Anna Lindstrand

Anna Lindstrand

Adjunct Professor | Docent
Telephone: +46852482722
Visiting address: Karolinska Institutet, BioClinicum J10:20, Visionsgatan 4, 17164 Solna
Postal address: K1 Molekylär medicin och kirurgi, K1 MMK Sällsynta diagnoser, 171 76 Stockholm
Part of:

About me

  • I am Professor and Consultant in Clinical Genetics in Stockholm, Sweden. Currently I am the head of the Clinical Genetics and genomics diagnostic laboratory (Karolinska University Hospital) and group leader for Rare Diseases research group at the Department of Molecular Medicine and Surgery (Karolinska Institutet). My specific area of interest is the study of structural human genomic variation, its biological consequences and involvement in rare and common human disorders.

    My group members combine conventional and next generation genetic analysis with careful clinical assessments and functional follow up in vivo (zebrafish) and in vitro (primary cells and iPS cells). To characterize the breakpoints of chromosome rearrangements we use a variety of methodologies and next generation sequencing (NGS) platforms.

    This work is truly translational! Patients are initially identified in the health care system and outlined phenotypically and cytogenetically in the clinical genetic service. Then the research part takes over aiming to outline the exact genetic rearrangement down to single gene and breakpoint level in order to correlate symptoms with a specific gene defect. Finally, our findings are returned to the health care system in the form of new information about gene function.

    Academic honours, awards and prizes

    2015 Recipient of of the Jeanssons Foundation personal award to particularly outstanding young researchers

    2015-2017 Recipient of a three-year fellowship from Riksbankens Jubileumsfond

    2015-2018 Awarded four years of funding from Svenska Sällskapet för Medicinsk Forskning (SSMF:s stora anslag)

    2015-2017 Awarded 3 years of funding for clinical scientists from Marianne och Marcus Wallenbergs Stiftelse

    2016-2019 Selected for four year funding as Research Associate (forskarassistent), Karolinska Institutet

Research

  • Project 1: The role of structural genomic variation in human health and disease

    Backgound: Structural genomic variation comprises 1) copy-neutral balanced events (inversions and translocations) as well as 2) unbalanced events with either loss or gain of chromosome material (deletions, duplications, triplications and multi allelic copy number variants (CNVs). The size may vary from events that are visible in a light microscope (>

  • 5-10 Mb) down to the size of a single exon (<
  • 100-200 base pairs). In the past decade structural variants have emerged as important contributors to the genetic load of both rare and common disorders especially within the area of neurodevelopmental disease and malformation syndromes. However, a specific rearrangement often affects many genes and regulatory regions and the specific disease causing factors are still poorly characterized.

    Aim: These studies are focused on the detailed characterization of structural genomic rearrangements in order to identify the specific causative and modifying genes and to understand the underlying mutational mechanisms involved.

    Work Plan: We use short-, linked- and long-read whole genome sequencing (WGS) to characterize and identify structural variants. Patents with structural variants are recruited through the clinical genetic diagnostic laboratory where individuals with neurodevelopmental disorders and malformation syndromes are analyzed with chromosome analysis, oligonucleotide array-based comparative genomic hybridization (aCGH) and clinical WGS. After WGS and bioinformatics analysis functional follow up studies of candidate genes and variants are done in primary patient cells (e.g. fibroblasts, lymphocytes), induced pluripotent stem cells and in zebrafish.

    We have several ongoing studies:

    Study I) Identification and characterization of rare disease associated structural chromosomal variants by massive parallel whole genome sequencing

    The first objective is to implement WGS for the clinical diagnostic detection of structural variants. To this end, we develop novel bioinformatic analysis pipelines to identify both balanced and unbalanced structural variants from WGS data. The second objective is to study the rearrangement breakpoints and from the mutational signatures observed, infer the underlying mechanisms involved. Finally, we are interested in how the genes affected by structural variants cause disease. Our ambition is to characterize all genetic lesions in a given patient, from single base pair changes to large chromosomal rearrangements, and to follow up with functional studies. In this way, we will evaluate the relationship between structural variants and the burden of point mutations (an area that is still largely unexplored).

