Cell, Molecular and Structural Biology

Gonçalo Castelo-Branco investigates the cells that produce myelin, the vital insulation that ensheathes our nerve cells. He has made unexpected findings that might help to explain what causes MS and eventually give rise to novel treatments.

Transporting drugs to the right place and into the right cells is a major challenge. Samir EL Andaloussi researches how tiny vesicles called exosomes, which naturally transport material between cells, can be used for this purpose.

DNA origami involves ways in which DNA can be used to build nanoscale constructions. Björn Högberg has improved this technique and uses it for both basic research and the development of clinical applications.

Living with chronic pain is challenging – not least because of the limited number of good treatments. Camilla Svensson is researching the mechanisms behind persistent pain in rheumatic diseases and how it can be tackled in new, more effective ways.

Uwe Tietge researches the function of cholesterol in the body. His aim is to map basic mechanisms of metabolism’s molecular regulation and to identify novel targets for innovative cardio-vascular disease treatments.

Maria Eriksson has discovered the gene that causes premature ageing in children. She is now researching the general genetic causes of ageing and has shown, amongst other things, that our stem cells gather more mutations during our lives than previously known.

Gunnar Schulte’s ambition is to understand the cellular dialogue taking place on the cell surface. More specifically, he is interested in how so-called Class Frizzled receptors work and in new treatments of diseases such as cancer and fibrosis.

Bertrand Joseph is a Professor of Molecular Cancer Biology at the Institute of Environmental Medicine. His research is about life and death decisions at the cellular level.

Anders Kvanta researches cell and gene therapies for diseases of the retina that currently lack effective treatments. His discovery that the pathologic formation of new blood vessels in the retina is attributable to the growth factor VEGF has saved the eyesight of millions of people.

Exosomes are tiny particles secreted by cells. They are involved in important processes in the body and may have useful clinical applications, including improved cancer treatments. Susanne Gabrielsson is one of the veterans of this young field of research.

How are children made at molecular level? That is a question Luca Jovine is trying to answer. In the long term, knowledge about the mechanisms of fertilisation can lead both to new contraceptives and to new hope for the childless.

Katalin Dobra researches cancer of the lungs, especially the part played by the protein Syndecan 1. Education is an important aspect of her professorship and she is in charge of the pathology module of the new medical programme.

While exercise is good for us, we still do not fully understand why. Jorge Ruas is researching the nature of this connection at a molecular and genetic level in the hope of contributing to the development of better therapies.

Single cell analysis enables scientists to do what was once thought impossible: study gene activity in an individual cell. Sten Linnarsson uses the technique to identify cell types in the brain and to understand the systems that regulate our cells.

Adnane Achour examines and visualises proteins that are important in infection diseases and cancer and the immunological responses to them.

Martin Bergö’s research on CAAX proteins has proved relevant to diseases, such as cancer, rheumatism, heart disease and accelerated ageing. His biggest discovery so far is that vitamins can worsen the prognosis for cancer patients.

Janne Lehtiö uses mass spectrometry to study proteomes and their function to understand how proteins change.