https://ki.se RSS News Listing https://news.ki.se/even-healthy-children-can-be-severely-affected-by-rsv It is not only premature babies and children with underlying diseases who suffer from serious respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) infections. Even healthy, full-term babies are at significant risk of intensive care or prolonged hospitalisation – especially during the first three months of life. This is according to a comprehensive registry study from Karolinska Institutet published in The Lancet Regional Health – Europe. Wed, 10 Sep 2025 01:30:11 +0200 https://news.ki.se/covid-19-linked-to-increased-asthma-risk-vaccine-offers-protection People who have had COVID-19 are at increased risk of developing certain inflammatory diseases of the airways, such as asthma, hay fever and chronic sinusitis. However, vaccination against the SARS-CoV-2 virus appears to reduce the risk, according to a comprehensive epidemiological study led by researchers at Karolinska Institutet. Thu, 14 Aug 2025 11:24:34 +0200 https://news.ki.se/the-fenyo-prize-for-2024-awarded-to-daniel-sheward The Swedish Society for Virology has awarded the Pandemifonden Fenyö Prize for 2024 to Daniel Sheward, Assistant Professor at the Department of Microbiology, Tumor and Cell Biology, Karolinska Institutet. Tue, 15 Jul 2025 16:19:18 +0200 https://news.ki.se/a-gene-variant-increases-the-risk-of-long-covid An international team of researchers has found a genetic link to long-term symptoms after COVID-19. The identified gene variant is located close to the FOXP4 gene, which is known to affect lung function. The study, published in Nature Genetics, was led by researchers at Karolinska Institutet in Sweden and the Institute for Molecular Medicine Finland. Wed, 21 May 2025 18:18:28 +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/long-covid-biomarkers-found-associated-with-respiratory-problems Researchers at Karolinska Institutet have identified biomarkers in the blood associated with symptoms of long COVID, particularly severe respiratory disorders. The discovery can pave the way for future diagnosis and treatment. The results are published in the scientific journal Nature Immunology. Wed, 30 Apr 2025 17:00:10 +0200 https://news.ki.se/researchers-get-a-shot-of-their-own-vaccine They are among the first in Sweden to be vaccinated against the chikungunya virus - a vaccine that is the result of a discovery from their own laboratory. Mon, 28 Apr 2025 12:27:45 +0200 https://news.ki.se/jan-albert-submits-proposals-to-improve-pandemic-preparedness-to-the-government A law to quickly limit the spread of infection in the event of a pandemic and research efforts to strengthen Sweden's pandemic preparedness and close knowledge gaps in the event of new outbreaks. This was included in the interim report from the Inquiry on Strengthening Future Infection Control, which KI Professor Jan Albert submitted to the government yesterday. Thu, 24 Apr 2025 13:28:01 +0200 https://news.ki.se/genes-combined-with-immune-response-to-epstein-barr-virus-increase-ms-risk In multiple sclerosis (MS), antibodies to the common Epstein-Barr virus can accidentally attack a protein in the brain and spinal cord. New research shows that the combination of certain viral antibodies and genetic risk factors can be linked to a greatly increased risk of MS. The study has been published in the journal PNAS and led by researchers at Karolinska Institutet, Sweden, and Stanford University School of Medicine, USA. Mon, 10 Mar 2025 20:00:13 +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/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. Wed, 04 Dec 2024 09:39:45 +0100 https://news.ki.se/ai-method-for-detecting-biliary-tract-cancer-on-ivas-100-list The Royal Swedish Academy of Engineering Sciences (IVA) has published this year's 100 list of the most promising research projects from Sweden's colleges and universities. All applications to the list have been reviewed by IVA's expert group and the selected projects are considered to have great potential to benefit society. The list includes several projects involving researchers at Karolinska Institutet. Thu, 14 Nov 2024 17:18:09 +0100 https://news.ki.se/benjamin-nilsson-payant-and-egle-kvedaraite-awarded-the-jonas-soderquist-scholarship-2024 The Committee for Research at Karolinska Institutet has decided on recipients from the Jonas Söderquist scholarship foundation for basic research in virology and immunology. The awarded are Benjamin Nilsson Payant at the Department of Microbiology, Tumor and Cell Biology and Egle Kvedaraite at the Department of Medical Biochemistry and Biophysics. Thu, 14 Nov 2024 10:48:13 +0100 https://news.ki.se/lower-hpv-vaccination-coverage-among-girls-with-mental-health-conditions Girls with mental illness or neurodevelopmental conditions are less likely than their peers to be vaccinated with the HPV vaccine that protects against future cervical cancer. This is according to a new registry study from Karolinska Institutet published in The Lancet Public Health. Thu, 29 Aug 2024 07:00:12 +0200 https://news.ki.se/post-covid-not-necessarily-a-barrier-to-exercise People suffering from post-COVID have been discouraged from exercising because early observations suggested it could be harmful. In a study published in JAMA Network Open, researchers from Karolinska Institutet show that post-COVIDdoes not mean that exercise must be strictly avoided. Thu, 04 Apr 2024 17:34:51 +0200 https://news.ki.se/new-study-shows-how-the-crimean-congo-haemorrhagic-fever-virus-enters-our-cells Researchers at Karolinska Institutet, in collaboration with JLP Health and others, have identified how the tick-borne Crimean-Congo haemorrhagic fever virus enters our cells. The results are published in Nature Microbiology and are an important step in the development of drugs against the deadly disease. Thu, 28 Mar 2024 17:00:12 +0100 https://news.ki.se/pradeepa-pushparaj-is-awarded-sven-gards-scholarship-2024 Pradeepa Pushparaj wrote her thesis at the Department of Microbiology, Tumor and Cell Biology. She is awarded Sven Gard´s scholarship for the best theses in virology during 2023. Tue, 12 Mar 2024 12:09:05 +0100 https://news.ki.se/ki-researchers-receive-grant-of-sek-19-million-for-research-on-long-covid Two researchers at Karolinska Institutet have been awarded grants from the PolyBio Research Foundation totalling USD 1.85 million dollars (SEK 19 million) for research into long COVID. It is hoped that the studies will provide valuable insights that can promote the development of more efficacious treatments for long COVID, which is still a puzzling condition. Fri, 23 Feb 2024 14:22:00 +0100 https://news.ki.se/covid-vaccine-for-pregnant-women-safe-for-newborn-infants No increased risks for babies, and for some serious neonatal complications lower risks. This is the result of the largest study to date on the safety of newborn babies whose mothers were vaccinated against COVID-19 during pregnancy. The study is a collaboration between Swedish and Norwegian researchers and is published in the journal JAMA. Tue, 06 Feb 2024 17:00:13 +0100 https://news.ki.se/nasal-spray-with-antibodies-could-prevent-covid-19 Researchers