Björn Andersson

Björn Andersson

Professor
Telephone: +46852483987
Visiting address: Solnavägen 9, 17165 Stockholm
Postal address: C5 Cell- och molekylärbiologi, C5 CMB Andersson Björn, 171 77 Stockholm
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About me

  • I am a Professor of Genomics at Karolinska Institutet, where I lead research in parasite genomics, metagenomics, and host–microbe interactions. My academic path began with a PhD in molecular genetics at KI in 1992, followed by a postdoctoral fellowship at Baylor College of Medicine in the United States. After several years at Uppsala University, I returned to KI, and since 2007 I have held a professorship in genome analysis. Over the years, I have taken on several academic leadership roles and established broad national and international research collaborations.

Research

  • My research focuses on understanding genetic variation, evolution, and disease mechanisms in parasites, particularly Trypanosoma cruzi, as well as mapping human viruses and microbial communities using advanced metagenomic methods. I have been part of several large international genome consortia and collaborations in parasitology, microbiology, and bioinformatics. By combining genomics, bioinformatics, and evolutionary biology, my research group aims to advance diagnostics, deepen insight into pathogen diversity, and improve understanding of host–pathogen interactions.

Teaching

  • I mainly contribute to postgraduate education at Karolinska Institutet, where I supervise PhD students and postdoctoral researchers and participate in dissertation committees.

Selected publications

Articles

All other publications

Grants

Employments

  • Professor, Genomic Analysis, Department of Cell and Molecular Biology, Karolinska Institutet, 2007-

Degrees and Education

  • Docent, Uppsala Universitet, 1999
  • PhD, Medical Genetics, Molecular characterization of BPDE-induced mutation at the HPRT-locus in human T-lymphocytes, MMK, Karolinska Institutet, 1992
  • Bachelor of Science, Molecular Biology, Linköping University, 1987

Distinction and awards

  • The Medal for Zealous and Devoted Service of the Realm, 2022

Supervision

  • Supervision to doctoral degree

    • Mohammad Ahamed, Application of Statistical and Bioinformatics Methods to Study Inflammation-Driven Health Challenges, 2025
    • Zoé Pochon, Struck by Pestilence, 2025
    • Hannes Hoppe, Exploration of New Therapeutic Approaches and Genetic and Non-genetic Adaptations in Plasmodium falciparum, 2025
    • Hedvig Glans, Cutaneous Leishmaniasis: Treatment and Genetic Mechanisms Affecting Outcome, 2022
    • Patrick Scicluna, Differential microRNA and Metabolic Expressions in Neuroendocrine and Cervical Carcinomas, 2020
    • Helena Vandesande, Infection, Early Entry Events and Replication Processes of Picornaviruses, 2020
    • Mauricio Barrientos-Sommaribas, Tailoring Bioinformatics Strategies for the Characterization of the Human Microbiome in Health and Disease, 2019
    • Mtakai Ngara, Single-Cell RNA Sequencing for Subtype Discovery in Plasmodium falciparum and Mammalian Cells, 2019
    • Sherwin Chan, Translational Regulation in Plasmodium falciparum, 2017
    • Carlos Talavera-López, Trypanosoma cruzi Genome Plasticity and Evolution, 2016
    • Mia Palmkvist, Malaria and Polypeptides of Plasmodium falciparum at the Infected Erythrocyte Surface, 2016
    • Anna Sävneby, Reverse Genetic Studies of Enterovirus Replication, 2015
    • Johanna Brodin, Deciphering HIV Genetic Variability and Evolution by Massive Parallel Pyrosequencing and Bioinformatics, 2014
    • Stephen Ochaya, Comparative Genomics and Molecular Characterization of N-alpha Acetyltransferase in Trypanosomes for Drug Target Identification, 2013
    • Suman Vodnala, Novel Treatment of African Trypanosomiasis, 2013
    • Morana Vitezic, Inferring Transcriptional Regulation on the Promoter Level and Its Application to Diseases, 2013
    • Oscar Franzén, Genome and Transcriptome Studies of the Protozoan Parasites Trypanosoma cruzi and Giardia intestinalis, 2012
    • Fredrik Lysholm, Bioinformatic Methods for Characterization of Viral Pathogens in Metagenomic Samples, 2012
    • Nicolas Joannin, Antigenic Variation in Plasmodium falciparum: Understanding the RIFIN Protein Family, 2010
    • Conny Tolf, Ljungan Virus: Genotypic Diversity and Virion Structure Features, 2009
    • Marianne Blomqvist, Genetic Variation in Genes Involved in Aβ-Degradation in Alzheimer Disease, 2009
    • Marcela Ferella, Detection and Characterization of Novel Proteins in Trypanosoma cruzi, 2008
    • Ellen Sherwood, Methods and Applications in DNA Sequence Alignments, 2007
    • Timo Lassmann, Algorithms for Building and Evaluating Multiple Sequence Alignments, 2006
    • Carole Branche, Genome Characterization and Mobility Investigation in Trypanosomes, 2006
    • Shane McCarthy, Comparative Sequencing of Candidate Genes in Complex Disease, 2006
    • Daniel Nilsson, Genomic Feature Identification in Trypanosomatid Parasites, 2006
    • Erik Arner, Solving the Repeat Problem in Shotgun Sequencing, 2006
    • Hagit Katzov, Genetic Association Analysis of Overlapping Biological Pathways in Cardiovascular and Alzheimer Disease, 2006
    • Martti Tammi, Software tools and algorithms for shotgun sequence assembly, 2002

  • Supervision of postdoctoral researcher

    • Gabriel Machado, 2022-2024
    • Christian Pou, 2014-2016
    • Johannes Luthman, 2012-2014
    • Stefanie Prast-Nielsen, 2011-2015
    • Anna Wetterbom, 2010-2012
    • Ellen Sherwood, 2007-2010
    • Daniel Nilsson, 2006-2007
    • Anh-Nhi Tran, 2003-2005
    • Martti Tammi, 2002-2004
    • Esteban Bontempi, 2000-2003

Committee work

Visiting research fellowships

  • Postdoc, Baylor College of Medicine, 1992-1995

News from KI

Events from KI