Research at Karolinska Institutet
Karolinska Institutet accounts for the single largest share of all academic medical research conducted in Sweden. The research spans the entire biomedical field – from basic experimental research to clinical studies in collaboration with the health care system. Pioneering research is conducted here in, for example, cancer, neuroscience, immunology, epidemiology, nursing and global health.
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Resources in brief
Core facilities
Research at our departments
Karolinska Institutet has 22 departments devided into three department groups or main campuses. Find brief descriptions of the research conducted at each department and links forward to their webpages.
Research centres
A research centre aims to create a dynamic collaboration and share resources within a certain field of research. Research centres at KI can be either collaborations between departments or with other organisations.
SciLifeLab
SciLifeLab is a collaboration between multiple Swedish universities, and a national research infrastructure. One of the core missions of SciLifeLab is to provide technologies facilitating the large-scale analysis of biological processes at the molecular level.
Meet our researchers
He wants to create order in chaos
When others run away from bad things, Johan von Schreeb can be found dashing towards them. He has a wealth of experience in bringing order to chaotic situations – but as an administrator, he’s a complete disaster. Meet the professor who wants to control the health crises of the future.
Three times the ERC Advanced Grant
Meet Patrik Ernfors, a researcher who wants to understand how the experience of pain is affected by our state of mind. Recently, he was awarded the prestigious ERC Advanced Grant – for the third time.
Inauguration of 21 new professors
Ageing in people with haemophilia, exosomes, and the importance of oral health – these are some of the areas that the new professors at Karolinska Institutet are interested in. In mid-October it is time for the annual inauguration ceremony in Aula Medica.
She wants to improve the lives of people with stroke
Professor and occupational therapist Susanne Guidetti wants to make life worth living for stroke victims. ‘I’ve learned that life can’t be taken for granted, but also that we can affect our situations much more than we think,’ she says.
In depth articles and features
Network medicine opens new ways of understanding
The causes of complex diseases can be identified by representing them in the form of mathematically produced networks. This method was used to find bacteria that drive atopic dermatitis, for example.
How screen habits affects children's health
Screen time is often associated with poor health in young people, but it is more complicated than that, say researchers. We are affected, but differently and not just negatively. What we do on our phones – and what we do when we are not using them – also plays a role in our well-being.
Can climate worry be used constructively?
About half of the Swedish population feels a strong climate worry. This is normal because the climate threat is real, says researcher Fabian Lenhard, who is starting a study on climate change. The research project will be attempting to channel worry about climate change into sustainable development.
The evolution of virus variants
Hopefully we are nearing the end of the pandemic. But the virus is still there and scientists expect that new variants may emerge. Making us more sick, however, is not on the viral agenda.
How health is translated into money
Spotlight on antibiotic resistance
Spotlight on precision medicine
Spotlight on COVID-19
Spotlight on health inequities
Useful on research at KI
Animal research
Animal research is strictly regulated and comes under both Swedish and EU legislation on animal welfare.
Collaboration worldwide
International collaborations are crucial for KI to fulfill our mission and strive towards better health for all.
Doctoral education
World-class research and specialised research environments create a breeding ground for PhD studies at KI.
New doctoral theses
Each year, around 350 doctoral students at KI will present their thesis to their peers in science.
The Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine
In his will, Alfred Nobel appointed Karolinska Institutet to award the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine.
Research subjects wanted
By participating you will be helping to make progress in research, which may lead to new or more effective treatments.
Top publications list
Current articles to which our researchers have contributed and that have been published in selected top-ranked journals.
University Library
Find papers, advice about bibliometrics and publishing strategy, academic writing workshops, and much more.
Working at KI
KI's vision is to be one of the leading medical universities in the world. Our committed and competent employees make this possible.
KI in numbers
Find KI's key indicators for the last years. Did you, for example, know that about 50% of our research is financed with external grants and awards?