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Life Science

On this page we collect articles about research in Life Science at Stockholm University and SciLifeLab.

Foto: Hyunho Kim

News

How commensal bacteria prime antiviral immunity

The gut microbiota protects against viral infections by keeping the immune system alert

The microbiota is fundamental for health. But how these non-invasive microbes communicate with the rest of the body to influence host physiology is not fully understood. Researchers from Stockholm, Umeå, and Gothenburg Universities, Sweden report how the gut microbiota is essential for natural resistance to viral infections. They show that the release of the membrane vesicles from the gut microbiota leads to the systemic delivery of bacterial DNA to host cells. This triggers the cytosolic cGAS-STING-IFN-I axis for innate immune DNA sensing, thereby protecting distal organs against viral infections. The study is published in the journal Immunity.

The gut microbiota protects against viral infections by keeping the immune system alert - Read the full article
Life Science - Theme page
A schematic description of the research strategy. Illustration: Eloy Vallina

Physics provides new perspective on cellular function and evolution

Researchers have mapped the physicochemical properties of proteins in 20,000 organisms. The results, published in The Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (PNAS), show that the properties provide clues to understanding evolution and adaptation, and add new dimensions to the established taxonomical classification system.

Physics provides new perspective on cellular function and evolution - Read the full article
Chemistry - Theme page Physics - Theme page Life Science - Theme page
Erik Lindahl

His software has taken the life sciences to a new level

The GROMACS computer software developed by Erik Lindahl’s research group to simulate the molecules of life, is used all around the world to study different processes in our cells. He is using the software to solve a medical riddle: how can substances like alcohol and narcotics cause our nerve cells to disfunction?

His software has taken the life sciences to a new level - Read the full article
Chemistry - Theme page Life Science - Theme page
Pål Stenmark sees botulinum toxins as Lego building kits that can change to give them new features and become even more useful. Photo: Rickard Kihlström
Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics

The world's most dangerous poison can be of great benefit as a drug

Pål Stenmark sees botulinum toxin – the world's most dangerous poison – as a lego building kit he can change so that it gets new features. One goal is to develop new and more effective drugs, including for pain. Through molecular genealogy, he has also found a new family of botulinum toxins, where a variant can fight malaria mosquitoes.

The world's most dangerous poison can be of great benefit as a drug - Read the full article
Chemistry - Theme page Health and Living Conditions - Theme page Life Science - Theme page
Figure. Cryo EM maps of the mammalian Na+/H+ exchanger NHA2 in nanodiscs using data collected from the Cryo-EM Swedish National Facility at SciLife Stockholm for cryo-EM data collection as well as the Umeå Core Facility for Electron Microscopy (UCEM) and the European Synchrotron Radiation Facility (ESRF).
Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics

Scientists show how a salt transporter linked to hypertension and diabetes works

NHA2 is a protein spanning the membrane in kidney and -cells that absorbs salt and its activity is linked with hypertension and diabetes in humans. The transporter-protein exchangers the movement of sodium ions across cell membranes with the movement of protons. Researchers at Stockholm University have now determined what the protein looks like and how the protein adapts to the membrane. These findings shed new light into this important biological mechanism, and provide a basis for structural-based drug discovery.

Scientists show how a salt transporter linked to hypertension and diabetes works - Read the full article
Chemistry - Theme page Life Science - Theme page
Eva Hedlund's basic research aims to find new treatments for patients with diseases such as ALS (amyotrophic lateral sclerosis) and SMA (spinal muscle atrophy). Photo: Sören Andersson
Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics

Basic research for the benefit of ALS patients

By understanding why certain nerve cells and the muscles they control are resistant to fading in the deadly disease ALS, it is possible to create new possibilities for treatments. Researchers at Stockholm University are now trying to identify and transfer the properties of these resistant nerve cells.

