Genetic and pharmacological epidemiology – Zeberg laboratory

Other topics of interest include pharmacogenetics and the genetic predisposition to infectious diseases, such as COVID-19.

Our approaches include both bioinformatics and functional studies.

Research projects

Functional understanding of genetic risk factor for COVID-19 

In this project we are trying to reveal why some of the most important genetic risk factors for COVID-19 increase the risk of severe disease. We are studying these genetic variants both in-vitro and how they present themselves in patients carrying these variants. 

Genetic risk factors inherited from archaic humans

Modern humans met Neandertals, and their Asian cousins Denisovans, approximately 60 000 years ago. As a consequence, present day people with roots outside Africa carry genetic variants inherited from these archaic humans. In this project we are studing the functional consequence of this genetic inheritance.

Genetic variability of genes encoding G-protein coupled receptors and enzymes

Using in-vitro techniques such as the Xenopus oocytes expression system and fluorescence based assays, we are trying to link mutations primarily affecting the protein sequence to functional consequences. 

Selected publications

The major genetic risk factor for severe COVID-19 is associated with protection against HIV.
Zeberg H
Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2022 03;119(9):

Multi-ancestry fine mapping implicates OAS1 splicing in risk of severe COVID-19.
Huffman JE, Butler-Laporte G, Khan A, Pairo-Castineira E, Drivas TG, Peloso GM, Nakanishi T, , Ganna A, Verma A, Baillie JK, Kiryluk K, Richards JB, Zeberg H
Nat Genet 2022 02;54(2):125-127

A substitution in the glutathione reductase lowers electron leakage and inflammation in modern humans.
Coppo L, Mishra P, Siefert N, Holmgren A, Pääbo S, Zeberg H
Sci Adv 2022 Jan;8(1):eabm1148

A genomic region associated with protection against severe COVID-19 is inherited from Neandertals.
Zeberg H, Pääbo S
Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2021 03;118(9):

Longitudinal variability in mortality predicts COVID-19 deaths.
Lundberg JO, Zeberg H
Eur J Epidemiol 2021 Jun;36(6):599-603

The major genetic risk factor for severe COVID-19 is inherited from Neanderthals.
Zeberg H, Pääbo S
Nature 2020 11;587(7835):610-612

The Neandertal Progesterone Receptor.
Zeberg H, Kelso J, Pääbo S
Mol Biol Evol 2020 09;37(9):2655-2660

A Neanderthal Sodium Channel Increases Pain Sensitivity in Present-Day Humans.
Zeberg H, Dannemann M, Sahlholm K, Tsuo K, Maricic T, Wiebe V, Hevers W, Robinson HPC, Kelso J, Pääbo S
Curr Biol 2020 09;30(17):3465-3469.e4

Antipsychotics with similar association kinetics at dopamine D2 receptors differ in extrapyramidal side-effects.
Zeberg H, Sahlholm K
Nat Commun 2018 09;9(1):3577

Dopamine D2 Receptor Agonist Binding Kinetics-Role of a Conserved Serine Residue.
Ågren R, Stepniewski TM, Zeberg H, Selent J, Sahlholm K
Int J Mol Sci 2021 Apr;22(8):