News archive

Newborns who are placed skin-to-skin with their mother directly after birth show better health outcomes, according to an updated review of extensive research. The contact supports the infant’s basic bodily functions and increases the likelihood of breastfeeding – yet it is still not standard practice in all healthcare systems.

A total of seven researchers at NVS will share 33.2 million SEK in research grants from the Swedish Research Council in the latest calls for proposals.

In the Swedish Research Council's latest call, SEK 17,4 million was awarded to 4 researchers at the Department of Laboratory Medicine for the years 2025-2031.

In the Swedish Research Council's latest call, research grants of SEK 41 950 000 was awarded to eight researchers at the Department of Molecular Medicine and Surgery. We congratulate:

Breast cancer is the most common form of cancer among women, with around 9,600 new cases diagnosed each year in Sweden. The breast cancer can spread to other parts of the body, and the first spread is usually to the lymph nodes that run from the breast to the armpit on the same side. Knowing whether the cancer has spread to these lymph nodes is crucial, as it helps determine the most appropriate treatment.

Dr. Ping Chen at the Department of Laboratory Medicine receives a project grant for her research in endocrinology and metabolism from the Novo Nordisk Foundation. The grant may contribute to reducing the risk of cardiovascular disease over time in people living with the fatty liver disease MASLD.

In the Swedish Research Council's latest call, SEK 62 500 000 was awarded to 12 researchers at the Department of Medicine, Huddinge (MedH) for the years 2025-2031.

The Swedish Research Council has decided on a number of calls for proposals in medicine and health for 2025. A total of just over SEK 1.2 billion will be awarded for the years 2025–2031. KI will receive just over SEK 526 million for 102 grants. KI is also being awarded four grants in natural and engineering sciences, and humanities and social sciences, totalling approximately SEK 18.7 million.

The OECD has published a new guidance document aimed at improving the utility and regulatory uptake of research data in risk assessments of chemicals. The duidance provides practical considerations and recommendations for both risk assessors and researchers.

Hi Francesca Eroli, doctoral student at the Division of Neurogeriatrics. On November 7 november you will defend your thesis ”Toward precision medicine : sex-specific effects of multi-drug therapies in mouse models of aging and Alzheimer's pathology” What is the main focus of the thesis?

Thanks to a generous joint donation from the Lundblad and Thelin families, Karolinska Institutet (KI) has launched a strategic initiative in AI education and training, titled Advances in Artificial Intelligence – AI@KI.

Kathrin Wode, postdoctoral researcher at the Division of Clinical Geriatrics, has been awarded a prestigious prize at the World Congress “3rd World Congress on Traditional, Complementary and Integrative Medicine” in Rio de Janeiro.

It is exciting to announce that NVS has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with IDAC for academic exchange and to further strengthen the academic ties between the two institutions. The MoU was signed on August 11th, 2025, by Professor Maria Ankarcrona, Head of Department, NVS and Professor Kozo Tanaka, Director of IDAC.

Four distinct subgroups of polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) have been identified in an international study published in Nature Medicine by researchers from Karolinska Institutet, among others. The results open up for more tailored treatments for the millions of women living with the disease worldwide.

Around 200 AI enthusiasts – from SMEs, healthcare providers, academia, decision-makers, and service providers for AI development - gathered last week at KI to discuss different aspects of implementing AI in healthcare.

Professor Mona Ståhle has been awarded the Sven Hellerström Medal by the Swedish Society of Medicine for her significant contributions to dermatological research. The award committee highlights how, over four decades, she has been a visionary leader at Karolinska Institutet, particularly in psoriasis research, and has educated an entire generation of clinician-scientists in Sweden

Chronic hypoparathyroidism is a rare disease that occurs when the body does not produce enough parathyroid hormone (PTH). In a new doctoral thesis from Karolinska Institutet, Wafa Kamal, doctoral student at the Department of Molecular Medicine and Surgery, examines how the disease affects patients' lives in the long term.

A new doctoral thesis by Giorgi Beridze, recently published at Karolinska Institutet, sheds light on the relationship between multimorbidity and kidney health in older adults. The research explores how kidney function is ascertained in older adults, how chronic diseases cluster into patterns and how these patterns influence kidney function and the risk of developing albuminuria—a condition marked by the presence of protein in urine, often an early sign of kidney damage.

