Nobel Conference brought together leading researchers in microglia research
On 28–29 May, Nobel Conference No. 72 was held at the Nobel Forum at Karolinska Institutet. The conference, organised by Professor Bertrand Joseph at the Institute of Environmental Medicine (IMM) and Professor Klas Blomgren at Department of Women's and Children's Health, brought together leading international researchers to discuss microglia – the brain’s resident immune cells – and their roles in both normal brain function and disease.
Microglia play a central role in brain development, function and defense. Research in this field has advanced rapidly over recent decades, linking microglia to a wide range of neurological and psychiatric disorders.
The conference featured presentations on the role of microglia in brain development, neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer’s disease, neuropsychiatric disorders, and brain tumors. Several talks also highlighted how microglia may serve as promising targets for future therapies.
Karolinska Institutet played a prominent role in the scientific programme, with six presentations delivered by KI researchers. The conference also brought together scientists from most Swedish universities alongside international experts in the field.
A special highlight was a historical lecture by Juan del Río-Hortega, great-nephew of the Spanish neuroscientist Pío del Río-Hortega, who first described microglia more than a century ago.
By bringing together basic and clinical researchers from different disciplines, the conference strengthened collaboration and knowledge exchange in a research field that is of great importance for understanding brain health and disease.
