| Karolinska Institutet

Queen Silvia's birthday present – a day about dementia research

On 30 January, a symposium on dementia was held in honour of HM Queen Silvia at Karolinska Institutet. The event was part of the "experience gift" that KI presented in connection with the Queen’s 80th birthday.

Grants, prizes and donations

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Promobilia foundation supports KI research on treatments for age-related visual impairment

Fellow-KI researchers Anders Kvanta and Fredrik Lanner have been awarded a grant of SEK 10 million from the Promobilia foundation to develop a treatment for inherited retinal diseases, such as retinitis pigmentosa (RP), and age-related macular degeneration (AMD).

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ERC Proof of Concept grant for research into improved global vaccines

Professor Gunilla Karlsson Hedestam and her research group have been awarded a Proof of Concept grant by the European Research Council (ERC) to investigate how vaccines can be adapted to genetic variations in people around the world. Their research paves the way for more effective protection against disease on a global scale.

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Glaucoma researcher Pete Williams receives grant from American foundation

Pete Williams, researcher at Karolinska Institutet and St. Erik Eye Hospital, has been awarded a research grant from the American Glaucoma Foundation to develop a treatment for glaucoma and other eye diseases. With the grant of USD 75,000 (SEK 840,000), the Foundation wants to recognize groundbreaking, innovative glaucoma research. This is the second time Pete Williams has received the grant.

Cell held by a pipette and a needle. 3D rendering.

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The Knut and Alice Wallenberg Foundation supports life science research at KI

Ten innovation projects in life sciences have received grants within the Knut and Alice Wallenberg Foundation's and SciLifeLab's Proof-of-Concept Program. Four of the projects are run by researchers at Karolinska Institutet. The Proof-of-Concept Program aims to bridge the gap from academic research to innovations in the life sciences.

Photo: Liza Simonsson

Eight KI researchers receive grants from the Asthma and Allergy Association's Research Fund

This year, the Asthma and Allergy Association's Research Fund is distributing SEK 8.8 million to important asthma and allergy research. Eight of the researchers who receive grants work at Karolinska Institutet.

A iberian ribbed newt in the water on a pieace of wood.

Photo: Shahul Hameed, Simon lab

New study

Mapping of a gigantic salamander genome reveals secrets of regeneration

Researchers have mapped the genome of the Iberian ribbed newt and revealed how the composition and organization of the DNA are linked to its ability to regenerate entire body parts, according to a new study.

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New study

Preterm babies receive insufficient pain management

A large proportion of babies born very early need intensive care, which can be painful. But the healthcare system fails to provide pain relief to the full extent. This is shown by the largest survey to date of pain in neonatal care.

Photo: Stefan Zimmerman

In memory of Professor Eva Klein (1925–2025)

Eminent cancer researcher and Karolinska Institutet professor Eva Klein has passed away at the age of 99. She is survived by her and her late husband Georg Klein’s three children. Eva Klein won numerous prizes and awards over the years for her important discoveries in cancer research. She was elected onto the Royal Swedish Academy of Science in 1987.

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KI improves its position in Times Higher Education's subject rankings

Times Higher Education in the UK has published its World University Rankings by Subject 2025. The ranking is based on both hard data and reputation surveys. KI improves its position in several categories.

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New study

Treatment for children with obesity has lasting effect

When children with obesity undergo weight-loss treatment, the effects have repercussions later in life and the risk of serious health problems and premature death is lower as they reach young adulthood. However, this is not the case for depression and anxiety, a study from Karolinska Institutet published in JAMA Pediatrics reports.

A child with cancer is sitting on a hospital bed

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New study

Study paves way for new immunotherapies for childhood cancers

Researchers at Karolinska Institutet and the Astrid Lindgren Children’s Hospital have determined how children’s immune systems react to different kinds of cancer depending on their age. The findings have the potential to lead to new tailored treatments for children with cancer.

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New study

Good footballers are quick-witted but not always agreeable

The ability to plan several steps ahead and promptly adapt to a rapidly changing environment is essential to being an elite footballer. The new research also shows that it helps not to always be so agreeable.