at Karolinska Institutet have shown that nasal drops with IgA antibodies can protect mice from SARS-CoV-2 infection. The results imply a new way to protect individuals at high risk from different variants of the SARS-CoV-2 virus and possibly other infections. The study is published in PNAS. Wed, 10 Jan 2024 09:36:29 +0100 https://news.ki.se/gut-microbes-can-affect-covid-vaccine-response Researchers from Karolinska Institutet have discovered that the gut microbiome can influence how well people respond to mRNA COVID vaccines. The study, published in the journal npj Biofilms and Microbiomes, suggests that certain bacteria in the gut can enhance the immune response to the vaccine, whereas other bacteria may weaken it. Thu, 04 Jan 2024 11:22:14 +0100 https://news.ki.se/new-covid-vaccine-induces-good-antibody-response-to-mutated-viral-variants Researchers at Karolinska Institutet and Danderyd Hospital have followed recipients of the new updated COVID-19 vaccine and analysed the antibody response to different SARS-CoV-2 variants. The results show a surprisingly strong response to the now dominant and highly mutated Omicron variants. [This news article has been updated] Fri, 22 Dec 2023 12:10:37 +0100 https://news.ki.se/tessa-campbell-benedikt-strunz-and-takuya-sekine-are-awarded-the-jonas-soderquist-scholarship-2023 The Committee for Research at Karolinska Institutet has decided on recipients from the Jonas Söderquist scholarship foundation for basic research in virology and immunology. Thu, 09 Nov 2023 11:34:18 +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/marcus-buggert-awarded-anders-jahres-prize-for-young-researchers Assistant professor Marcus Buggert at Karolinska Institutet is awarded Anders Jahre's prize for young researchers 2023 and 400.000 NOK. Tue, 13 Jun 2023 16:28:01 +0200 https://news.ki.se/ki-developed-covid-vaccine-able-to-recognise-mutated-virus-now-being-tested-on-humans A new DNA-based COVID-19 vaccine is now being tested for the first time on healthy volunteers at Karolinska University Hospital. The vaccine has been developed at Karolinska Institutet and target multiple parts of the virus, making it less vulnerable to mutated strains and potentially effective against new variants. Tue, 13 Jun 2023 11:38:13 +0200 https://news.ki.se/previous-smallpox-vaccine-provides-immunity-to-mpox Vaccines against smallpox given until the mid-1970s offer continuing cross-reactive immunity to mpox (previously known as monkeypox), researchers from Karolinska Institutet report in a study published in the scientific journal Cell Host & Microbe. Tue, 23 May 2023 14:33:29 +0200 https://news.ki.se/new-study-explains-how-a-common-virus-can-cause-multiple-sclerosis Researchers at Karolinska Institutet have found further evidence for how the Epstein-Barr virus can trigger multiple sclerosis or drive disease progression. A study published in Science Advances shows that some individuals have antibodies against the virus that mistakenly attack a protein in the brain and spinal cord. Wed, 17 May 2023 20:24:27 +0200 https://news.ki.se/common-cold-gives-children-immunity-against-covid-19 During the pandemic, it became clear that children who contracted COVID-19 became less ill than adults. One hypothesis has been that common colds would give children immunity protecting against a severe form of the disease. Researchers at Karolinska Institutet are now able to show that OC43, one of the coronaviruses that cause common colds, boosts the immune response to COVID-19. The study, which is published in PNAS, could give rise to more tailored vaccine programmes for children and adults. Wed, 15 Mar 2023 07:25:58 +0100 https://news.ki.se/katie-healy-and-sebastian-ols-are-the-recipients-of-sven-gards-scholarship-2023 Katie Healy at the Department of Dental Medicine and Sebastian Ols at the Department of Medicine in Solna, receive the Sven Gard's scholarship 2023. Sven Gard's scholarship is awarded annually for the best dissertation in virology. The scholarship takes place as a result of nomination. Fri, 10 Mar 2023 14:00:59 +0100 https://news.ki.se/mucosal-antibodies-in-the-airways-provide-durable-protection-against-sars-cov-2 High levels of mucosal IgA antibodies in the airways protect against SARS-CoV-2 infection for at least eight months. Omicron infection generates durable mucosal antibodies, reducing the risk of re-infection. These are the findings of a study published in The Lancet Infectious Diseases by researchers at Karolinska Institutet and Danderyd Hospital in Sweden. The results raise further hope for the feasibility of future nasal vaccine platforms to protect against infection. Mon, 16 Jan 2023 17:38:43 +0100 https://news.ki.se/new-findings-on-how-to-avert-excessive-weight-loss-from-covid-19 Losing too much weight when infected with COVID-19 has been linked to worse outcomes. Now, researchers at Karolinska Institutet have discovered that SARS-CoV-2 infection fuels blood vessel formation in fat tissues, thus revving up the body’s thermogenic metabolism. Blocking this process by using an existing drug curbed weight loss in mice and hamsters that were infected with the virus, according to the study published in the journal Nature Metabolism. Thu, 08 Dec 2022 17:00:05 +0100 https://news.ki.se/common-medicine-can-stop-the-transmission-of-hiv-infection-from-mother-to-child Antiviral drugs almost completely reduce the risk of mothers passing on HIV infection to their children, even in a low-income country with a high HIV incidence such as Tanzania, according to a new study in The Lancet HIV by researchers from Karolinska Institutet. The discovery raises hopes of achieving the World Health Organization’s goal of eliminating the spread of infection from mother to child. Thu, 08 Dec 2022 08:41:40 +0100 https://news.ki.se/blood-group-can-predict-risk-of-contracting-viral-disease The risk of being infected by parvovirus is elevated in those people who have blood group Rh(D), according to a study published in The Journal of Infectious Diseases by researchers from Karolinska Institutet in collaboration with Octapharma. Fri, 25 Nov 2022 15:41:14 +0100 https://news.ki.se/researchers-may-have-found-a-new-biomarker-for-acute-covid-19 Researchers at Karolinska Institutet have shown that patients with acute COVID-19 infection have increased levels of the cytokine IL-26 in their blood. Moreover, high IL-26 levels correlate with an exaggerated inflammatory response that signifies severe cases of the disease. The findings, which are presented in Frontiers in Immunology, indicate that IL-26 is a potential biomarker for severe COVID-19.   