    Study II) Identification of new disease genes by sequencing balanced chromosomal aberrations.

    In this project we use WGS (described above) to study balanced chromosomal rearrangements (inversions and translocations). The hypothesis is that genes disrupted by the chromosomal breakpoints are driving the clinical symptoms seen in the rearrangement carriers. Identified candidate genes are evaluated in zebrafish.



    Project 2: Computational development of bioinformatic tools and databases to interpret structural variants in individuals with rare diseases

    The aim of this project is to develop novel bioinformatic tools for the discovery and interpretation of disease-causing SV, as well as to evaluate the clinical feasibility of novel OMICs technologies. The project is translational and is carried out as a collaboration with Clinical genomics at Scilifelab Solna. The project will contribute to our knowledge on the structure and diversity of the human genome, as well as to bring novel technologies to the routine diagnostic workflow.



    Project 3: Zebrafish models to study genetic and disease mechanisms underlying rare human disorders

    Despite recent progress in identifying the genetic cause of rare disorders we still lack the ability to interpret the pathogenic potential of rare variants identified in small families or in uncharacterized genes and assess the genetic basis of variability in clinical presentations. Due to the technical advantages, the zebrafish has become a very popular model to test and further understand the role of candidate genes in disease. Approximately 70% of the human genes have a zebrafish orthologue and many of the cellular pathways in embryonic development and tissue function are similar to those found in humans. One of the most commonly used techniques to assess the role of a specific gene is to knockdown the target protein levels using antisense oligonucleotides or morpholinos. This technique is however being replaced by the use of the genome editing technique CRISPR/Cas9. The CRISPR/Cas9 technique results in permanent changes in the genome that, given the specificity of the technique, more closely resemble the mutations found in the patients.

    In this project we evaluate novel genes and mutations identified in patients with rare diseases investigated with clinical exome/whole genome sequencing or through our research studies outlined above. We use overexpression of wild type and mutated RNA, transient knock down (morpholinos) and stable knockdown (CRISPR/Cas9 mutagenesis). For select genes we also screen the mutant zebrafish for therapeutic compounds. Disorders of particular interest are neurodevelopmental diseases, ciliopathies, congenital malformation syndromes and muscle disorders.


    Project 4: Cellular models to understand mechanisms underlying childhood neurodevelopmental disorders

    Here we use patient specific induced pluripotent stem cells (hiPSCs), which are translationally relevant to human in comparison with other models, in order to explore mechanisms of neurodevelopmental disorders and at the same time expand our knowledge about the normal functions and development of the healthy brain. Organoid 3D culture recapitulates development of various brain regions therefore is a unique tool to model brain disorders. Samples from patients’ diagnosed with rare neurodevelopmental disorders are obtained through clinical genetics (Karolinska University Hospital). This is a unique resource as they can help us understand more about how chromosomal rearrangement or loss of encoded proteins can affect neuronal development and function in vitro. Genes/disorders of particular interest are CTNND2, NFACS and Williams syndrome.


    Previous and Current Research Funding:

    2023-2025 Region stockholm HMT

    2022-2024 Region stockholm ALF
    2020-2021 Region Stockholm - Högre klinisk forskare
    2018-2025 Swedish Research Council (Vetenskapsrådet)
    2019-2024 Cancerfonden

    2020 KI - StratNeuro
    2019-2023 Hjärnfonden
    2019 Läkaresällskapet
    2017-2022 Stockholms läns landsting, HMT
    2017-2021 Stockholms läns landsting, ALF
    2015-2018 Svenska Sällskapet för Medicinsk Forskning
    2015-2017 Marianne och Marcus Wallenbergs Stiftelse
    2015-2016 Science for Life Laboratory
    2015-2017 Riksbankens Jubileumsfond
    2015-2016 Jeanssons Foundation
    2014-2016 Hjärnfonden
    2015-2016 Kungl. Fysiografiska Sällskapet i Lund
    2013-2015 Swedish Research Council (Vetenskapsrådet)
    2016-2019 Karolinska Institutet
    2013-2015 Stockholms läns landsting, ALF
    2010-2013 Swedish Research Council (Vetenskapsrådet)


