Physiology

Physiology is defined as the study of living organisms, organs and organ systems and how they function under normal conditions.

Central to the discipline of physiology is the study of mechanical, physical and biochemical processes which help the organisms keep certain characteristics, such as body temperature, at a healthy level.

Another important aspect of physiology is research on how the body reacts to extreme conditions or disease. Such studies can lead to new treatments or pharmacological advances.

Physiology is in some ways the mother of all biomedical research. Very little, if any, research at Karolinska Institutet is wholly without a physiological connection. Among the studies carried out at Karolinska Institutet with the strongest link to physiology is research on how muscle fatigue is brought about or why exercise reduces the risk of various diseases.

Research areas and group leaders in physiology

Research area Group leader
Baromedicine and human physiology Peter Lindholm
Bone and Cartilage Physiology Andrei Chagin
Calcium Signaling Johanna Lanner
Cellular Growth Control Gustavo Nader
Central Regulation of Autonomic Functions Mats Rundgren
Environmental Physiology Dag Linnarsson
Exercise Physiology Jan Henriksson
Experimental Audiology Barbara Canlon
Genetic Physiology Anders Arner
Integrative Physiology Anna Krook & Juleen Zierath
Integrative Pain Research Zsuzsanna Wiesenfeld-Hallin
Mechanoreceptor Physiology Bo Rydqvist
Microvascular Physiology Lennart Lindbom
Molecular and Cellular Exercise Physiology Jorge Ruas
Molecular Exercise Physiology Carl Johan Sundberg
Molecular Neurophysiology Karima Chergui
Muscle and Exercise Physiology Laboratory Per Tesch
Muscle Physiology Håkan Westerblad
Neuroimmunology Caroline Olgart Höglund
Nitric Oxide Research Lars E Gustafsson