We congratulate the two researchers from the Department of Medicine, Huddinge who have been awarded grants from Forte (Swedish Research Council for Health, Working life and Welfare).

In 2024, ICT educator Gina Söderlund Nåtfors and her colleagues conducted a manual review of randomly selected course rooms in Canvas, checking various aspects of digital accessibility. Read more about the results and what you can do to create more accessible course rooms in Canvas.

Exercise is known for the positive effects on metabolic diseases, partly because of the release of circulating extracellular vesicles (EVs) that mediate intercellular communication and organ crosstalk. In a new doctoral thesis from Karolinska Institutet, Zhenghao Wang, doctoral student at the Department of Molecular Medicine and Surgery, explores the molecular composition and biofunction of exercise-induced EVs, focusing on their role in health benefits and pancreatic β-cell protection.

Hannes Hegmar from the Gastroenterology and Nutrition Unit (GUT), at the Department of Medicine, Huddinge (MedH) defends his thesis titled "Non-invasive predictors of prognosis in chronic liver disease", on 31 October, 2025. Main supervisor is Hannes Hagström (MedH).

The 50th annual meeting of the Scandinavian Society for Immunology (SSI) took place in Stockholm on 15-17 October. During the conference the SSI Young Investigator Award was presented to recipients from Norway, Sweden, Denmark and Finland.

A new memorandum of understanding has been signed by Karolinska ATMP Center and the ATMP Center Uppsala to deepen their collaboration in the rapidly growing field of advanced therapy medicinal products (ATMPs), which includes cell- and gene-based medicines. The aim is to enhance joint capacity and competitiveness in the Stockholm–Uppsala region.

The arrival of agriculture coincided with a sharp rise in a gene variant that protected against the virus that causes winter vomiting, researchers from Karolinska Institutet and Linköping University report after analysing DNA from over 4,300 prehistoric individuals and cultivating ”mini guts”.

Hi Anahita Amirpour, doctoral student at the Division of Nursing. On November 20 you will defend your thesis "Assessment and identification of cognitive changes after surgery in older adults". What is the main focus of the thesis?

On 14–15 October 2025, Karolinska Institutet (KI) and Makerere University in Uganda celebrated 25 years of partnership advancing global health, research, and education. The milestone also marks the 5th anniversary of the jointly established Centre of Excellence for Sustainable Health (CESH) — a platform for promoting sustainable health and equitable global partnerships.

Breakthrough cryo-EM structures expose multiple drug targets in an essential HSV-1 replication protein.

Fitness amongst young adults varies widely from one country to another, and is strongly associated with both socioeconomic development and gender equality, a new study from Karolinska Institutet published in the Journal of Sport and Health Science reports. The results indicate that levels of development and gender equality in a society can affect differences in physical capacity and therefore public health in general.

By analyzing large amounts of data, researchers at Karolinska Institutet have developed a system for classifying individuals into different risk groups for atherosclerosis. The results enable early detection of the disease, which can lead to personalized preventive care.

Thirteen medical professionals from the First Hospital of Lanzhou University, China, recently spent an intensive week at Karolinska Institutet, diving into clinical research methodology from a global public health perspective. The professional education course offered a dynamic mix of lectures, discussions, and collaborative learning.

Researchers at Karolinska Institutet and Umeå University have investigated how the protein HIF2α affects neuroblastoma, a severe form of childhood cancer. The results show that high levels of HIF2α can reduce the growth of tumor cells and promote their maturation into a less aggressive cell type.

Leif Lundblad, entrepreneur, inventor and honorary doctor at Karolinska Institutet, has died at the age of 87. He is survived by his wife Irene and daughter Ulrika and family.

The Aging Research Centre (ARC), one of Sweden’s leading research centres looking into the health and living conditions of older people is celebrating its 25th anniversary. With its multidisciplinary research and broad-based collaborations, the ARC contributes to a deeper understanding of ageing and how society can promote a more favourable environment for a dignified and healthy old age.

A new study from Karolinska Institutet suggests that some widely used heartburn medications may be linked to kidney problems over time. Researchers followed nearly 300,000 patients for up to 15 years to explore how these drugs might affect kidney and heart health.

