective as in-person mental health care

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Gene therapy restores hearing in congenital deafness

Photo: B Henrique Pixabay

Young people want adults to be involved in their digital lives

Young people have a nuanced view of how their digital lives affect their mental health and want more support and involvement from the adults around them, according to a new international study.

Theme: Osteoporosis in Medicinsk Vetenskap

Photo: Jens Magnusson

Healthcare fails to treat osteoporosis

A common yet seriously undertreated condition, osteoporosis, is a widespread condition where the healthcare system often falls short. Researchers are now investigating why so many patients slip through the cracks and miss out on treatment that could prevent further serious fractures. The long-term goal is to offer treatment even before the first fracture occurs. First published in Medicinsk Vetenskap no 3 2025.

Photo: Ulf Sirborn

Fragile bones can be detected during mammography

Can osteoporosis be detected in images taken for purposes other than fractures? According to radiologist Torkel Brismar, the answer is yes. He has explored this question in several studies. First published in Medicinsk Vetenskap no 3 2025.

Photo: Martin Stenmark

Vera Berg suffered recurring bone fractures

She suffered from recurring fractures. But today, Vera Berg leads an active life thanks to medication for osteoporosis. First published in Medicinsk Vetenskap no 3 2025.

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Collaboration

KI researcher spotlight multimorbidity in older people in new WHO report

Older people suffering from multiple chronic diseases, known as multimorbidity, are a rapidly growing challenge for the healthcare sector. Despite this, multimorbidity has been given little attention in global public health efforts. KI researcher Davide Liborio Vetrano participated in the World Health Organisation's (WHO) work on a report that focuses on the problem.

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New study

No support for dual antiplatelet therapy after cardiac bypass surgery

Dual antiplatelet therapy after cardiac bypass surgery is no more effective than acetylsalicylic acid alone and also increases the risk of serious bleeding, a new study shows.

Helicobacter pylori bacteria in the stomach

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New study

Some heart attack patients can benefit from screening for stomach ulcer bacteria

Not all acute myocardial infarction patients should be offered routine screening for the stomach ulcer bacterium Helicobacter pylori. However, it is possible that some patient groups with an elevated risk of post-infarction gastrointestinal bleeding benefit from such a test, concludes a study published in JAMA.

Grants, prizes and donations

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Generous donation enables KI research on osteoporosis

KI is investing SEK 50 million in research into osteoporosis for better diagnostics, treatment and prevention. The large investment is made possible by a generous donation from Ebbe and Lena Krook. Part of the donation will finance a new endowment professorship at KI in the subject.

Portrait of Gonçalo Castelo-Branco in Biomedicum.

Photo: Ulf Sirborn

Gonçalo Castelo-Branco awarded prestigious ERC Proof of Concept grant

Professor Gonçalo Castelo-Branco has been awarded the ERC Proof of Concept grant by the European Research Council (ERC). This grant could lead to a fundamental change in personalised treatments for diseases such as cancer and multiple sclerosis. This is the third time Gonçalo Castelo-Branco has been awarded an ERC grant.

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Pete Williams new professor of vision science through generous donation

Pete Williams, senior lecturer and research group leader at the Department of Clinical Neuroscience, has been appointed professor of visual science. The professorship is funded by the Ulla and Ingemar Dahlberg Foundation.

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The Swedish Brain Foundation funds 39 research projects at KI

The Swedish Brain Foundation (Hjärnfonden) is making its largest donation to date to Swedish brain research. A total of 112 research projects in Sweden receive funding, and 39 of these are run at KI.

Photo: Johan Gunseus

ERC grant for world-leading glaucoma research at KI

Glaucoma is the most common cause of irreversible blindness and affects 80 million people around the world. Pete Williams, researcher at Karolinska Institutet and St Erik Eye Hospital, has now been awarded a prestigious ERC Advanced Grant for his work on new treatments for the disease.

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New study

Metabolic syndrome linked to increased risk of Parkinson's disease

People with metabolic syndrome are at increased risk of developing Parkinson's disease, according to a new study. The findings highlight the importance of early detection and treatment of metabolic risk factors.

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New study

How mutations in bodily tissues affect ageing

Two studies from Karolinska Institutet have investigated how mutations that occur in muscles and blood vessels over time can affect ageing. The results can be of significance to the treatment of age-related diseases.

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New doctoral thesis

Parents with poorer health are disadvantaged by parental insurance

Generous parental insurance can improve the mental health of new parents. However, the way the insurance is designed risks excluding those who need the support most. This is shown in a new doctoral thesis.

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Ranking

KI remains in the top 50 in this year’s Shanghai Ranking

With a ranking that has varied between 37th and 45th place over the past five years, KI once again secures a top-50 position in this year's Shanghai Ranking.

Photo: Nobel Prize museum

Take part in inspiring activities during Nobel Calling Stockholm

During the first week of October, Karolinska Institutet and the Nobel Prize Museum invite you to inspiring events in the spirit of knowledge, which are open to the public. Take part in thought-provoking and educational meetings to celebrate progress, new ideas and discoveries. The events are free of charge.

