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The Nobel prize 2024

The 2024 Nobel laureates in Physiology or Medicine (from left) Gary Ruvkun and Victor Ambros.

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The Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine 2024: “A groundbreaking discovery that has finally been rewarded”

Gary Ruvkun and Victor Ambros share this year's Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine. They are being awarded for their discovery of microRNAs, which play a crucial role in the development of complex organisms. Research is underway at Karolinska Institutet on how these small molecules can be applied clinically.

The 2024 Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine is awarded to Victor Ambros and Gary Ruvkun

Photo: Cecilia Odlind

The Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine 2024 to Victor Ambros and Gary Ruvkun

The Nobel Assembly at Karolinska Institutet has decided to award the 2024 Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine jointly to Victor Ambros and Gary Ruvkun for the discovery of microRNA and its role in post-transcriptional gene regulation.

The 2024 Nobel laureates in Chemistry are announced: David Baker (University of Washington, USA), Demis Hassabis (Google DeepMind, UK) and John M Jumper (Google DeepMind, UK).

Photo: Foto: Christine Olsson/TT,TT NYHETSBYRÅN

The Nobel Prize in Chemistry helps us understand the building blocks of life

David Baker, USA, has succeeded in creating entirely new proteins – the building blocks of life that control all biological processes in the body. He shares the Nobel Prize in Chemistry 2024 with Demis Hassabis and John M. Jumper of Google DeepMind, UK, who have developed the AI tool AlphaFold. “Now it can take minutes instead of years to get a good idea of what a protein looks like and how it may function,” says KI professor Luca Jovine, who intitiated a collaboration with DeepMind early on.

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Don't miss Nobel Calling 2024

In October the recipients of the Nobel Prizes are announced. In connection with this, the Nobel Prize Museum organizes inspirational events and instructive meetings in collaboration with, among others, Karolinska Institutet. The full programme can be found here.

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The extraordinary life of Alfred Nobel

Alfred Nobel, the inventor and entrepreneur has left a lasting legacy with the annual prizes he established in 1901 for physics, chemistry, physiology or medicine, literature and peace. But life wasn’t always so illustrious for Alfred Nobel, writes Professor Jonas F. Ludvigsson in The Conversation.

Photo: Fredrik Persson

Academic ceremony

New KI professors will be sharing their knowledge with future generations

Centre stage at this year’s professorial installation ceremony at KI were stately academic tradition, prestigious medals and evocative entertainment – as well as intergenerational mingling between KI researchers and students at a much-appreciated hot dog truck outside Aula Medica on a chilly October evening.

Sylvie le Guyader, senior research infrastructure specialist, at the microscope in the darkened laboratory.

Photo: Martin Stenmar

New titles for the hidden specialists behind KI's research

They work with highly specialised equipment for facilities that they have often built up themselves. Although not themselves researchers, their expertise, experience and international contacts render them indispensable for research at KI. A year ago, new titles were created for this important category of employee.

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New study

New study shows how muscle energy production is impaired in type 2 diabetes

A new study shows that people with type 2 diabetes have lower levels of the protein that breaks down and converts creatine in the muscles. This leads to impaired function of the mitochondria, the 'powerhouses' of the cell.

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Ranking

KI retains top spot in THE ranking

When Times Higher Education in the UK publishes its ranking of the world's best universities, KI is ranked 49th out of more than 2,000 universities in 115 countries. This means that KI has the highest ranking in the Nordic region.

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New study

Key molecule in wound healing identified

A new study from Karolinska Institutet and the Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences has identified an RNA molecule that is important for skin wound healing. The research may have implications for the treatment of hard-to-heal wounds.

Photo: Martin Stenmark

Ylva Trolle Lagerros receives Sweden's only professorship in prevention

A new donation professorship in prevention is being established at Karolinska Institutet. It will be named Prince Daniel's Professorship in Cardiovascular Prevention and will be awarded to researcher and obstetrician Ylva Trolle Lagerros, who took up the position on 1 October. The aim is to reduce the incidence of cardiovascular diseases in Sweden.

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New study

New hope for patients with chronic pain

KI researchers have developed a comprehensive mapping of genetic activity for understanding the causes of chronic pain. The study opens way to more efficient non-addictive treatment for chronic pain and potentially headache disorders.

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New study

New cardiovascular disease risk marker discovered in older women

Researchers have identified a new potential risk marker for cardiovascular disease in women. A new study shows an association between low levels of an anti-inflammatory antibody and the risk of heart attack and coronary heart disease.