Several colleagues and affiliates from the Aging Research Centre (ARC) recently participated in the 21st European Geriatric Medicine Society (EuGMS) Congress, held from 24 to 26 September 2025 at the Harpa Concert Hall and Conference Centre in Reykjavík, Iceland. This year’s congress, themed “New Landscapes in Geriatric Medicine”, brought together experts from across Europe and beyond to address the evolving challenges and innovations in the care of older adults.

Living in a neighbourhood where people feel safe and supported is linked to a reduced risk of psychosis among Stockholm residents – but only for people of Swedish or European origin. This is shown in a new study from Karolinska Institutet and UCL published in the journal Nature Mental Health. For people of North African or Middle Eastern origin, an increased risk of psychosis was seen in the same neighbourhoods.

Paediatric allergist and KI researcher Caroline Nilsson has been awarded this year's Mogren Prize in Medicine, Sweden's largest prize for clinically active doctors. The prize money of SEK 250,000 is motivated by her work to link patient encounters directly to research, which has a life-changing effect on children with severe food allergies.

Researchers at Karolinska Institutet have discovered how cells can adjust their gene activity to survive when oxygen runs low. The study, published in Nature Cell Biology, reveals that cells use a previously unknown mechanism to control which proteins are produced – and how quickly.

A new study from Karolinska Institutet, published in npj Precision Oncology, shows that support cells in the adrenal gland can regenerate hormone-producing tissue after birth. The same cells may also act as a starting point for adrenal tumors, offering new insights into cancer development and potential treatment strategies.

Nearly 240 participants gathered in the Eva & Georg Klein Hall at Karolinska Institutet on 14 October to mark the 50th anniversary of the discovery of natural killer (NK) cells. The full-day symposium featured presentations on scientific advances, offering both historical reflections and future outlooks.

Medical digital twins are computerised versions of patients, enabling different treatments to be tested and the most effective one identified, without any risk to the patient’s health. And in the future, we will each have our own, according to researcher Mikael Benson.

Drugs targeting the glucagon-like peptide 1 receptor (GLP-1R) offer several positive effects for individuals with type 2 diabetes, including the lowering of blood glucose and the reduction of body weight and of cardiovascular risk. In a study in mice, researchers at KI SÖS and Södersjukhuset have shown that the specific weight loss properties of these treatments are key to also improve neurological recovery after suffering from stroke.

The KI Housing office is closed on Friday, October 31, due to the All Saints´ Day holiday. If you have any urgent maintenance issues when the office is closed, we ask you to use the on-call service for your area.

The Nordic Health Crises University Network aims, among other things, to strengthen interdisciplinary collaboration between Nordic universities in the field of health crises. Over the next two years, it will be possible to apply for funding for a short-term exchange. The visits should focus on health crises, last between 2–6 weeks, and the total cost may not exceed SEK 30,000.
Welcome to an information meeting on November 5!

A new international study led by researchers at Karolinska Institutet demonstrates that it is possible to detect subtle changes in the brain and identify early signs of hereditary frontotemporal dementia using advanced brain imaging techniques. The study has recently been published in Molecular Psychiatry.

At the installation ceremony for KI’s 22 new professors, Aula Medica was filled with music, laughter and academic pride. The annual professorial installation is as much a tribute to knowledge, diversity and research as it is a ceremonial occasion. Also honoured during the evening were the recipients of various awards, including KI’s Grand Silver Medal, Silver Medal and the Lennart Nilsson Award.

When KI's inauguration ceremony was held on Thursday, October 9, NVS Head of Department Maria Ankarcrona was present to honor three distinguished individuals from NVS during the reception following the stage program.

Researchers at Karolinska Institutet have discovered that some natural killer cells, NK cells, temporarily reside in our organs and then leave them via the lymphatic system. The study, published in Nature Immunology, shows that our immune system is more dynamic than previously thought. The results may contribute to better treatments that direct the immune system where it is needed.

Infective endocarditis following valve surgery is a rare but life-threatening infection. In a new doctoral thesis from Karolinska Institutet, PhD student Lisa Bearpark from the Department of Molecular Medicine and Surgery investigates which patient groups are at particular risk for infective endocarditis.