Research Division of Molecular Neurobiology

The division of Molecular Neurobiology develops new technologies and takes advantage of recent advances in molecular biology to further the understanding of the relation between molecular phenotype, anatomy and function of cell types in development, health and disease of the nervous system.

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PI's at the Division of Molecular Neurobiology. Photo: private

Research interests

The nervous system is one of the most complex organs in the human body, formed by multiple cell types with unique properties. Researchers at the division of Molecular Neurobiology study how the cellular diversity in the nervous system is generated, starting from stem cells until different types of neurons and glial cells emerge. We also study how neurons form connections and establish the networks that are the basis of the complex functions controlled by the nervous system. Defining cell types, determining their physiological and morphological properties and establishing how they contribute to circuits and behaviour is a major theme of the division. We take advantage of advanced technologies including for example stem cells, cellular reprogramming, mouse genetics, animal behaviour, electrophysiology, single cell RNA sequencing, smFISH, imaging, biochemistry, advanced molecular biology and more.

Research groups

Ernest Arenas group
Midbrain development with focus on dopaminergic neurons. Stem cells and reprogramming strategies for modeling and treatment of Parkinson’s disease.

KI News: Professor Ernest Arenas has passed away | Karolinska Institutet (ki.se)

Gonçalo Castelo-Branco group
Epigenetic regulation of cell states, with a focus on oligodendrocyte lineage cells during development and in multiple sclerosis.

Onur Dagliyan group
Molecular mechanisms influencing experience-driven activation and equilibration of neuronal circuits in the mouse brain.

Patrik Ernfors group
Neuronal types and circuits sensing pain, temperature and touch. CNS stem-like cells in health and disease.

Jens Hjerling-Leffler group
Neuronal identity in the forebrain – function and stability. Adolescent brain development and Schizophrenia.

Sten Linnarsson group
Systematic discovery of lineages and cell types in the brain by single-cell RNA-seq. Spatial atlas of cell types and states by single-molecule RNA FISH and RNA tomography.

Ulrika Marklund group
Neuronal Diversification during Enteric Nervous System Development.

Per Uhlén group
Impact of normal and abnormal cell signalling on development and cancer.