    Team members:
    Josephine Wincent, MD, PhD, Postdoc
    Jonas Carlsten, MD, PHD, Postdoc
    Mansoureh Shahsavani, PhD, Postdoc
    Maria Pettersson, PhD, Postdoc
    Jesper Eisfeldt, PhD, Postdoc
    Jakob Schuy, PhD Postdoc
    Marlene Ek, PhD student

    Kristine Bilgrav Saether, PhD student

    Esmee ten Berk de Boer, PhD student


    Alumni:
    Raquel Vaz, PhD, Senior researcher
    Wolfgang Hofmeister, PhD, Assistant professor

    Liselotte Vesterlund, PhD, Postdoc

    Ameli Norling, MD, PhD, Postdoc
    Vanja Börjesson, Master student
    Miriam Armenio, Research Assistant
    Alisa Foerster, Master student
    Amel Al-Murrani, Research Assistant

Articles

All other publications

Grants

Employments

  • Consultant, Clinical genetics and genomics, Karolinska University Hospital, 2019-
  • Director Clinical Genetics Laboratory, Clinical Genetics and Genomics, Karolinska University Hospital, 2018-
  • Adjunct Professor, Department of Molecular Medicine and Surgery, Karolinska Institutet, 2020-2028
  • Specialist physician, Clinical Genetics and Genomics, Karolinska University Hospital, 2012-2019
  • Resident, Clinical genetics and Genomics, Karolinska University Hospital, 2002-2012

Degrees and Education

  • Docent, Karolinska Institutet, 2016
  • Degree Of Doctor Of Philosophy, Department of Molecular Medicine and Surgery, Karolinska Institutet, 2010
  • University Medical Degree, Karolinska Institutet, 1999

Supervisor

  • Esmee ten Berk de Boer, 2023
  • Elin Stavrén Eriksson, 2023
  • Olivia Henry, 2022
  • Kristine Bilgrav Saether, 2021
  • Ida Nordgren, 2021
  • Marlene Ek, 2021
  • Hillevi Lindelöf, 2020
  • Emma Ehn, 2019
  • Emelie Ponten, 2017
  • Karin Salehi, Molecular and clinical studies of intestinal malrotation, https://openarchive.ki.se/articles/thesis/Molecular_and_clinical_studies_of_intestinal_malrotation/26912176?file=48956170
  • Anders Kämpe, Genetic causes and underlying disease mechanisms in early-onset osteoporosis, https://openarchive.ki.se/articles/thesis/Genetic_causes_and_underlying_disease_mechanisms_in_early-onset_osteoporosis/26919550?file=48964903
  • Maria Pettersson, STRUCTURAL GENOMIC VARIATION IN HUMAN DISEASE, https://openarchive.ki.se/articles/thesis/Structural_genomic_variation_in_human_disease/26917915?file=48962779
  • Anna Hammarsjö, EXPANDING THE GENETIC AND PHENOTYPIC SPECTRUM OF SKELETAL DYSPLASIAS
  • Jesper Eisfeldt, Characterization of structural chromosomal variants by massive parallel sequencing
  • Dominyka Batkovskyte, Genetic studies of rare skeletal disorders : to solve the unsolved, https://openarchive.ki.se/articles/thesis/Genetic_studies_of_rare_skeletal_disorders_to_solve_the_unsolved/26903353?file=48945721
  • Samara Arkani, Molecular and epidemiological studies of bladder exstrophy and epispadias complex, https://dspace.kib.ki.se/xmlui/handle/10616/48566
  • Sofia Frisk, Studies of Genetic Mosaicism in Rare Diseases
  • Jakob Schuy, Studies of structural chromosome rearrangments to identify genes involved in congenital brain disorders

Visiting research fellowships

  • Visiting professor, Pacific Northwest Diabetes Research Institute, 1 month visiting professor, 2024-2024
  • Postdoctoral Researcher, Duke University, 2 year VR funder postdoc, focus on ciliopathies, CNV screening and zebrafish modelling, 2010-2012

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