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Free Ahmadreza Djalali

UN call for the release of KI researcher Ahmadreza Djalali

Important statement from United Nations: ”Iran must release Ahmadreza Djalali, an Iranian-born resident of Sweden, who has been arbitrarily detained since 2016 despite repeated warnings about his deteriorating health.”

Alina Lapp, Maureen Verdier, Teresa Reindl and Katharina Schormair smiling in the street at the parade holding rainbow flags.

Photo: Fredrik Persson.

Best day of summer with Academic Pride

The most important party of the summer took place on 2 August when KI's students, alumni and staff danced in the colourful Pride parade in Stockholm.

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The dirt we breathe - air pollution claims millions of lives

Air pollution is one of the most significant health threats in the world. In Sweden, air quality is improving, but in other parts of the world, the trend is going in the wrong direction. First published in Medicinsk Vetenskap no 2 2025.

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Elusive knowledge about the smallest particles

Toxicologist Hanna Karlsson investigates the health effects of the tiniest particles in the air. Those found in Barcelona’s harbour appear to be more inflammatory than others. First published in Medicinsk Vetenskap no 2 2025.

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Bus, bike or walk – which is the dirtiest mode of transport

Anne-Sophie Merritt, a researcher at the Institute of Environmental Medicine, has investigated how much air pollution people are exposed to depending on their mode of transport. First published in Medicinsk Vetenskap no 2 2025.

Photo: Martin Stenmark

Liselott Florén: "Traffic makes my asthma worse"

People with asthma are particularly sensitive to air pollution, which can exacerbate their symptoms. Here, Liselott Florén explains how air quality affects her daily life. First published in Medicinsk Vetenskap no 2 2025.

Photo: Martin Stenmark

Maria Bragesjö wants to help more people with PTSD

Treatment for post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is effective and can cure the majority of those affected, according to psychologist and researcher Maria Bragesjö, who introduced the treatment method to Sweden. First published in the magazine Medicinsk Vetenskap no 2 2025.

Photo: Science Photo Library,Sciene Photo Library

How mini organs can answer difficult research questions

Researchers are getting better at growing miniature organs and embryos in test tubes or on chips. This creates new opportunities for answering research questions while reducing the need for animal testing in some cases. First published in the magazine Medicinsk Vetenskap no 2 2025.

Photo: Liza Simonsson

Updates from the University Management

Selected top publications

Cancer screening saves lives – without increasing the risk of dying from other diseases
Lei et al, JAMA Network Open, August 2025

A new way to map CRISPR DNA targets directly in human cells
Zheng et al, Nature Biomedical Engineering, August 2025

Internet-based therapy shows strong effects for stress-related disorders
Hedman-Lagerlöf et al, Psychotherapy and Psychosomatics, June 2025

New study maps causes of death in people with skin lymphoma
Brauner et al, British Journal of Dermatology, June 2025

How our cells untie "DNA knots" to protect our genetic material
Elsässer et al, Science, June 2025

More high-impact publications

KI in the media (Swedish only)

Research subjects wanted

Information regarding the war in Ukraine

On this page you will find information for staff and students concerning Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.

More than 2,700 applications for KI's 20 assistant professor positions focused on excellence

Smells deceive the brain – are interpreted as taste

Even healthy children can be severely affected by RSV

H.M. The Queen awards KI-trained dementia specialists

Two KI researchers awarded prestigious ERC Starting Grant

The Conversation

Do heart attack patients still need beta blockers? A cardiologist explains

Online therapy as effective as in-person mental health care

Gene therapy restores hearing in congenital deafness

Popular weight-loss drugs linked to rare but serious eye conditions

More articles by KI researchers published in The Conversation

Young people want adults to be involved in their digital lives

Theme: Osteoporosis in Medicinsk Vetenskap

Healthcare fails to treat osteoporosis

Fragile bones can be detected during mammography

Vera Berg suffered recurring bone fractures

KI researcher spotlight multimorbidity in older people in new WHO report

No support for dual antiplatelet therapy after cardiac bypass surgery

Some heart attack patients can benefit from screening for stomach ulcer bacteria

Grants, prizes and donations

Generous donation enables KI research on osteoporosis

Gonçalo Castelo-Branco awarded prestigious ERC Proof of Concept grant

Pete Williams new professor of vision science through generous donation

The Swedish Brain Foundation funds 39 research projects at KI

ERC grant for world-leading glaucoma research at KI

Metabolic syndrome linked to increased risk of Parkinson's disease

How mutations in bodily tissues affect ageing

Parents with poorer health are disadvantaged by parental insurance

KI remains in the top 50 in this year’s Shanghai Ranking

Take part in inspiring activities during Nobel Calling Stockholm

UN call for the release of KI researcher Ahmadreza Djalali

Best day of summer with Academic Pride

The dirt we breathe - air pollution claims millions of lives

Elusive knowledge about the smallest particles

Bus, bike or walk – which is the dirtiest mode of transport

Liselott Florén: "Traffic makes my asthma worse"

Maria Bragesjö wants to help more people with PTSD

How mini organs can answer difficult research questions

Updates from the University Management

Selected top publications

KI in the media (Swedish only)

Research subjects wanted

Information regarding the war in Ukraine