Medicinsk Vetenskap

Photo: Arad Golan Coll

Radiotherapy charged with new energy

Radiotherapy is a cornerstone of cancer care. However, in recent decades, Sweden has fallen behind in this area, both in terms of healthcare resources and research. Medicinsk Vetenskap has interviewed researchers who want to continue developing a bright idea.

Photo: Privat

Radiopharmaceuticals being tested for brain tumours in children

Neuroblastoma is a rare disease that affects children, often before the age of two. Some are born with the disease. Paediatric surgeon Jakob Stenman is investigating whether targeted radioactive drugs can slow down the disease in those with the most severe form.

Photo: Privat

Local radiation effective against early rectal cancer

Radiation oncologist Alexander Valdman conducts research at the Department of Oncology-Pathology at Karolinska Institutet. He works to ensure that patients with rectal cancer experience fewer side effects from their treatment.

Photo: Hanna Brunlöf Windell,EXPRESSEN

Louise Karlsson: "More people need to know that radiation can damage the lungs"

When Louise Karlsson was treated for breast cancer, she suffered radiation damage to her lung. Now she wants more people to know that it can happen.

Photo: Martin Stenmark

Loke received radiotherapy as a child

As a child, Loke Lassen underwent harsh treatment, including whole-body radiotherapy. Today she lives with the side effects of the treatment that saved her life.

Symbolic illustration of AI: A human figure in cross-section in the foreground, showing the brain and spine. The figure is surrounded by ones and zeros, patterns and colors.

Photo: Gerd Altmann/Pixabay CC0

Artificial intelligence

Spotlight on: AI in medicine and health

Artificial intelligence (AI) is being tested in several medical fields, such as identifying breast cancer from mammograms or making an initial assessment of patients in emergency care. But the potential applications are many – and research is ongoing to make AI both safe and useful in healthcare. Here is a collection of some articles about researchers and research projects in this field at Karolinska Institutet.

The Conversation

Photo: Sara Bakhshi

Nine reasons why the myth that vaccines cause autism persists

From a research perspective, there is little left to discover about vaccines used in long-standing nationwide vaccine programmes, such as polio, measles, and rubella. So why do suspicions that vaccines cause autism remain? Professor Sven Bölte presents nine reasons in The Conversation.

Rebecca Angelif and Lisa Risberg dancing during the Pride Parade.

Photo: Fredrik Persson

Sexual identity more fluid than previously thought

A new study challenges long-held beliefs about sexual identity as unchanging over time. It shows that nearly 16 per cent of the study's participants redefined their sexual identity over a 12-year period, writes researcher Willi Zhang in The Conversation.

Photo: Martin Stenmark

Hyperbaric chamber treatment may alleviate PTSD

Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is common in military veterans but can affect anyone who has suffered or witnessed an extreme physical or emotional event, and it is very hard to treat. Novel treatments are urgently needed. A recent study has been showing promise with an unusual treatment: hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT).

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Eight reasons why ADHD diagnoses are increasing

The rate of children diagnosed with ADHD has increased significantly in recent years. In an article in The Conversation, KI Professor Sven Bölte explains why this is the case.

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Small structures can explain severe illness

Professor Anna Wredenberg wants to understand in detail how the body works. That is why she delves into the unknown world of mitochondria. For patients with hereditary genetic diseases, this could mean a long-awaited diagnosis.

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Mucus and snot - more important than you think

When you hear the words mucus and snot, you might think of colds, snails or drooling babies. But the runny, sometimes sticky substance often plays a vital role in our lives. And mucus also has potential to be a medicine.

Photo: Emma Hanquist

A clearer picture of ADHD: focus on function

Over the past 15 years, the number of ADHD diagnoses has risen sharply in Sweden. Is this development reasonable? And what might be the cause? Whilst asking these questions, researchers would also like us to focus less on the diagnosis and more on the functional capacity of people with ADHD.