https://ki.se RSS News Listing https://news.ki.se/rapid-sequencing-method-offers-same-day-detection-of-antibiotic-resistance Researchers at Karolinska Institutet have developed a rapid and cost efficient sequencing method that can identify antibiotic resistance within the same working day. The technique, called s5PSeq, measures how bacterial ribosomes respond within minutes after exposure to an antibiotic, offering a molecular readout of growth instead of waiting for traditional cultures. Mon, 16 Mar 2026 08:49:55 +0100 https://news.ki.se/ki-researcher-ute-romling-elected-to-the-american-academy-of-microbiology Professor Ute Römling at the Department of Microbiology, Tumor and Cell Biology is, among 63 fellows, elected to the American Academy of Microbiology. Wed, 18 Feb 2026 12:22:51 +0100 https://news.ki.se/in-memory-of-professor-tore-midtvedt Professor Tore Midtvedt, Oslo, passed away on December 2nd at the age of 91. He is mourned by his wife Kari, his sons Karsten, Per and Öyvind with their families, as well as a large circle of grandchildren, great-grandchildren and extended family. Fri, 19 Dec 2025 14:13:30 +0100 https://news.ki.se/birgitta-henriques-normark-awarded-japanese-order On 3 November, the Government of Japan announced that Birgitta Henriques Normark, professor at the Department of Microbiology, Tumor and Cell Biology at Karolinska Institutet, has been awarded the “Order of the Rising Sun, Gold and Silver Star”. The award honors her contributions to promoting academic exchange and mutual understanding between Japan and Sweden. The Order of the Rising Sun was Japan's first award, established in 1875. Thu, 13 Nov 2025 14:44:38 +0100 https://news.ki.se/novo-nordisk-foundation-grant-for-ki-researcher-in-type-2-diabetes Amir Ata Saei, assistant professor at the Department of Microbiology, Tumor and Cell Biology has been awarded the Novo Nordisk Foundation Excellence Emerging Investigator Grant within Endocrinology and Metabolism 2025. Fri, 23 May 2025 15:23:15 +0200 https://news.ki.se/the-svedberg-prize-2025-to-ki-researcher-michael-landreh The 2025 Svedberg Prize is awarded to Michael Landreh, Department of Microbiology, Tumor and Cell Biology at Karolinska Institutet, "for the development and innovative use of mass spectrometric tools that reveal hidden protein interactions." Mon, 05 May 2025 16:55:43 +0200 https://news.ki.se/patricia-colque-has-passed-away Patricia Colque, a long-time co-worker at the Department of Microbiology, Tumor and Cell Biology at Karolinska Institutet, passed away earlier this week at the age of 77 years. Thu, 30 Jan 2025 13:54:29 +0100 https://news.ki.se/how-sars-cov-2-exploits-human-proteins-to-replicate Researchers at Karolinska Institutet have discovered how the SARS-CoV-2 virus, which causes COVID-19, manipulates human proteins to replicate and evade the immune system. The results have been published in the scientific journal Nature Communications. Thu, 05 Dec 2024 16:51:43 +0100 https://news.ki.se/new-method-for-deep-plasma-proteome-profiling In a recent study published in Nature Communications, scientists at the Department of Microbiology, Tumor and Cell Biology at Karolinska Institutet, in collaboration with Michigan State University, have introduced an innovative approach to improve plasma proteome profiling. The method enables the detection of low-abundance proteins in plasma. Fri, 08 Nov 2024 16:40:00 +0100 https://news.ki.se/a-few-samples-reveal-imbalances-in-vaginal-health A new study published in Microbiome by researchers at Karolinska Institutet, suggests that a few well-timed samples could help predict long-term imbalances in vaginal health, which is linked to various health issues. Tue, 27 Aug 2024 12:32:38 +0200 https://news.ki.se/findings-reveals-gut-microbes-arsenal-against-pathogens A study conducted by researcher Juan Du's research group at the Karolinska Institutet sheds light on the capabilities of our gut microbes and their metabolites. The findings reveal potent inhibitory effects on the growth of antibiotic-resistant bacteria and suggest