Thu, 17 Nov 2022 09:39:50 +0100 https://news.ki.se/quirin-hammer-and-daniel-sheward-are-awarded-the-jonas-soderquist-scholarship-year-2022 The Committee for Research at Karolinska Institutet has decided on recipients from the Jonas Söderquist scholarship foundation for basic research in virology and immunology 2022. Quirin Hammer at the Department of Medicine, Huddinge (MedH) and Daniel Sheward at the Department of Microbiology, Tumor- and Cell Biology (MTC)) are awarded. Thu, 10 Nov 2022 12:43:25 +0100 https://news.ki.se/new-omicron-subvariant-largely-evades-neutralizing-antibodies A study at Karolinska Institutet shows that the coronavirus variant BA.2.75.2, an Omicron sublineage, largely evades neutralizing antibodies in the blood and is resistant to several monoclonal antibody antiviral treatments. The findings, published in the journal The Lancet Infectious Diseases, suggest a risk of increased SARS-CoV-2 infections this winter, unless the new updated bivalent vaccines help to boost immunity in the population. Fri, 14 Oct 2022 07:29:05 +0200 https://news.ki.se/hugo-zeberg-on-his-nobel-prize-awarded-colleague-ive-learnt-a-lot-from-him Many people were delighted to hear that Professor Svante Pääbo has been awarded the 2022 Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine, particularly so Hugo Zeberg, researcher at Karolinska Institutet. He has collaborated with Svante Pääbo for years, not least on the work to find Neanderthal genes that can influence how ill different people become after contracting the COVID-19 virus. Mon, 03 Oct 2022 18:43:55 +0200 https://news.ki.se/positive-effects-of-omega-3-on-the-immune-system-in-cases-of-severe-covid-19-0 Intravenous treatment with omega-3 fatty acids in elderly hospitalised patients in intensive care due to COVID-19 seems to have positive effects on the ability of the immune system to cope with the virus, according to a study from Karolinska Institutet. In the future, the study, published in the journal Clinical and Translational Medicine, could lead to a complementary, cost-effective treatment for COVID-19. Thu, 29 Sep 2022 15:40:44 +0200 https://news.ki.se/higher-risk-of-serious-covid-19-complications-in-children-with-immunodeficiency Children with certain immunodeficiency diseases carry mutations in genes that regulate the body’s immune system against viral infections and they have a higher mortality rate due to COVID-19. This is according to a study by researchers from Karolinska Institutet, published in the Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology. Fri, 16 Sep 2022 14:00:07 +0200 https://news.ki.se/mucosal-antibodies-in-the-airways-protect-against-omicron-infection High levels of mucosal antibodies in the airways reduce the risk of being infected by omicron, but many do not receive detectable antibodies in the airways despite three doses of the SARS-CoV-2 vaccine. These are the findings of a study published in The New England Journal of Medicine, led by researchers at Karolinska Institutet and Danderyd Hospital. Wed, 14 Sep 2022 23:00:06 +0200 https://news.ki.se/new-findings-suggest-new-omicron-ba275-is-as-susceptible-to-antibodies-as-the-currently-dominant-variant In a recent study researchers from Karolinska Institutet, among others, have characterised the new omicron variant BA.2.75, comparing its ability to evade antibodies against current and previous variants. The study, published in the journal The Lancet Infectious Diseases, suggests that BA.2.75 is not more resistant to antibodies than the currently dominating BA.5, which is positive news. Fri, 02 Sep 2022 08:59:50 +0200 https://news.ki.se/new-generation-of-corona-vaccine-shows-promising-results Researchers at Karolinska Institutet are developing a coronavirus vaccine designed to be less sensitive to mutations and equipped for future strains. The vaccine showed promising results in mice in a newly published study in EMBO Molecular Medicine, and the researchers now hope to be able to take it to safety studies on humans. Wed, 24 Aug 2022 12:31:43 +0200 https://news.ki.se/ki-in-top-10-of-institutions-with-most-publications-on-covid-19-immunity In a new analysis, Karolinska Institutet is ranked number eight in a list of organizations with the most published articles on COVID-19 and the immune response. KI also stands out as one of the universities that has had the most international collaborations in the field. The analysis was conducted by Chinese researchers without a connection to KI and is published in the journal Frontiers in Public Health. Fri, 19 Aug 2022 09:23:59 +0200 https://news.ki.se/single-clinical-test-provides-more-answers-about-covid-19 Researchers at Karolinska Institutet present the results of a refined clinical COVID-19 test, which has been used to track the spread of the Omicron variant in real time in the Swedish population. The study, published in the journal Med, provides new insights into the dominance transition of Omicron sublineages that occurred consistently across the world. Wed, 10 Aug 2022 09:08:13 +0200 https://news.ki.se/omicron-elicits-lower-antibody-responses-in-individuals-with-prior-covid-19-infection Researchers at Karolinska Institutet and Danderyd Hospital have followed participants who have received three doses of the SARS-CoV-2 vaccine and compared their immune responses after Omicron infection. The results, which are published in The Lancet Infectious Diseases, show that Omicron infection elicits significantly higher antibody responses in individuals without prior COVID-19 infection as compared to previously infected individuals. Tue, 14 Jun 2022 13:50:26 +0200 https://news.ki.se/gene-variant-influences-blood-clot-risk-in-severe-covid-19 Researchers at Uppsala University and Karolinska Institutet are one step closer to explaining why COVID-19 patients have a substantially increased risk of blood clots. The study, published in Nature Immunology, shows that a gene variant in the innate immune system influences the risk for blood clots in the lungs of severely ill COVID-19 patients. Tue, 31 May 2022 09:01:07 +0200 https://news.ki.se/mrna-booster-vaccines-may-be-a-good-investment-in-resource-poor-countries Vaccines based on inactivated SARS-CoV-2 virus are commonly used in resource-poor countries due to their low cost. New research from Karolinska Institutet shows that a booster shot of mRNA vaccine to individuals who have received two doses of inactivated vaccine offers the same level of protection against COVID-19 as three doses of mRNA vaccine. The findings are published in the journal Nature Communications. Fri, 13 May 2022 12:59:05 +0200 https://news.ki.se/mini-kidneys-help-understand-the-link-between-diabetes-and-severe-covid-19 A team of scientists including at Karolinska Institutet has used mini-kidneys simulating those of diabetic patients to further our understanding of the link between diabetes and COVID-19. The researchers found that diabetic mini-kidneys have a higher susceptibility to SARS-CoV-2 infection than non-diabetic mini-kidneys. The study, which is published in the journal Cell Metabolism, also identified genetic evidence for the essential role of the ACE2 receptor in COVID-19. Thu, 12 May 2022 17:00:04 +0200 https://news.ki.se/air-pollution-linked-to-higher-risk-of-covid-19-in-young-adults Residential exposure to ambient air pollutants is linked to an elevated risk of SARS-CoV-2 infection, an observational study of young adults in Stockholm, Sweden shows. The study was conducted by researchers from Karolinska Institutet and is published in JAMA Network Open. Wed, 20 Apr 2022 17:00:06 +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/alpaca-nanobodies-potently-neutralize-sars-cov-2-variants Researchers at Karolinska Institutet have developed a novel strategy for identifying potent miniature