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COMMENTARY: The prosecutor decided on Thursday to terminate the preliminary investigation into Paolo Macchiarini concerning the transplantation of artificial tracheae and other operations performed at Karolinska University Hospital, where he had been employed as a surgeon.

Atherosclerosis and valvular heart disease are common causes of heart conditions. Magnus Bäck is researching the molecular mechanisms which cause atherosclerosis and valvular heart disease, and how they can be turned to clinical benefit.

MedTechLabs is now open – the research centre formed by a close collaboration between Karolinska Institutet (KI), the Royal Institute of Technology (KTH) and Stockholm County Council (SLL). The objective of the centre’s first project is to develop technology to improve diagnosis and treatment of patients who have, for example, suffered a stroke.

Ingrid Kockum is researching into multiple sclerosis, MS, and is leading the major international collaboration MultipleMS. By combining many different types of data, the project will generate increased knowledge on various types of MS and how to better adapt the treatment to different patient groups.

Richard Rosenquist Brandell conducts research into how leukaemias arise, and how genetic markers can be used to assess prognosis and to select the most effective treatment. His research focusses primarily on chronic lymphatic leukaemia, CLL.

Thomas Nyström is researching into cardiovascular disease in patients with diabetes. His interests are focused on the intestinal hormone GLP-1. This is used as a diabetes drug, but has also been shown to have a protective effect on the blood vessels, heart and brain.

Magnus Nilsson conducts research on better treatments against cancer of the oesophagus and stomach. The objective is both to make the treatments more effective and save more lives, and to make them less invasive and contribute to the quality of life of the patient.

The use of bariatric surgery (surgery for weight loss) has increased dramatically in recent decades. Martin Neovius is studying how effective this type of surgery is, its associated risks and its cost effectiveness. One important element is the study of whether the obesity-related risks associated with pregnancy and delivery change after bariatric surgery.

Stephan Mielke is working in the field of cancer immunotherapy – how cancer cells can be attacked by using the immune system. His research focuses on exploiting the potential of the patient’s own immune system as well as on improved methods for transplanting blood stem cells from another person.

Johan Ärnlöv is studying kidney disease and its relationship with cardiovascular disease. He is involved in international consortiums that are mapping kidney disease globally. Ärnlöv is also conducting research on new biomarkers for early renal disease and an increased risk of cardiovascular disease.

Jan Zedenius is investigating cancer in the thyroid gland. He wants to understand the differences between various forms of the disease and how to detect these differences early so that all patients receive the treatment that suits them best.

Lennart Blomqvist researches cancer imaging. His thesis on MRI – magnetic resonance imaging – of rectal cancer has contributed to the widespread use of the technique that enables better treatment selection and outcome for these patients. He has also helped to develop a method for the measurement of segmental liver function using MRI.

This year’s Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine has been awarded for work dedicated to the connection between celestial body movements and molecular fluctuations in our cells. Or, in simpler terms, to our internal biological clocks, also known as our circadian rhythm.

Forte, the Swedish Research Council for Health, Working Life and Welfare, has announced the granted applications in the call ”Research in ageing and health”. Three researchers from Karolinska Institutet (KI), all active at the Department of Neurobiology, Care Sciences and Society (NVS), were granted in total SEK 14 920 000.

The Knut and Alice Wallenberg Foundation (KAW) have granted close to SEK 108 million to four research projects at Karolinska Institutet. In total this year, the Foundation has granted SEK 560 million to 18 research projects, which are considered to be of the highest international class, and offering potential for future scientific breakthroughs.