interactions and signaling between gut microbes and pathogens. Mon, 03 Jun 2024 11:19:14 +0200 https://news.ki.se/lisa-westerberg-appointed-professor Lisa Westerberg has been appointed Professor of Experimental Immunology at the Department of Microbiology, Tumor and Cell Biology from 1 January 2024. Mon, 22 Jan 2024 10:50:26 +0100 https://news.ki.se/ki-researcher-birgitta-henriques-normark-elected-to-iva KI researcher Birgitta Henriques Normark is a newly elected fellow of IVA (the Royal Swedish Academy of Engineering Sciences). IVA works to build bridges between academia, business and politics, and promotes people's ability to make a positive contribution to society through technical and economic sciences. Wed, 13 Dec 2023 11:09:39 +0100 https://news.ki.se/new-study-reveals-unexpected-consequences-of-crispr-cas9-gene-editing A new study by Claudia Kutter’s research group at the Department of Microbiology, Tumor and Cell Biology (MTC) has identified potential pitfalls in the use of the gene editing technique CRISPR-Cas9, a gene scissors that is used for cancer treatments. Tue, 21 Nov 2023 08:36:26 +0100 https://news.ki.se/the-consolidator-grant-from-the-swedish-research-council-awarded-to-georgios-sotiriou The Consolidator Grant within Medicine and Health from the Swedish Research Council has been awarded to Georgios Sotiriou at the Department of Microbiology, Tumor and Cell Biology at Karolinska Institutet. The project aims to develop a holistic therapy of chronic wounds using nanoengineered solutions. Wed, 15 Nov 2023 12:17:06 +0100 https://news.ki.se/over-49-million-sek-from-the-swedish-research-council-to-researchers-at-mtc In the Swedish Research Council's (VR) latest call for medicine and health 2023, research grants of 49 645 000 SEK were distributed to 11 researchers at the Department of Microbiology, Tumor and Cell Biology, for the years 2023-2028. Tue, 07 Nov 2023 14:12:59 +0100 https://news.ki.se/professor-jan-albert-appointed-pandemic-inquiry-chair The government has appointed Jan Albert, professor of infectious disease control at Karolinska Institutet and senior consultant at Karolinska University Hospital, to lead a government inquiry looking into strengthening the country’s preparedness for future pandemics. The directive concerns a national strategy for how pandemics are to be managed and a possible revision of the Communicable Diseases Act. The investigation should be delivered in February 2025. Wed, 06 Sep 2023 13:42:34 +0200 https://news.ki.se/grant-awarded-to-susanne-nylen-group-for-research-on-skin-related-neglected-tropical-diseases Susanne Nylén at the Department of Microbiology, Tumor and Cell Biology at KI, is leading a project that has been awarded a four-year grant from the Dutch foundation Dioraphte for research on the pathogenesis of post-kala-azar dermal leishmaniasis (PKDL) and leprosy. The total amount awarded is 850 000 euros. Fri, 18 Aug 2023 09:27:10 +0200 https://news.ki.se/study-finds-a-new-biomarker-that-can-effect-therapy-for-the-treatment-of-various-cancers KI researcher Yihai Cao and his research group at the Department of Microbiology, Tumor and Cell Biology, have defined a new biomarker for predicting drug resistance of antiangiogenic therapy for the treatment of various cancers. The study is published in PNAS. Tue, 11 Jul 2023 08:21:24 +0200 https://news.ki.se/inexpensive-and-efficient-nanosensors-can-rapidly-detect-pesticides-in-fresh-orange-juice KI researchers Georgios Sotiriou and Haipeng Li at the Department of Microbiology, Tumor and Cell Biology have developed an inexpensive, fast, and reproducible manufacturing process of nanosensors for food safety diagnostics. A new study in Chemical Engineering Journal shows that the sensors can detect pesticides in fresh orange juice. Tue, 04 Jul 2023 13:40:19 +0200 https://news.ki.se/review-article-focuses-on-the-development-of-the-next-generation-of-drugs In a recently published article published in Nature Reviews Drug Discovery, Professor Yihai Cao’s research group at the Department of Microbiology, Tumor and Cell