Grants, prizes and donations

A mans standing in the entrance to a tent. The tent is a field hospital

Photo: Jorge Durand

KTH Great Prize to Johan von Schreeb

Johan von Schreeb, professor of Global Disaster Medicine at Karolinska Institutet, is awarded KTH Great Prize 2024 "for his efforts to reduce suffering in the world".

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Two innovation environments at KI win Vinnova grants

Vinnova is investing in precision medicine and awarding grant funding to six innovation environments. Two of them are at Karolinska Institutet, and both focus on treating cancer. The aim of the grants is to fund efforts to bring greater precision to the diagnosis and treatment of common diseases.

Illustration of doctors examining an artery.

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Prize for study showing new cause behind vascular complications in type 2 diabetes

The Swedish Society of Medicine (SLS) awards researchers John Pernow and Aida Collado Sánchez at Karolinska Institutet with the Alvarenga Prize 2024. The laureates are rewarded for a research article on a study that shows a new cause behind vascular complications in type 2 diabetes and possible future treatment to prevent this.

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KI researchers lead a pilot HPV self-screening programme in Ukraine

Cervical cancer ranks as the fourth most common cause of cancer-related deaths among women, despite the disease being largely preventable. Now, researchers from Karolinska Institutet have received funding from the UICC to investigate how an HPV self-screening programme can be implemented in war-torn Ukraine.

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Six ERC Starting Grants awarded to KI researchers

The European Research Council (ERC) has announced this year’s recipients of Starting Grants for young scientists and scholars across Europe. Six project applications submitted by researchers from Karolinska Institutet have secured grants totalling 9.8 million Euro – an important recognition for KI.

Photo: Fredrik Persson

KI Biobank turns 20: “A goldmine for researchers”

The KI Biobank in Solna turns 20 this year. No fewer than 8.5 million samples from 750,000 individuals are preserved in its freezers. “The biobank is absolutely crucial to meeting tomorrow’s research needs,” says Sanela Kjellqvist, head of the KI Biobank.

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Ranking

KI one of Sweden's 100 most attractive employers

For the third year in a row, Karolinska Institutet has been placed on the list of Sweden's 100 most attractive employers according to students and young academics. This is in fierce competition with, among others, Ikea, Google, Spotify and Astra Zeneca. This is shown by the annual Young Professional Attraction Index.

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Ranking

KI climbs in annual reputation survey

When the research company Verian presents this year's reputation index for universities and colleges, KI has increased by four points. With an estimate of 70, KI is well above the average of 63.

Photo: Lars Svankjær

Lectureship

This year's Ulf von Euler Lectureship with Jens Juul Holst

This year's Ulf von Euler Lecture ‘Treatment of Metabolic Diseases with Gut Hormones’ will be given by Jens Juul Holst, Professor of Medical Physiology at the Department of Biomedical Sciences, and Senior Group Leader at the Novo Nordisk Foundation Centre for Basic Metabolic Research, both at the University of Copenhagen. The lecture will take place on 8 November.

The Conversation

Microscopic of Neural network Brain cells, Human nervous system.

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How a common infection tricks the immune system into attacking the brain

Epstein-Barr virus infection appears to be a major risk factor for developing multiple sclerosis (MS). Research from Karolinska Institutet brings us closer to understanding why some people get MS and may contribute to the development of better treatments and even cures.

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Go with the flow for better health

New research seems to confirm that regular flow, losing yourself in time and space during an activity, has positive health effects. For example, lower risk of cardiovascular disease and depression. At the same time, there are factors that complicate this picture. What is clear, however, is that what brings us joy is good for us.

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The gender-equality paradox: Psychological sex differences defy social change

In an equal opportunity country with a good economy, women and men should have increasingly similar characteristics and interests. But the reality is much more complex than that.

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Erections: what we learned from mice could help with sexual health in men

Researchers have delved into the role of penile fibroblasts, the most abundant cells in the human penis, about which little was previously known.

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Who will live to 100?

Those who wish to live to 100 cannot rely on chance. Instead, it is essential to keep biomarkers associated with ageing and disease in check. By the age of 60, it may already be too late.

Photo: Fredrik Persson

Get to know the new KI professors

On 3 October, 18 new professors were inaugurated at Karolinska Institutet during a formal ceremony in Aula Medica. The installation ceremony is one of the highlights of the academic calendar. Read the interviews with them taken from the booklet ‘From Cell to Society 2024’, which was handed out at the ceremony.

Photo: Martin Stenmark

Petter Brodin wants to understand your immune system

Is your immune system functioning as it should? The question is not as simple to answer as one might think. Professor Petter Brodin is trying to understand more about it. At the same time, he hopes to help patients that are severely affected with post-COVID and other conditions where the regulation of the immune system is not working.