Experimental Traumatology Research Unit

The mission of the Experimental Traumatology research unit is to perform research in experimental traumatology and military medicine and to maintain and develop strategic national and international medical research collaborations and networks.

Photo of ambulance

Research focus

Research focus of the Experimental traumatology unit; blood transfusion, lung and airway research.

We perform research in acute and chronic traumatic brain injury, trauma-related peripheral nerve regeneration, mechanical traumatic bleeding control and Pre-Hospital Advanced Airway Management (PHAAM).

We investigate Personal Armor Systems, Injury assessment for blast-related events and Biotechnology, Human Enhancement/Human Augmentation.

We cover acute and chronic aspects of military trauma, including blast injuries, ballistic injuries, and traffic accidents, and investigate aspects of psychological consequences of trauma.

Our current long-term research goals include (but are not limited to): 
Fundamental knowledge to evaluate and develop clinical guidelines for surgical and anaesthesiologic skills forward, including:

  • Haemorrhage control
  • Care of the injured brain
  • Airway control and oxygenation

Publications

Selected publications

Members and contact

Group leader

All members of the group

Contact us

Postal address

Department of Neuroscience
Karolinska Institutet, SE-171 77 Stockholm

Visiting address (visitors, couriers, etc.)

Karolinska Institutet
Biomedicum, B8
Solnavägen 9, SE-171 65 Solna

Delivery address (goods, parcels, etc.)

Tomtebodavägen 16, SE-171 65 Solna

Karolinska Institutet, Biomedicum, Solnavägen 9

About us

Experimental traumatology unit, from left to right Andreas Brännström, Albin Dahlquist, Jenny Gustavsson.
From left to right Andreas Brännström, Albin Dahlquist, Jenny Gustavsson. Photo: Mattias Günther

The Swedish Armed Forces have a long-standing tradition of advanced medical research. The unit for Experimental Traumatology was originally established by the Swedish Defence Research Agency (FOI).

In 2008, the unit was strategically transferred to Karolinska Institutet, by decision of Commander-in-Chief Håkan Syrén, to provide a platform for improved collaborations with national and international medical research institutes, and to further develop Swedish academic military medicine research.

The successful establishment of the unit at Karolinska Institutet enabled for continuous, competitive research in military medicine and traumatology.

Today, the unit maintains active research in many focus areas of military medicine and traumatology, which are continuously advanced in close collaboration with the Armed Forces.

In addition, the unit performs strategic external analyses in military medicine and traumatology and maintains close collaborations with national and international research networks and science and technology organizations, including the European Defence Agency.

The unit acts as an external advisor in traumatology for agencies including the Swedish Police authority and the Swedish Defence University.

Government and Parliament governance

The Armed Forces must order research and development work, as well as conduct their own studies and trials, for the focus and development of military defence.

Förordning (2007:1266) med instruktion för Försvarsmakten

The research and development activities that the Armed Forces order must contribute to long-term capability development and strengthen the Armed Forces' ability to face future threats.

Research and development contribute to knowledge to be able to grasp strategic decisions, set appropriate requirements and provide the necessary equipment. The Armed Forces must strengthen research and development within defence areas and, to create conditions for future direction, continue to strive to maintain freedom of action.

Fö2017/01724/MFI 2017-12-18