Ingemar Björkhem

Ingemar Björkhem

Professor Emeritus
Visiting address: Alfred Nobels Allé 8 plan 8, 14152 HUDDINGE
Postal address: H5 Laboratoriemedicin, H5 Klin Kemi Tietge, 141 52 Huddinge
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About me

  • I got my education at the Karolinska Institute and have had positions as
    professor of “biochemical research on atherosclerosis” and senior
    physicican in Clinical Chemistry during the years 1986-2008. I am senior
    professor at the division of clinical chemistry, department of laboratory
    medicine, at the Karolinska University Hospital Huddinge since 2012. At
    present I work about 70% with research.
    1986. Adolf Windaus prize for ”Outstanding contributions in the field of
    bile acid research”, Freiburg, Germany; 1993. Honorary Professor,
    Institute of Microcirculation, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences,
    Beijing, China; 1996. Astrup Legat, Copenhagen ; 2008. Honorary Professor
    University of Qindau and University of Taian, China; 2000. Member of the
    Norwegian Academy of Science; 2000. Doctor medicinae honoris causa,
    University of Oslo; 2006. The Schroepfer Award ; 2006. Selected to held the
    “Nikkilä Memorial lecture” ; 2008. Selected to held the “Turner
    Lecture” , Chicago; Member of the Nobel Assembly 1989-2008.

Research

  • I have worked on different aspects of cholesterol since 1963 when I started
    my PhD studies. In particular I have been involved in the elucidation of the
    mechanisms and regulation of the enzymes involved in the degradation of
    cholesterol into bile acids. During the last two decades I have focused on
    the regulatory mechanisms behind cholesterol homeostasis in the brain, and in
    particular the role of oxysterols. We made the key discovery that side-chain
    oxidized oxysterols , in contrats to cholesterol, are able to pass the
    blood-brain barrier. We have shown that these oxysterols are important for
    regulation of cholesterol synthesis, glucose uptake by the brain, generation
    of beta amyloid and several other processes. We utilize unique mouse models
    as well as clinical materials in our research involving collaborations with
    different clinical disciplines.

Articles

All other publications

Employments

  • Professor Emeritus, Department of Laboratory Medicine, Karolinska Institutet, 2026-2027
  • Professor, Senior, Department of Laboratory Medicine, Karolinska Institutet, 2019-2020
  • Professor, Senior, Department of Laboratory Medicine, Karolinska Institutet, 2012-2018
  • Professor/Senior Physician, Department of Laboratory Medicine, Karolinska Institutet, 2003-2008
  • Professor, Clinical Research Centre, Karolinska Institutet, 1994-2004
  • Professor/Senior Physician, Dept of Med. Lab. Sc. & Engineering, Karolinska Institutet, 1996-2002
  • Professor, Dept of Med. Lab. Sc. & Engineering, Karolinska Institutet, 1995-1995

Degrees and Education

  • Docent, 1969

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