Biology, charts the information about drug development for the treatment of a number of human diseases by targeting new blood vessel formation. Thu, 13 Apr 2023 16:34:13 +0200 https://news.ki.se/first-detailed-description-of-helicobacter-infected-individuals The first detailed description of the microbiota and immune cells among asymptomatic Helicobacter pylori-infected individuals has been published by researchers at Karolinska Institutet. The results of the study will be instrumental to understand the complex microbiome and immunity network and provide new insights for asymptomatic Helicobacter pylori infection. Thu, 23 Feb 2023 10:03:12 +0100 https://news.ki.se/study-sheds-new-light-on-the-link-between-oral-bacteria-and-diseases Researchers at Karolinska Institutet have identified the bacteria most commonly found in severe oral infections. Few such studies have been done before, and the team now hopes that the study can provide deeper insight into the association between oral bacteria and other diseases. The study is published in Microbiology Spectrum. Thu, 24 Nov 2022 09:00:05 +0100 https://news.ki.se/innovative-coating-on-medical-devices-fights-bacterial-infections Georgios Sotiriou, principal researcher at the Department of Microbiology, Tumor and Cell Biology, and his colleagues have developed a durable coating for medical devices which is activated by light, providing on-demand disinfection. The findings are presented in a publication in Chemical Engineering Journal. Tue, 01 Nov 2022 16:47:17 +0100 https://news.ki.se/swiss-grant-to-research-about-colorectal-cancer Sylvain Peuget, assistant professor at the Department of Microbiology, Tumor and Cell Biology at Karolinska Institutet and his team has received 250,000 USD from the Swiss Bridge Foundation. The grant is aimed for continued research to investigate what role that certain bacteria in our intestinal flora play in the development and progression of colorectal cancer. Tue, 01 Nov 2022 16:20:28 +0100 https://news.ki.se/article-provides-evidence-that-energy-metabolism-and-biofilm-formation-regulation-are-intertwined-in-bacteria In a recently published article in the journal Trends in Microbiology, author Alberto J. Martin-Rodriguez, Senior Research Specialist at the Department of Microbiology, Tumor and Cell Biology at Karolinska Institutet, explains how he found that distinct bacterial strains selectively use respiration for surface colonization. Tue, 06 Sep 2022 15:01:07 +0200 https://news.ki.se/new-microchip-with-specifications-for-screening-and-high-resolution-imaging In a study recently published in Cell Reports Methods, co- authors Björn Önfelt, Niklas Sandström and Valentina Carannante, researchers at SciLifeLab and the Department of Microbiology, Tumor and Cell Biology at Karolinska Institutet, describes a new miniaturized method for high-content screening combined with high-resolution imaging, all in the same microchip. Mon, 18 Jul 2022 17:00:04 +0200 https://news.ki.se/new-type-of-pneumococcal-vaccine-developed-by-ki-scientists Researchers at Karolinska Institutet have identified a new vaccine candidate against pneumococci, bacteria that can cause pneumonia, sepsis, and meningitis. The vaccine molecules comprise nano-sized membrane vesicles produced by the bacteria and provide protection in mice, a new study published in PNAS reports. Thu, 02 Jun 2022 09:38:02 +0200 https://news.ki.se/new-findings-in-the-vaginal-microbiome A new study shows that the menstrual phase has effects on the microbiome. “This will be very important for planning future studies, both in basic science and for interventions aiming to improve the vaginal microbiome”, corresponding author Ina Schuppe Koistinen at the Department of Microbiology, Tumor and Cell biology at Karolinska Institutet, says. Fri, 13 May 2022 10:15:36 +0200 https://news.ki.se/new-discovery-of-an-enzyme-that-breaks-down-lipids Researchers at Karolinska Institutet recently published a study in NPJ Biofilms and Microbiomes, that describes the findings of an enzyme that breaks down lipids. Wed, 11 May 