antibodies, so-called nanobodies, against emerging SARS-CoV-2 variants. The approach led to the discovery of multiple nanobodies that in cell cultures and mice effectively blocked infection with different SARS-CoV-2 variants. The findings, which are described in the journals Nature Communications and Science Advances, could pave the way for new treatments against COVID-19. Fri, 25 Mar 2022 19:00:08 +0100 https://news.ki.se/no-increase-in-pregnancy-complications-after-covid-19-vaccination Vaccination against COVID-19 during pregnancy is not associated with a higher risk of pregnancy complications, according to a large-scale registry study from Karolinska Institutet in Sweden and the Norwegian Institute of Public Health published in the journal JAMA. Thu, 24 Mar 2022 16:00:09 +0100 https://news.ki.se/the-scientific-race-to-understand-the-omicron-variant Late last year, preliminary studies revealed that the fast-spreading Omicron SARS-CoV-2 variant was likely to evade COVID-19 antibodies but, in many people, less so than expected. Now one of those studies from Karolinska Institutet has been published in the prestigious journal The Lancet Infectious Diseases. KI researcher Ben Murrell explains the findings and recalls the rush to understand the new variant. Fri, 18 Mar 2022 07:04:41 +0100 https://news.ki.se/severe-covid-19-linked-to-increased-risk-of-long-term-anxiety-and-depression People who were bedridden for at least a week due to COVID-19 were more likely to experience anxiety and depression for up to 16 months after the infection, compared with those who only had mild symptoms or were never infected. That is according to a large study based on data from six countries and conducted by an international team of researchers including those from Karolinska Institutet and the University of Iceland. The findings are published in The Lancet Public Health. Tue, 15 Mar 2022 11:03:29 +0100 https://news.ki.se/elevated-inflammation-persists-in-immune-cells-months-after-mild-covid-19 There is a lack of understanding as to why some people suffer from long-lasting symptoms after COVID-19 infection. A new study from Karolinska Institutet in Sweden, the Helmholtz Center Munich (HMGU) and the Technical University of Munich (TUM), both in Germany, now demonstrates that a certain type of immune cell called macrophages show altered inflammatory and metabolic expression several months after mild COVID-19. The findings are published in the journal Mucosal Immunology. Tue, 15 Mar 2022 02:00:06 +0100 https://news.ki.se/european-volunteer-registry-to-boost-capacity-for-clinical-studies-on-vaccines The EU-funded research network Vaccelerate has now opened a European volunteer-registry of study participants for research on COVID-19 vaccines. The aim of this initiative is to boost the capacity for clinical studies on COVID-19 vaccines in the EU, but also to support vaccine research in future pandemics. Tue, 22 Feb 2022 11:35:18 +0100 https://news.ki.se/why-natural-killer-cells-react-to-covid-19 Little has been known to date about how the immune system’s natural killer (NK) cells detect which cells have been infected with SARS-CoV-2. An international team of scientist led by researchers from Karolinska Institutet now shows that NK cells respond to a certain peptide on the surface of infected cells. The study, which is published in Cell Reports, is an important piece of the puzzle in our understanding of how the immune system reacts to COVID-19. Mon, 21 Feb 2022 13:02:14 +0100 https://news.ki.se/how-virus-variants-evolve Hopefully we are nearing the end of the pandemic. But the virus is still there and scientists expect that new variants may emerge. Making us more sick, however, is not on the viral agenda. Mon, 14 Feb 2022 09:40:20 +0100 https://news.ki.se/persistent-t-cell-response-to-omicron-after-infection-and-vaccination The omicron variant can partly evade the antibody response provided by vaccination or infection with previous variants of SARS-CoV-2. However, T cells still recognise omicron, scientists at Karolinska Institutet report in a study published in the journal Nature Medicine. Wed, 19 Jan 2022 10:42:15 +0100 https://news.ki.se/protective-gene-variant-against-covid-19-identified An international metastudy led by researchers at Karolinska Institutet has identified a specific gene variant that protects against severe COVID-19 infection. The researchers managed to pinpoint the variant by studying people of different ancestries, a feat they say highlights the importance of conducting clinical trials that include people of diverse descents. The results are published in the journal Nature Genetics. Thu, 13 Jan 2022 17:00:06 +0100 https://news.ki.se/he-is-awarded-the-erc-stg-for-research-on-killer-t-cells-in-body-organs KI researcher Marcus Buggert has been awarded the prestigious ERC Starting Grant for his research on human cell-mediated immunity against virus diseases. In all, the European Research Council through this call will invest EUR 619 million in 397 young research leaders. Mon, 10 Jan 2022 12:34:18 +0100 https://news.ki.se/asymptomatic-healthcare-workers-may-have-contributed-to-the-spread-of-sars-cov-2 Researchers at Karolinska Institutet have charted the number of healthcare workers in Stockholm who were on duty during the first wave of the pandemic despite being infected with SARS-CoV-2, having been asymptomatic at the time. The results of the study, which is published in the journal PLOS ONE, present very low figures but the researchers believe that this could still have affected the spread of infection. Mon, 20 Dec 2021 11:38:49 +0100 https://news.ki.se/likely-lower-risks-of-adverse-pregnancy-outcomes-from-sars-cov-2-than-previously-feared The risk of adverse pregnancy outcomes in women who tested positive for SARS-CoV-2 is likely lower than several earlier studies have suggested, a national study of all pregnant Swedish women tested for SARS-CoV-2 between March 2020 and January 2021 reports. The study, published in BJOG: An International Journal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology and led by researchers at Karolinska Institutet, shows that the association varies widely depending on the routines used for testing pregnant women. Thu, 18 Nov 2021 14:22:29 +0100 https://news.ki.se/covid-19-immunity-in-young-swedish-adults-investigated Researchers at Karolinska Institutet have analysed the presence of SARS-CoV-2-specific antibodies and memory cells of the immune system in young adults. The results, published in The Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology, show that over one in four had antibodies due to the infection. Fewer of these individuals had measurable levels of memory B and T cells compared with other age groups. The researchers will now study long COVID in young adults and the effects of vaccination on immunity. Mon, 25 Oct 2021 17:10:47 +0200 https://news.ki.se/two-vaccine-doses-boost-antibody-levels-in-the-airways-after-covid-19 Antibodies in the airways quickly wane after SARS-CoV-2 infection, but vaccination results in a strong increase in antibody levels, especially after two doses, according to a new study from Karolinska Institutet published in the journal