Developmental Biology, Reproductive, Regenerative and Reparative Medicine
In developmental biology, researchers study how genes regulate the development from stem cell to specialised cell and onwards to tissues and organs. The aim is to find new treatments and methods to repair damaged tissue. Research in reproduction deals with infertility, pregnancy, foetal medicine, and the newborn infant. Reparative medicine includes surgery and orthopaedics, but in recent years also aspects of regenerative medicine.
Articles and features
Tailored brain-cells to combat Parkinson's disease
The ERC Advanced Grant is one of Europe’s most prestigious programmes for research financing. The grant has now been awarded to Ernest Arenas to tailor dopamine-producing brain cells for patients with Parkinson’s disease.
New insights provide hope for new hair growth in adults
We are born with all the hair follicles that we will ever have in our lives, because after birth the skin loses the ability to create new hair follicles. If our skin is severely damaged it cannot form new hair follicles or associated sebaceous glands essential for keeping the skin moist. But now researchers have revealed that controlled activation of the so-called Hedgehog-signaling pathway leads to new formation of hair follicles and hair in mice.
Lower chance of pregnancy and childbirth after IVF with one ovary
Women who have had one ovary surgically removed (unilateral oophorectomy) are less likely to become pregnant after in vitro fertilisation and give birth to fewer babies than women with both ovaries. That is according to an extensive meta-analysis published in the journal Fertility and Sterility by researchers at Karolinska Institutet.
Heart progenitors spontaneously regenerate cardiac muscle in salamanders
Heart progenitors spontaneously regenerate cardiac muscle via a tight junction “honeycomb” in salamanders. Whether there are endogenous adult heart progenitors that can replenish damaged muscle cells remained controversial.
Breakthrough for tomorrow’s dentistry
New knowledge on the cellular makeup and growth of teeth can expedite developments in regenerative dentistry – a biological therapy for damaged teeth – as well as the treatment of tooth sensitivity. The study, which was conducted by researchers at Karolinska Institutet, is published in Nature Communications.
Doctoral Programme in Development and Regeneration (DevReg)
Spotlight on Infertility
Spotlight on organ donation
Spotlight on Parkinson's Disease
Spotlight on Premature Birth
Latest news in this area
Some of our professors in the area
Studying the role of stem cells in cell turnover
Jonas Frisén and his team are studying the role of stem cells in cell turnover in healthy and pathological situations. Many projects focus on stem cells in the brain and spinal cord and adult neurogenesis.
Studying genome regulation using single-cell analysis
Rickard Sandberg has developed a method of single-cell analysis that provides groundbreaking molecular insight into the properties and function of cells. The method is used around the world.
Expanding understanding of PCOS
Elisabet Stener-Victorin studies women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) and was one of the first to notice the disease’s connection with mental illness. Her aim is to understand the causes an to find better treatments.
The placenta is a key to understanding disease
Ganesh Acharya’s research concerns understanding the function of the heart and blood system of fetuses and pregnant women.
Mechanisms behind kidney disease
Annika Östman Wernerson researches molecular mechanisms causing different kidney diseases. She also researches the field of pedagogics.
Scaffolds designed to engineer tissues
Molly Stevens’ research focuses on designing and developing bioinspired materials for applications in regenerative medicine, tissue engineering and biosensing.
Normal and abnormal formation of blood cells
Stein Eirik Jacobsen is exploring the mechanisms and regulation of healthy blood formation and the causes of diseases of the blood, such as leukaemia.
Strengthened midwifery increases women's access to care
Marie Klingberg Allvin’s work involves strengthening midwifery, often in low-resource countries, in order to give women access to better healthcare. She believes in the integration of research and education – something that is also included in her new professorship.
Researching better ways to help the involuntary childless
A molecular dialogue between embryo and uterus is critical to pregnancy. Andres Salumets is researching this interaction to understand infertility and develop improved treatments for involuntary
Clinical improvements for joint operations
Olof Sköldenberg’s research aims to contribute to better treatment and diagnosis of injured joints – especially hip joints. In recent years, among other activities, he has investigated how artificial intelligence (AI) can be used as support in the analysis of orthopaedic X-ray images.
Helping to improve joint replacement surgery
Arkan Sayed-Noor researches orthopaedic surgery. He examines which factors are the most important for successful results and has taken a particular interest in biomechanical and geometrical restoration after joint replacement surgery.
Studying healing disorders in tendons and joints
Paul Ackermann is researching why problems often arise in the healing-process in tendons, ligaments, and other connective tissue in the locomotor system. His work can give rise to new therapies designed to help the injury to heal properly and prevent chronic pain and blood clots.
Researching orthopaedics for trauma patients
Patients who receive trauma therapy often have multiple fractures and other orthopaedic injuries, which in themselves can prove fatal. Anders Enocson is researching how orthopaedic surgery for these patients can be improved – from choice of surgical method to cooperation within the