Basic research for the benefit of ALS patients - Read the full article
SciLifeLab - Theme page Chemistry - Theme page Brain Research - Theme page Life Science - Theme page
Figure: The non-heme iron site of PSII catalyze the formation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) upon dissociation of bicarbonate (HCO3-). Figure by F. Allgöwer.
Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics

Researchers at SU and Imperial College show how Photosystem II can produce reactive oxygen species

Photosystem II (PSII) is a key enzyme in photosynthesis that produces oxygen by capturing sunlight. The reaction couples to the reduction of plastoquinone, which in turn is used for the synthesis of biomass by fixation of CO2.

Researchers at SU and Imperial College show how Photosystem II can produce reactive oxygen species - Read the full article
Chemistry - Theme page Life Science - Theme page
Eva Sverremark-Ekström

Molecular conversations between cells could explain why allergies develop

There are strong links between disordered gut flora and the development of allergies. But why? Eva Sverremark-Ekström is mapping the communication between bacteria in the gut and immune cells. For example, her research shows that the bacteria appear to send critical messages to the immune system, using nano-sized sacs filled with molecules.

Molecular conversations between cells could explain why allergies develop - Read the full article
Health and Living Conditions - Theme page Life Science - Theme page
Pål Stenmark

The world’s most dangerous poison may be a valuable pharmaceutical

Pål Stenmark regards botulinum toxin – the world’s most dangerous poison – as a set of building blocks he can redesign and give new functions. One aim is to produce new and more effective pharmaceuticals, including pain treatments. Using molecular research, he has also found a new family of botulinum toxins, where one variant can help counteract malaria mosquitoes.

The world’s most dangerous poison may be a valuable pharmaceutical - Read the full article
Chemistry - Theme page Health and Living Conditions - Theme page Life Science - Theme page
Schematic depiction of how by impeding the repair of DNA breaks, ALRs enhance the killing effects.

The DNA sensors ALRs regulate genome repair and are targets for improve radiation and chemotherapy

Researchers at Stockholm University have identified key genetic factors important for the efficacy of radiation and chemotherapy. These proteins called AIM2-like receptors (ALRs) are possible biomarkers for predicting the patients’ response to treatment and could be targeted to achieve optimal outcome radiation and chemotherapy.

The DNA sensors ALRs regulate genome repair and are targets for improve radiation and chemotherapy - Read the full article
Life Science - Theme page
Foto: Mostphotos

The Swedish COVID-19 Data Portal after one year

The COVID-19 pandemic has changed the way research is conducted. Openly sharing data and code, data reuse and collaborations have proven to be important tools for the rapid pace of research, but also to provide transparency and to enhance the reproducibility of research. The national Swedish COVID-19 Data Portal, operated by SciLifeLab, supports COVID-19 related data sharing and was launched one year ago on June 3.

The Swedish COVID-19 Data Portal after one year - Read the full article
Corona Research - Theme page SciLifeLab - Theme page Life Science - Theme page Health and Living Conditions - Theme page
Photo: Hyunho Kim

Mapping energy conversion in cells

Billions of years of evolution are behind the ingenious protein machinery in nature’s cells, which captures and converts energy. Professor Ville Kaila is conducting a detailed study of the structure and function of the proteins to learn more about the energy conversion process. That knowledge may eventually result in therapies for diseases where the powerhouses of the cells fall short.

Mapping energy conversion in cells - Read the full article
Life Science - Theme page SciLifeLab - Theme page Chemistry - Theme page
Science cover

Electron cryo-microscopy sheds light on how bioenergy makers are made in our body

Using advanced infrastructure at SciLifeLab and Stockholm University, scientists uncover how the body’s energy makers are made. A new paper published in Science by Alexey Amunts’ laboratory with an international team of researchers reports the molecular mechanism of membrane-tethered protein synthesis in mitochondria.