JCI Insight. The results suggest that having a second dose of vaccine also after recovering from COVID-19 may be important for protecting against re-infection and to prevent transmission. Wed, 20 Oct 2021 10:08:10 +0200 https://news.ki.se/new-biomarker-for-severe-covid-19 During the pandemic, it has become evident that people with cardiovascular disease and obesity are at much higher risk of developing very severe, even fatal COVID-19 disease. Researchers at Karolinska Institutet have identified some metabolic processes that SARS-CoV-2 uses to attack lung tissue. The results, which are published in Molecular & Cellular Proteomics, could one day be used to treat COVID-19, and potentially for other viruses like the Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever virus and HIV-1. Fri, 08 Oct 2021 08:34:06 +0200 https://news.ki.se/innate-immune-response-may-predict-covid-19-severity COVID-19 disease severity seems to be affected by the characteristics of white blood cells called granulocytes, which are part of the innate immune system. Combined measurements of granulocytes and well-known biomarkers in the blood can predict the severity of the disease, according to a new study from Karolinska Institutet. The results are published in the journal PNAS and may eventually contribute to more tailored treatments for COVID-19 patients. Thu, 23 Sep 2021 09:45:50 +0200 https://news.ki.se/genetic-risk-factors-for-severe-covid-19-identified In March 2020, thousands of researchers across the globe joined forces to answer the question of why some COVID-19 patients develop a severe, life-threatening disease, while others manage with mild or no symptoms. A comprehensive summary of their findings to date, based on the analyses of nearly 50,000 patients and published in Nature today, reveals 13 genetic regions that are strongly associated with infection or severe COVID-19. Thu, 08 Jul 2021 17:00:04 +0200 https://news.ki.se/low-cost-method-for-finding-new-coronavirus-variants Researchers at Karolinska Institutet have developed a technology for cost-effective surveillance of the global spread of new SARS-CoV-2 variants. The technique is presented in the scientific journal Nature Communications. Wed, 23 Jun 2021 11:00:06 +0200 https://news.ki.se/common-vaccine-protects-against-more-hpv-viruses-than-previously-known The human papillomavirus (HPV) can cause cancer and many countries run national vaccination programmes to minimise the risk. Studies involving researchers at German Cancer Research Center, Karolinska Institutet and Tampere University now report on the longitudinal effect of common HPV vaccines. The results, which are published in The Journal of Infectious Diseases and Lancet Infectious Diseases, show lasting protection against more HPV variants than the vaccines were developed for. Mon, 31 May 2021 09:00:05 +0200 https://news.ki.se/low-risk-of-infection-in-babies-born-to-mothers-with-covid-19 Researchers at Karolinska Institutet and the Public Health Agency of Sweden have studied newborn babies whose mothers tested positive for SARS-CoV-2 during pregnancy or childbirth. The results show that although babies born of test-positive mothers are more likely to be born early, extremely few were infected with COVID-19. The study, which is published in the esteemed journal JAMA, supports the Swedish recommendation not to separate mother and baby after delivery. Thu, 29 Apr 2021 17:00:07 +0200 https://news.ki.se/brain-organoids-uncover-mechanisms-of-virus-induced-microcephaly A study involving researchers at Karolinska Institutet and IMBA – Institute of Molecular Biotechnology of the Austrian Academy of Sciences – demonstrates how zika and herpes viruses can lead to brain malformations during early pregnancy. The researchers used 3D models of human brains to study which mechanisms are involved in virus-induced microcephaly, a condition where babies are born with smaller-than-usual heads. The results are published in the journal Cell Stem Cell. Fri, 09 Apr 2021 17:00:04 +0200 https://news.ki.se/double-antibody-against-sars-cov-2-prevents-therapy-resistant-variants An international consortium that includes researchers at Karolinska Institutet has developed a ‘double antibody’ that targets two different sites of the SARS-CoV-2 virus, thereby preventing the virus from mutating to resist the therapy. A study published in the scientific journal Nature shows that the antibody potently neutralises SARS-CoV-2 and its variants and protects against COVID-19 in mice. Thu, 25 Mar 2021 11:00:03 +0100 https://news.ki.se/ongoing-study-is-testing-the-covid-19-vaccine-on-patients-with-compromised-immune-systems Researchers at Karolinska Institutet are investigating the efficacy and safety of COVID-19 vaccines in a new study on patients with compromised immune systems, who can become seriously ill if they are affected by COVID-19. On February 23, the first patient in the study was vaccinated with an mRNA vaccine at Karolinska University Hospital. So far, the project has received two grants from the Knut and Alice Wallenberg Foundation of SEK 10 million in total. Fri, 05 Mar 2021 11:21:13 +0100 https://news.ki.se/neandertal-gene-variants-both-increase-and-decrease-the-risk-for-severe-covid-19 Last year, researchers at Karolinska Institutet and the Max Planck Institute for Evolutionary Anthropology in Leipzig, Germany showed that a major genetic risk factor for severe COVID-19 is inherited from Neandertals. Now the same researchers show, in a study published in PNAS, that Neandertals also contributed a protective variant. Half of all people outside Africa carry a Neandertal gene variant that reduces the risk of needing intensive care for COVID-19 by 20 percent. Tue, 16 Feb 2021 18:51:33 +0100 https://news.ki.se/new-study-gives-hope-of-eliminating-mother-to-baby-transmission-of-hiv Anti-retroviral drugs are a vital tool in the prevention and treatment of HIV. A new study of pregnant women in Tanzania shows that life-long antiviral treatment also seems to prevent viral transmission from mother to baby. The results of the study, which was conducted in part by researchers at Karolinska Institutet and published in Lancet HIV, make a promising contribution to the WHO’s work with HIV prevention in low and middle-income countries. Fri, 12 Feb 2021 00:30:04 +0100 https://news.ki.se/anticancer-drug-may-improve-outcome-for-severe-covid-19-patients Treating severe COVID-19 patients with the anticancer drug bevacizumab may reduce mortality and speed up recovery, according to a small clinical study in Italy and China that was led by researchers at Karolinska Institutet in Sweden between February and April 2020. On average, blood oxygen levels, body temperature and inflammatory markers significantly improved in patients treated with a single dose of bevacizumab in addition to standard care. The research is published in Nature Communications. Fri, 05 Feb 2021 11:00:03 +0100 https://news.ki.se/new-research-identifies-which-t-cells-patrol-the-body The blood is the main source of studies on the immune system, despite the fact that most diseases are combated by immune cells in the body’s tissues. A new study from Karolinska Institutet and the