2022 11:14:56 +0200 https://news.ki.se/ben-murrell-awarded-the-svedberg-prize-2022 The Svedberg prize 2022 is awarded to Ben Murrell, Department of Microbiology, Tumor and Cell Biology, for his work characterizing antibody responses to viruses, especially the virus SARS-CoV-2. Mon, 28 Mar 2022 08:26:25 +0200 https://news.ki.se/new-publication-enterobacteria-impair-host-p53-tumor-suppressor-activity-through-mrna-destabilization The Selivanova's group at MTC recently established a multidisciplinary collaboration together with Dr. Marie-Stéphanie Aschtgen, microbiologist in the Henriques-Normark groups (also at MTC) to study the interplay between bacteria and cancer, focusing on how specific bacterial systems influence host tumor supressors. Together they recently got their first collaborative paper accepted in Oncogene, entitled "Enterobacteria impair host p53 tumor suppressor activity through mRNA destabilization". Tue, 01 Mar 2022 16:51:56 +0100 https://news.ki.se/study-shows-how-meningitis-causing-bacteria-may-sense-fever-to-avoid-immune-killing Researchers at Karolinska Institutet have discovered a mechanism through which meningitis-causing bacteria can evade our immune system. In laboratory tests, they found that Streptococcus pneumoniae and Haemophilus influenzae respond to increasing temperatures by producing safeguards that keep them from getting killed. This may prime their defenses against our immune system and increase their chances of survival, the researchers say. The findings are published in PLoS Pathogens. Thu, 29 Apr 2021 20:00:05 +0200 https://news.ki.se/new-insights-on-how-immune-cells-are-recruited-and-reprogrammed-to-drive-tumor-development Researchers at Karolinska Institutet show how a certain type of immune cells, macrophages, can be recruited into breast cancer tumors, where they are reprogrammed to support and drive tumor growth. In a study published in the scientific journal PNAS, they describe that low levels of the tumor suppressor protein TAp73 lead to hyperactivation of NFkB signaling and an inflammatory condition in breast cancer as well as secretion of molecules that recruit tumor-promoting macrophages into the tumor. Tue, 02 Mar 2021 09:36:17 +0100 https://news.ki.se/new-study-explains-important-cause-of-fatal-influenza It is largely unknown why influenza infections lead to an increased risk of bacterial pneumonia. Researchers at Karolinska Institutet have now described important findings leading to so-called superinfections, which claim many lives around the world every year. The study is published in the journal PNAS, Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, and can also contribute to research on COVID-19. Wed, 25 Nov 2020 08:58:22 +0100 https://news.ki.se/stomach-bacteria-may-increase-bleeding-risk-in-patients-treated-for-heart-attack A new study from Karolinska Institutet shows that 1 in 5 patients admitted for acute myocardial infarction are infected with Helicobacter pylori and that it is possible to introduce screening for this bacterium in routine care. The results are published in the American Heart Journal. The researchers are now planning a large randomised trial to find out whether screening and treatment of the infection reduces the risk of stomach bleeding and improves cardiovascular outcomes in this patient group. Fri, 13 Nov 2020 08:15:08 +0100 https://news.ki.se/georgios-sotiriou-receives-the-2020-smoluchowski-award Georgios Sotiriou, Researcher at the Department of Microbiology, Tumor and Cell Biology receives the Smoluchowski award for his research contribution to the fields of aerosol science and technology. The award consists of a certification and a personal prize of 2.000 €. Mon, 12 Oct 2020 12:14:35 +0200 https://news.ki.se/federico-iovino-awarded-the-bjarne-ahlstrom-minnesfonds-pris-2020-for-research-in-clinical-neurology KI researcher Federico Iovino has been awarded the Bjarne Ahlström's Minnesfonds pris 2020 (Bjarne Ahlström’s Memorial Fund Prize 2020) for his research in Clinical Neurology and on the study of inflammatory mechanisms