Our research
Our research combines fundamental studies of human reproductive biology with research on environmental and medical exposures that may impair female fertility. We work with donated female reproductive tissues and cells, clinical and population-based studies, and advanced in vitro models to understand reproductive toxicity and develop better ways to predict it.
Human ovarian biology
Detailed knowledge of the human ovary is essential for determining how fertility is affected by environmental exposures, disease and medical treatments. We study the cellular and molecular organisation of the ovary and how it changes from childhood through puberty and adult reproductive life.
A particular focus is the ovarian reserve – the population of immature eggs and their surrounding cells that provides the foundation for female fertility. Using single-cell and spatial technologies, we investigate how follicles and their surrounding cellular environment develop, communicate and respond to external challenges like gonadotoxic medial treatments and environmental chemical contaminants.
Our research on human ovarian biology builds on a long-standing collaboration between reproductive medicine and basic research at Karolinska Institutet and Karolinska University Hospital.
Threats to female fertility
Women are exposed throughout life to environmental chemical contaminants and medical treatments that may affect reproductive health. We study how these exposures relate to female fertility and how they affect reproductive tissues and cells.
In population and clinical studies, we investigate relationships between chemical exposures and fertility, ovarian function and reproductive outcomes. In the laboratory, we expose human ovarian tissue and reproductive cells to selected chemicals under controlled conditions to identify effects at molecular, cellular and functional levels and determine the mechanisms that may lead to impaired fertility.
We also study the effects of gonadotoxic medical treatments, particularly chemotherapy, on the ovaries of girls and young women. By connecting clinical observations with detailed molecular studies of human tissues, we aim to identify vulnerable cells and biological processes and ultimately improve prediction of individual risk.
Developing human-relevant models for reproductive toxicology
Current methods for testing reproductive toxicity rely heavily on experimental animals and provide limited information about effects on the human female reproductive system. A major goal of our research is therefore to develop human-relevant in vitro models that can complement or replace animal studies.
We use human ovarian tissue and cells as well as stem cell-based models of early embryonic development and implantation. By combining these models with molecular profiling, imaging and high-throughput technologies, we aim to identify biological responses that can be developed into practical assays for chemical testing.
Ultimately, we want to provide better tools for identifying chemicals and pharmaceuticals that may harm female reproductive health – and thereby contribute to safer chemical environments and better protection of fertility.
Selected projects
SAFER is funded by a European Research Council (ERC) Consolidator Grant and develops human-relevant in vitro tools for female reproductive toxicity. The project investigates how environmental chemicals affect human ovaries and early embryonic development, using ovarian tissue, stem cell-based embryo models and multi-omics approaches. The aim is to translate mechanistic knowledge of reproductive toxicity into new methods for chemical safety testing.
Sveafertil is a Swedish national clinical research study for girls and young women at high risk of infertility due to medical treatments. The study combines fertility preservation with research on human ovarian development and the effects of gonadotoxic treatments.
Through collaboration with paediatric oncology and haematology units across Sweden, we study ovarian tissue from childhood through puberty and investigate how medical treatments affect its cells, follicles and molecular organisation. The long-term goal is to improve assessment of fertility risk and fertility preservation for young patients.
Sveafertil is funded by the Swedish Childhood Cancer Fund, Karolinska Institutet and the Rydbeck Foundation.
MERLON is a five-year Horizon Europe project bringing together researchers across Europe to improve the identification and regulation of endocrine-disrupting chemicals. The project combines human data, experimental models, molecular approaches and Adverse Outcome Pathways to investigate how endocrine disruptors affect sexual development and reproductive function.
Our group contributes human-relevant experimental approaches and develops New Approach Methodologies (NAMs) for ovarian toxicity that can ultimately support chemical risk assessment.
HERTOX is a five-year FORMAS project that develops human-relevant high-throughput screening methods for identifying chemicals that may harm female fertility. We are adapting technologies originally developed for large-scale drug screening to human ovarian and endometrial cell models.
Using 2D and 3D cultures, automated imaging and molecular and cellular endpoints, the project will enable thousands of chemicals to be screened for effects on female reproductive cells. The goal is to turn biological knowledge about reproductive toxicity into scalable methods that can contribute to future chemical safety assessment.