University of Pennsylvania has identified which immune cells patrol the human body’s tissues and circulate back into the blood. The study, which is published in Cell, shows that not all T cells do this – some are found mostly in the blood where they constitute a unique part of our immune system. Thu, 10 Dec 2020 17:00:03 +0100 https://news.ki.se/promising-vaccine-for-crimean-congo-virus Researchers at Karolinska Institutet have led an international team of scientists who have tested a vaccine for Crimean-Congo virus on primates for the first time. The vaccine provided protection against the virus, which can cause fatal haemorrhagic fever, and showed no serious side-effects. The study is published in the journal Nature Microbiology. The next big step will be to test the vaccine on humans. Mon, 30 Nov 2020 17:00:04 +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/promising-results-from-in-vitro-combination-therapy-against-covid-19 Researchers at Karolinska Institutet in Sweden report promising results from an in vitro combination therapy against COVID-19. In a study published in EMBO Molecular Medicine, the researchers show that a combination of remdesivir, an approved drug against COVID-19, and hrsACE2, a medicine currently in phase II trials for COVID-19 treatment, reduced the viral load of SARS-CoV-2 and inhibited viral replication in cell cultures and organoids. Tue, 17 Nov 2020 06:22:39 +0100 https://news.ki.se/baricitinib-treatment-linked-to-reduced-mortality-in-covid-19-patients The rheumatoid arthritis drug baricitinib can block viral entry and reduce mortality in patients with moderate to severe COVID-19, according to translational research by an international team coordinated by researchers from Karolinska Institutet in Sweden. The findings, published in the journal Science Advances, support the continuation of ongoing randomized clinical trials. Fri, 13 Nov 2020 20:00:03 +0100 https://news.ki.se/synthetic-antibody-can-block-sars-cov-2-infection By screening hundreds of synthetic antibodies, researchers at Karolinska Institutet in Sweden and EMBL Hamburg in Germany have identified an antibody that may prevent the new coronavirus from infecting human cells. The study, which is published in the journal Nature Communications, also shows how antibodies can be quickly produced in the event of future pandemics. Wed, 04 Nov 2020 11:00:04 +0100 https://news.ki.se/nobel-laureates-response-to-congratulatory-text-message-from-ki-incredible The 2020 Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine is awarded for the discovery of the hepatitis C virus. Thanks to the work of the laureates, it is now possible to detect the virus in blood and to provide an effective treatment for the infection. It has saved the lives of millions of people. The prize also focuses on the importance of research into viruses. Wed, 07 Oct 2020 15:30:03 +0200 https://news.ki.se/neandertal-gene-variant-increases-risk-of-severe-covid-19 A study published in Nature shows that a segment of DNA that causes their carriers to have an up to three times higher risk of developing severe COVID-19 is inherited from Neandertals. The study was conducted by researchers at Karolinska Institutet and Max Planck Institute for Evolutionary Anthropology. Wed, 30 Sep 2020 11:00:04 +0200 https://news.ki.se/strong-activation-of-anti-bacterial-t-cells-linked-to-severe-covid-19 A type of anti-bacterial T cells, so-called MAIT cells, are strongly activated in people with moderate to severe COVID-19 disease, according to a study by researchers at Karolinska Institutet in Sweden that is published in the journal Science Immunology. The findings contribute to increased understanding about how our immune system responds against COVID-19 infection. Mon, 28 Sep 2020 16:00:04 +0200 https://news.ki.se/immunological-cause-of-severe-covid-19-identified More than 10 percent of young and previously healthy people who develop severe COVID-19 have misguided antibodies that attack the immune system itself, and another 3.5 percent carry a specific genetic mutation. This is according to new research published in Science by an international consortium involving researchers at Karolinska Institutet in Sweden. Fri, 25 Sep 2020 08:24:10 +0200 https://news.ki.se/sars-cov-2-during-pregnancy-was-not-associated-with-complications-in-neonates In a study published in JAMA researchers at Karolinska Institutet and Karolinska University Hospital have examined the association between a positive SARS-CoV-2 test during pregnancy and complications in mothers and their newborn babies. Almost two out of three pregnant women who tested positive for SARS-CoV-2 were asymptomatic and the researchers found no higher prevalence of complications during delivery or of ill-health in the neonates. However, preeclampsia was more common in infected women. Wed, 23 Sep 2020 17:14:29 +0200 https://news.ki.se/a-cheaper-faster-covid-19-test Researchers at Karolinska Institutet have developed a method for fast, cheap, yet accurate testing for COVID-19 infection. The method simplifies and frees the testing from expensive reaction steps, enabling upscaling of the diagnostics. This makes the method particularly attractive for places and situations with limited resources, for repeated testing and for moving resources from expensive diagnostics to other parts of the care chain. The study is published in Nature Communications. Wed, 23 Sep 2020 11:00:05 +0200 https://news.ki.se/the-first-eight-months-of-swedens-covid-19-strategy Sweden chose a different pandemic strategy than its peer nations. This included the timing of pandemic-related actions, how parts of the healthcare system reacted to the pandemic, the legal framework for the relationship between the Government and other actors and actions taken with regard to schools. In a paper published in Acta Paediatrica, Professor Jonas F Ludvigsson presents a detailed timeline on how Sweden tackled COVID-19 during the eight months up to 1 September, 2020. Mon, 21 Sep 2020 09:01:47 +0200 https://news.ki.se/researchers-identify-nanobody-that-may-prevent-covid-19-infection Researchers at Karolinska Institutet in Sweden have identified a small neutralizing antibody, a so-called nanobody, that has the capacity to block SARS-CoV-2 from entering human cells. The researchers believe this nanobody has the potential to be developed as an antiviral treatment against COVID-19. The results are published in the journal Nature Communications. Fri, 04 Sep 2020 11:00:04 +0200 https://news.ki.se/virus-in-the-blood-can-predict-severe-covid-19 A blood test on hospital admission showing the presence or absence of SARS-CoV-2 can identify patients at a high risk of severe COVID-19. Admitted patients without virus in their blood have a good chance of rapid recovery. This according to researchers at Karolinska Institutet and Danderyd Hospital in a new study published in the scientific journal Clinical Infectious Diseases. Wed, 02 Sep 2020 09:58:09 +0200 https://news.ki.se/early-nk-cell-mediated-immune-response-may-contribute-to-severe-covid-19 Researchers may have come one step closer toward understanding how the immune system contributes to severe COVID-19. In a study published in