that affect the function of the central or peripheral nervous system. The prize which consists of SEK 1000,000 is awarded annually and is distributed partly as an individual prize of SEK 50,000, partly as a research grant of SEK 950,000. Tue, 22 Sep 2020 15:19:22 +0200 https://news.ki.se/hit-to-lead-studies-on-a-novel-series-of-small-molecule-inhibitors-of-dhodh The enzyme dihydroorotate dehydrogenase (DHODH), an essential component for the de novo pyrimidine ribonucleotide biosynthesis, has reemerged in the last few years as a target for the development of small molecules with anticancer and antiviral activity. Fri, 17 Apr 2020 12:03:05 +0200 https://news.ki.se/inflammation-makes-suppressive-lymphocytes-switch-role-to-support-autoimmunity Researchers from Karolinska Institutet in collaboration with a lab in San Antonio USA, have uncovered how a specific population of lymphocytes promotes autoimmune disease by giving up their regulatory role in the immune system. The newly discovered mechanism is published in PNAS from research led by Dr. Saikiran Sedimbi and Prof. Mikael Karlsson. Fri, 17 Apr 2020 08:29:14 +0200 https://news.ki.se/washing-proteins-with-soap-reveals-new-clues-for-drug-development Using a trick involving detergent and mass spectrometry, a research group has been able to wash and weigh protein molecules to determine which lipids make the protein work. The findings may help design molecules that stick to individual membrane proteins and pave the way for the development of new drugs including antibiotics and cancer therapies. The study is published in Angewandte Chemie International Edition. Tue, 07 Jan 2020 13:53:35 +0100 https://news.ki.se/newly-discovered-immune-cells-contribute-to-toxic-shock Recently discovered immune cells called MAIT cells play a key role in group A streptococcal toxic shock, researchers at Karolinska Institutet report. The results, which are published in the journal PNAS, have potential implications for the diagnosis and treatment of this life-threatening condition. Mon, 25 Nov 2019 21:00:00 +0100 https://news.ki.se/first-project-to-create-atlas-of-human-microbiome The five-year Million Microbiome of Humans Project (MMHP) is now underway, as KI researchers begin leading the efforts to construct a genome atlas of the human microbiome. Fri, 15 Nov 2019 14:17:45 +0100 https://news.ki.se/immune-cells-in-skin-kill-mrsa-bacteria-before-they-enter-the-body A type of immune cell called neutrophils could be responsible for controlling bacterial numbers of an antibiotic-resistant strain of Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) on human skin before the bacteria get a chance to invade, according to a new study from Karolinska Institutet published in Cell Reports. The results could provide an explanation for why this superbug is only carried transiently by some people. Tue, 29 Oct 2019 11:11:53 +0100 https://news.ki.se/mapping-the-gut-flora-of-hiv-patients-can-lead-to-new-therapies Mon, 25 Sep 2017 08:00:00 +0200 https://news.ki.se/new-way-of-preventing-pneumococcal-brain-invasion An international team of researchers, led from Karolinska Institutet, has identified two receptors on the cells in the blood vessels of the brain that can be blocked and thereby prevent pneumococci from entering the brain. The study, which is published in The Journal of Experimental Medicine, shows that the use of antibodies that block the receptors can potentially be used as a new therapeutic strategy for pneumococcal meningitis. Wed, 17 May 2017 16:13:24 +0200 https://news.ki.se/cold-can-help-burn-dangerous-fat Fri, 24 Feb 2017 10:53:53 +0100 https://news.ki.se/how-autoimmune-disease-is-prevented-mechanism-discovered Mon, 31 Oct 2016 13:50:36 +0100 https://news.ki.se/ki-scientists-present-new-research-on-childhood-neuroblastoma Tue, 12 Jul 2016 09:41:26 +0200 https://news.ki.se/special-properties-of-pneumococci-affect-their-ability-to-cause-meningitis Mon, 27 Jun 2016 22:00:00 +0200 https://news.ki.se/cancer-can-be-combated-with-reprogrammed-macrophage-cells Thu, 19 May 2016 18:00:00 +0200