Our researchers

Prof. Maja Jagodic

Functional (epi)genomics of neuroinflammatory diseases

We strive to understand how the epigenome integrates instructions from genetic and lifestyle factors to convey altered cellular functionality that leads to chronic inflammation and neuronal loss in the brain. We utilize unique and high-quality clinical MS cohorts in combination with state-of-the-art methods to measure DNA methylation and coding/non-coding gene expression in discrete cell types, followed by functional studies in experimental models. Our specific goals are to: (1) better understand the cause of disease by identifying epigenetic changes that associate with susceptibility to develop MS and long-term disease outcomes and then to understand their functional consequences, (2) identify epigenetic marks that can serve as sensitive and specific biomarkers, and (3) develop novel therapeutic approaches based on targeting epigenetic changes.

Prof. Ingrid Kockum

Genetic epidemiology of neuroinflammatory diseases

Our aim is to identify genetic risk factors for MS, study their function and how they together with life-style risk factors, such as smoking and viral infections for MS interact. This is done both in collaboration with international consortia (e.g. MultipleMS and IMSGC) and together with industry e.g. deCODE genetics. Because we have access to a uniquely large and well characterized dataset of people with MS, we are now embarking unraveling risk factors for progression/severity of MS. This work will be carried out in the MultipleMS project, a Horizon2020 funded project that is coordinated by Ingrid Kockum and Maja Jagodic where we aim to identify subpopulations of patients that respond differently to different treatments to achieve personalized medicine for MS. Finally, we combine  lifestyle exposures and genetics from  national registries including healthcare usage, drug prescriptions, income and much more to try to predict individuals at increased risk of developing MS and to predict disease courses so that we in future can offer advice on lifestyle changes to avoid disease and aid in better use of available treatments. 

Prof. Fredrik Piehl

Clinical neuroinflammation and neurodegeneration

Our aim is to address the needs of those affected by MS, and we strive to include our patients as active partners in the research we do. A major line of research is to understand the role of B cells (an immune cell type) in MS, and how this can be translated into treatments with better benefit-risk balance. To this end we examine cells and biofluids, such as serum and cerebrospinal fluid, with advanced methods, but we also study treatment effects and adverse events with epidemiological methods. Our studies on the effect and safety of rituximab, a B cell-eliminating drug have encouraged more extensive use of rituximab so that it is now the most used MS therapy in Sweden, and at substantial cost savings for the health care system. We are also tackling another problem not resolved, that is why some people with MS continue to worsen even though we use drugs that strongly reduce inflammation and actively participate in clinical trials where novel treatments are tested in a clinical setting.

Dr. Katarina Fink and Dr. Kyla McKay

Neuroepidemiology

We leverage nationwide linked health administrative and disease-specific clinical registries to apply innovative epidemiological methods to characterize chronic neuroinflammatory diseases. Our team consists of an international group of experts, including epidemiologists and clinician-scientists, all dedicated to understanding and combating neuroinflammatory diseases. 

Our team consists of an international group of experts, including epidemiologists and clinician-scientists, all dedicated to understanding and combating neuroinflammatory diseases. Our primary focus is on MS, but we also conduct research into myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein antibody-associated disease (MOGAD), narcolepsy, and epilepsy. Our mission is to advance knowledge on the causes and consequences of neuroinflammatory disorders and to improve the quality of life for individuals living with these chronic conditions. 

Dr. Tobias Granberg

Neuroradiology: neurodegeneration and neuroinflammation

Our translational research group focuses on developing and applying new neuroimaging techniques clinically to benefit the diagnosis and follow-up of neurodegenerative and neuroinflammatory disorders such as MS, dementia disorders, movement disorders and rare neurological diseases. The research team consists of a wide range of radiological and psychological expertise in close collaboration with neurologists, physicists and engineers at Karolinska as well as internationally. We create, validate and perform visual radiological ratings for morphometric analysis, complemented by volumetric segmentations. A majority of our research projects is based on MRI (structural, functional, diffusion and synthetic) but we also work with CT and nuclear medicine modalities.

Prof. Gonçalo Castelo-Branco

Transcriptomic/epigenomics of oligodendroglia

Our research group is interested in the molecular mechanisms defining the transcriptomics and epigenomic states of oligodendrocyte lineage cells in the central nervous system, in the context of neuroinflammatory and demyelinating diseases, such as MS. To implement this scientific approach, we apply state-of-the-art technologies, including single-cell and spatial transcriptomics and epigenomics, and CRISPR-based screens, in rodent models of disease and human patient material.

Prof. Fang Fang

Integrative epidemiology of neurodegenerative diseases

We are interested in studying the risk factors as well as prognostic indicators for different neurodegenerative diseases, primarily amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), Parkinson's disease (PD), and dementias. We use different research tools including the unique Swedish health registers (e.g. Swedish Motor Neuron Disease Registry), longitudinal cohort studies, and case-control studies. We work closely with the Neurology clinic at the Karolinska University Hospital and other researchers in Sweden and other countries in these efforts.

Assoc. Prof. Emilie Friberg

Multiple sclerosis and sickness absence 

The research group is primarily focusing on the risk factors for and consequences of sickness absence in relation to specific diagnoses such as MS. Another focus area is interactions between different actors within the disease- and sickness absence process, such as physicians, rehabilitation coordinators, other healthcare professionals, patients and the Social Insurance Agency. The group is interdisciplinary and multi professional and uses both quantitative and qualitative analysis methods. The studies conducted are based on data from nationwide registers, questionnaires and interviews and include research questions from several disciplines, including insurance medicine, medicine, public health, psychology, sociology, social work, behavioural science and health economy.

Assoc. Prof. Thomas Frisell

Clinical epidemiology of multiple sclerosis

We develop and apply epidemiological methods, aiming to generate knowledge that can aid patients and caregivers in understanding the impact and prognosis of chronic inflammatory diseases, and in making informed choices about therapeutic options. Working closely with clinical experts, our expertise lies in study design, biostatistical methods, and how to make the most of registers and other secondary data sources for clinical epidemiology. Our studies include epidemiological projects on the causes of diseases and to describe changing patient population, clinical projects aiming to identify prognostic markers, monitor the safety of treatments, and support clinical decision-making, and more directly methodological projects to validate data sources or evaluate statistical methods. 

Assoc. Prof. Christian Göritz

Homeostasis and tissue repair mechanisms in the mammalian system, pericytes, stem cells

We are studying homeostasis and tissue repair mechanisms in the mammalian system with a focus on perivascular cells, fibrotic scarring and endogenous stem cell replacement.

Dr. Narsis Kiani

Computational mathematics and system biology

Our research interests spread across two complementary areas: (i) the quantitative study of biological systems and analysis of inverse problems arising from biology (biology focused), (ii) Bridge the gap between causality analysis and dynamical system (maths focused). Most of my recent work has been aimed at developing a better understand of the complex systems behavior. The aim of the Algorithmic Dynamics Lab is to introduce and exploit the most mature mathematical theories into the life sciences to bear mature concepts (such as multi-scale dynamics, spectral theory, and algorithmic inference) in solving some of the most pressing problems in the areas of systems modelling.

Dr. Jakob Theorell

Autoimmune neurology

The focus of the team is translational research in the area of autoimmune neurology, with a special focus on autoimmune encephalitis. Our projects range from efforts to identify clinical traits overrepresented in patients with these rare conditions, via improvements in diagnostic testing to immunocellular investigations aiming at elucidation of disease mechanisms.

Dr. Jeff Mold

Stem cell biology in the central nervous system

Dr. Per Roos

Analytical chemistry and environmental science