Science Immunology, researchers at Karolinska Institutet in Sweden show that so-called natural killer (NK) cells were strongly activated early after SARS-CoV-2 infection but that the type of activation differed in patients with moderate and severe COVID-19. The discovery contributes to our understanding of development of hyperinflammation in some patients. Fri, 21 Aug 2020 20:00:03 +0200 https://news.ki.se/immunity-to-covid-19-is-probably-higher-than-tests-have-shown A new study from Karolinska Institutet and Karolinska University Hospital shows that many people with mild or asymptomatic COVID-19 demonstrate so-called T-cell-mediated immunity to the new coronavirus, even if they have not tested positively for antibodies. According to the researchers, this means that public immunity is probably higher than antibody tests suggest. The article has been published in the esteemed scientific journal Cell. [This news article has been updated] Tue, 18 Aug 2020 08:45:00 +0200 https://news.ki.se/cloth-face-masks-can-reduce-the-spread-of-sars-cov-2 A literature review coordinated by Karolinska Institutet in Sweden and McMaster University in Canada demonstrates that cloth face masks provide clinically useful levels of filtration, which has the potential to reduce the spread of viruses such as SARS-CoV-2. The findings, now published in the journal Mayo Clinic Proceedings, support the wearing of cloth masks to reduce the spread of the new coronavirus, according to the researchers. Mon, 03 Aug 2020 15:32:40 +0200 https://news.ki.se/children-unlikely-to-be-the-main-drivers-of-the-covid-19-pandemic It is highly likely that children can transmit the new coronavirus, which causes COVID-19, but several factors suggest that children are unlikely to be the main drivers of the pandemic. Opening up schools and kindergartens is unlikely to impact COVID-19 mortality rates in older people, according to a systematic review that spanned 47 publications and was conducted by researchers at Karolinska Institutet. The paper is published in the scientific journal Acta Paediatrica. Wed, 20 May 2020 10:22:44 +0200 https://news.ki.se/ki-researchers-to-evaluate-effect-of-hyperbaric-oxygen-treatment-against-covid-19 Researchers at Karolinska Institutet are coordinating a recently initiated multi-national clinical trial that will evaluate the effect of hyperbaric oxygen treatment (HBO) in severe cases of COVID-19. A total of 200 adults admitted to hospital with moderately severe COVID-19 pneumonia will be recruited. The trial could start as early as next week at a hospital in Region Blekinge, Sweden. Fri, 15 May 2020 11:54:37 +0200 https://news.ki.se/ki-researcher-coordinates-large-international-coronavirus-project EU-financed Innovative Medicines Initiative (IMI) has boosted funding for research on diagnostics, medicines and vaccines against the new coronavirus SARS-CoV-2. Ali Mirazimi, researcher at Karolinska Institutet and Sweden’s National Veterinary Institute (SVA), coordinates one of eight projects provisionally selected among 144 applicants. Thu, 14 May 2020 11:48:35 +0200 https://news.ki.se/the-hunt-for-antibodies-against-the-coronavirus The coronavirus pandemic has shaken all our lives—and researchers around the world are working hard to find solutions to the crisis. Gerald McInerney, Associate Professor of Virology at Karolinska Institutet, focuses on developing antibodies that can block the virus’ ability to infect cells, so-called neutralizing antibodies. Mon, 11 May 2020 13:25:26 +0200 https://news.ki.se/possible-vaccine-for-virus-linked-to-type-1-diabetes According to many observations, certain virus infections may play a part in the autoimmune attack that leads to type 1 diabetes. Researchers at Karolinska Institutet in Sweden and their Finnish colleagues have now produced a vaccine for these viruses in the hope that it could provide protection against the disease. The study is published today in the scientific journal Science Advances. Wed, 06 May 2020 20:00:06 +0200 https://news.ki.se/new-diagnostic-test-for-covid-19-may-deliver-results-within-half-an-hour Researchers at Karolinska Institutet have together with researchers in China developed a new diagnostic test for COVID-19. The test can be performed without advanced laboratory equipment and deliver the result in about half an hour, according to a study published in the journal Clinical Chemistry. The researchers are now working on verifying the test results on confirmed COVID-19 patients at the Karolinska University Hospital. Wed, 22 Apr 2020 10:35:33 +0200 https://news.ki.se/trial-drug-may-block-early-stages-of-covid-19-study-in-human-cells-shows A drug already tested against lung disease could potentially inhibit COVID-19 by reducing the coronavirus load that enters the lungs and other organs. That is according to a study in human cell cultures and organoids by researchers at Karolinska Institutet in Sweden and the University of British Columbia (UBC) in Canada, published in the journal Cell. Thu, 02 Apr 2020 19:52:20 +0200 https://news.ki.se/green-light-for-trial-study-on-using-blood-plasma-from-recovered-covid-19-patients In a small clinical trial just granted approval, about 30 COVID-19 patients at Karolinska University Hospital may soon begin to receive blood plasma from people who have recovered from the disease. Sweden’s Ethical Review Authority has approved the trial treatment, and its effectiveness will be evaluated in a study by researchers at Karolinska Institutet and the Karolinska University Hospital. Thu, 02 Apr 2020 08:53:08 +0200 https://news.ki.se/moral-distress-can-affect-healthcare-personnel-during-covid-19-crisis With rising numbers of COVID-19 cases and a healthcare sector under increasing strain, healthcare personnel can find themselves facing difficult situations and moral challenges. Researchers at Karolinska Institutet and Uppsala University have recently published a paper in the journal Prehospital and Disaster Medicine precising what is known about moral distress, its risk and protection factors and likely implications. They also present suggestions about how the adverse effects can be mitigated. Fri, 27 Mar 2020 17:53:01 +0100 https://news.ki.se/milder-symptoms-and-better-prognosis-in-children-with-covid-19 Children infected with the new coronavirus generally have less severe symptoms than adults, they rarely need intensive care and very few child deaths have been reported. This according to a systematic review of COVID-19 in children, based on 45 relevant publications and performed by researchers at Karolinska Institutet. The review is published in the scientific journal Acta Paediatrica. Mon, 23 Mar 2020 17:16:12 +0100 https://news.ki.se/pandemic-likely-to-go-in-waves-researchers-say Researchers at Karolinska Institutet in Sweden and the University of Basel in Switzerland have produced a mathematical model that shows that the spread of the new coronavirus can decline in the summer and then return in the autumn and winter. The analysis has been published in the scientific journal Swiss Medical Weekly. Fri, 20 Mar 2020 16:13:41 +0100 https://news.ki.se/karolinska-institutet-launches-covid-19-training-for-care-providers-and-medical-staff Karolinska Institutet has launched COVID-19 courses for care providers and medical personnel following a request from the National Board of Health and Welfare. After one week of intense preparation, two online courses are now available. Thu, 19 Mar 2020 07:47:50 +0100 https://news.ki.se/hpv-infections-can-be-eliminated-if-both-boys-and-girls-are-vaccinated The human papillomavirus (HPV) causes, amongst other diseases, cancer of the cervix and oropharynx. A Swedish-Finnish study published in The Journal of Infectious Diseases now shows that the most oncogenic HPV types can be eliminated, but only if both girls and boys are vaccinated. Both genders will be offered vaccination in Sweden as of 2020. Thu, 12 Mar 2020 11:43:21 +0100 https://news.ki.se/ki-researcher-part-of-consortium-receiving-sek7m-for-covid-19-therapy-research Professor Ali Mirazimi at Karolinska Institutet is part of a consortium that has received 1 million Canadian dollars (almost 7 million kronor) to try to develop a drug candidate against COVID-19. Mirazimi will assist with in vitro and in vivo infection models for SARS-CoV-2. The project is a collaboration with Canadian and Chinese researchers. Wed, 11 Mar 2020 13:39:14 +0100 https://news.ki.se/karolinska-institutet-to-give-covid-19-training Karolinska Institutet’s Centre for Research on Health Care in Disasters has been tasked by the National Board of Health and Welfare to arrange an education, training and practice package (e.g. on the handling of personal protective equipment) for medical personnel in connection with the Covid-19 outbreak. Tue, 10 Mar 2020 08:22:49 +0100 https://news.ki.se/vaccine-development-against-coronavirus-enters-next-phase Researchers at Karolinska Institutet are on track to produce a vaccine against the new coronavirus, SARS-CoV-2. Several vaccine candidates are currently available in the freezers at the Department of Laboratory Medicine and the first animal studies are slated to begin at the end of March, according to Professor and Head of Department Matti Sällberg who is leading the effort together with virus researcher and Professor Ali Mirazimi and researcher Gustaf Ahlén. Mon, 09 Mar 2020 13:08:46 +0100 https://news.ki.se/three-ki-led-coronavirus-projects-selected-in-eu-funding-round Three coronavirus projects coordinated by researchers at Karolinska Institutet have moved onto the grant negotiation phase in a bid for 9 million euros (95 million kronor) in EU funding. The projects aim to find a vaccine, immunotherapies and neutralizing antibodies against SARS-CoV-2 and are being coordinated by KI’s Matti Sällberg, Qiang Pan Hammarström and Benjamin Murrell. Fri, 06 Mar 2020 19:54:43 +0100 https://news.ki.se/ki-researchers-seek-to-develop-vaccine-against-new-corona-virus Researchers worldwide are trying to develop a vaccine and antiviral treatments against the new corona virus spreading in China. At Karolinska Institutet, virus researchers Ali Mirazimi and Matti Sällberg are working to develop a prototype vaccine against the virus. But vaccine development takes time, and it will likely take at least six to nine months before an application for clinical studies can be filed and another two to three years before a vaccine could be ready for the public. Fri, 31 Jan 2020 16:29:50 +0100 https://news.ki.se/hiv-1-mimics-an-enhancer-to-maintain-activation-potential-but-avoid-detection When Human Immunodeficiency Virus Type 1 (HIV-1) infects a cell, the virus often becomes invisible to both the immune system and drugs. Now research from Karolinska Institutet shows that the integrated virus mimics a specific chromatin structure that lets the virus sequence remain accessible while preventing production of new viruses. Fri, 31 Jan 2020 00:01:00 +0100 https://news.ki.se/update-what-we-know-about-the-new-corona-virus The new corona virus continues to spread despite significant measures taken by the authorities in China to stop the outbreak. However, this time the fast response coupled with increased knowledge about the nature of the virus means the world is better placed to handle the outbreak compared to 18 years ago when SARS caused widespread concern, says virus researcher Ali Mirazimi, adjunct professor at the Department of Laboratory Medicine at Karolinska Institutet. Tue, 28 Jan 2020 10:18:31 +0100 https://news.ki.se/researcher-what-we-know-about-the-new-corona-virus More than 200 people have died and thousands more have been sickened by the new corona virus spreading in China. A few cases have been confirmed outside China, and the World Health Organization is closely monitoring the situation. How worried about a new pandemic should we be? Virus researcher Ali Mirazimi, adjunct professor at the Department of Laboratory Medicine at Karolinska Institutet, gives us his perspective. Wed, 22 Jan 2020 11:39:42 +0100 https://news.ki.se/researchers-support-new-strategies-for-hiv-control The search for a cure to AIDS has partly focused on ways to eradicate infected cells. Now, new research from Karolinska Institutet in Sweden and the University of Pennsylvania in the U.S. shows that this approach may not be necessary for a functional cure. In a study focusing on a subset of HIV-positive individuals who can live with the virus without needing treatment, the researchers found that these people’s lymphocytes suppress the virus but do not kill off infected cells. Wed, 18 Dec 2019 20:00:00 +0100 https://news.ki.se/ms-linked-to-variant-of-common-herpes-virus-through-new-method Researchers at Karolinska Institutet have developed a new method to separate between two different types of a common herpes virus (HHV-6) that has been linked to multiple sclerosis. By analyzing antibodies in the blood against the most divergent proteins of herpesvirus 6A and 6B, the researchers were able to show that MS-patients carry the herpesvirus 6A to a greater extent than healthy individuals. The findings, published in Frontiers in Immunology, point to a role for HHV-6A in MS development. Tue, 26 Nov 2019 07:35:39 +0100 https://news.ki.se/enterovirus-vaccine-prevented-type-1-diabetes-in-mice Mon, 20 Nov 2017 13:00:00 +0100 https://news.ki.se/respiratory-infections-in-children-often-treated-unnecessarily-with-antibiotics Fri, 19 May 2017 18:01:30 +0200 https://news.ki.se/gunilla-karlsson-hedestam-and-ganesh-phad-publish-in-the-journal-of-experimental-medicine Gunilla Karlsson Hedestam and Ganesh Phad publish in the Journal of Experimental Medicine Mon, 10 Nov 2014 13:12:11 +0100 https://news.ki.se/three-doses-of-hpv-vaccine-recommended-against-genital-warts Wed, 12 Feb 2014 21:15:29 +0100 https://news.ki.se/longer-screening-intervals-possible-with-hpv-based-tests Tue, 21 Jan 2014 00:00:00 +0100 https://news.ki.se/common-virus-is-a-new-target-for-cancer-treatment Fri, 06 Sep 2013 00:00:00 +0200 https://news.ki.se/link-shown-between-crohns-disease-and-virus Thu, 27 Jun 2013 00:00:00 +0200 https://news.ki.se/lower-incidence-of-genital-warts-in-young-girls Thu, 14 Mar 2013 00:00:00 +0100 https://news.ki.se/chemotherapy-used-to-combat-severe-swine-flu Fri, 17 Dec 2010 00:00:00 +0100 https://news.ki.se/swedish-study-reveals-sharp-increase-in-hpv-positive-tonsil-cancer Thu, 02 Apr 2009 00:00:00 +0200