Electron cryo-microscopy sheds light on how bioenergy makers are made in our body - Read the full article
Life Science - Theme page SciLifeLab - Theme page
African clawed frog

Multigenerational effects of pesticides

The effects of the endocrine disruptor linuron on frogs are not limited to those exposed, but are passed on to their offspring and grand-offspring. First generation offspring have reduced body weight and decreased fertility, while second generation offspring have increased body weight and a disrupted metabolism. This is demonstrated by a new study conducted by researchers at Uppsala University and Stockholm University that has now been published in the journal Science of the Total Environment.

Multigenerational effects of pesticides - Read the full article
Life Science - Theme page Plants, Animals and Nature - Theme page Climate and Environment - Theme page
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Research projects

Cell Motility and the role of Profilin

This project reflects a long-standing interest in eukaryotic cell motility, i.e. movements of intracellular structures and migration of whole cells. Profilin is a coordinator of the two principal force generating machineries behind virtually all cell motility as first revealed by us and therefore takes a special interest in our studies.

Research
DataLEASH: LEarning And SHaring under Privacy Constraints

With massive amounts of personal data being generated, privacy has become a great challenge. This project studies how machine learning can be used for sharing language models without risking to share information that may identify individuals.

Genre photo: Multi-colored text on a computer screen. Photo: Shahadat Rahman/Unsplash.
Establishment of epigenetic landscapes

Epigenetic patterns of histone modifications contribute to the maintenance of tissue-specific gene expression, but little is known about how such patterns are initially formed during early embryo development. We study this process in Drosophila.

The Dorsal protein forms a gradient along the ventral-dorsal axis to specify mesoderm, neurogenic ectoderm, and dorsal ectoderm. High Dorsal concentration activates genes in the mesoderm, whereas intermediate Dorsal concentration activates neurogenic ectoderm genes that are repressed in the mesoderm by Snail. Dorsal can be converted to a repressor to prevent expression of dorsal ectoderm targets in mesoderm and neurogenic ectoderm. In Toll10B mutants, the entire embryo is converted to mesoderm, Tollrm9/rm10 mutant embryos become neurogenic ectoderm, and in gd7 embryos all cells are turned into dorsal ectoderm.
Transcription, coregulators and histone acetylation

Gene transcription is essential for cell identity and its misregulation causes disease. This project explores the connection between transcription and chromatin modifications that make genes accessible to the transcriptional machinery.

Transcriptional coregulators associate with DNA bound transcription factors (activators or repressors) and promote or prevent binding of RNA polymerase II to the transcription start site.
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Research groups

Emerita Faye

Our aim is to study the effects of bacterial phosphoantigens (HMBPP and IPP) on appetite. We introduced these into mice by gavage and followed the differences in weight gain and gene transcription from relevant tissues. An unexpected effect on male salivary glands focused our interest also on their effects on immune response.

Ingrid Faye
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Emeritus Karlsson

Roger Karlsson's research reflects a long-standing interest in eukaryotic cell motility, i.e. movements of intracellular structures and migration of whole cells.

Roger Karlsson
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Group Andréasson

We study how cells safeguard health and aging by maintaining their proteomes functional. Our research develops fundamental insight into the mechanisms of the proteostasis system.

Claes Andréasson
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Group Barragan

Our current research on the pathobiology of parasitic infections integrates molecular parasitology with immunology and cell biology to understand how obligate intracellular parasites interact with the host.

Antonio Barragan
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Group Büttner

We study how different organelles within a cell communicate and how this interorganellar connectivity contributes to protein homeostasis and cellular fitness during aging.

Sabrina Büttner
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Group Dai

Regulation of cell fate decision is fundamental to development, disease, and regeneration. We address how gene regulatory systems guide the assembly of complex biological patterns by investigating stem cell biology and cell fate decision mechanisms.

Qi Dai
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Group Engström

We study gene expression with a focus on the role of POU/Oct transcription factors in development, stem cell regulation, cancer and immunity. We use the fruitfly Drosophila as a model organism and utilize the genetic tools developed for this organism, in combination with high-throughput expression analyses, high resolution microscopy and live-cell imaging.

Ylva Engström
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Group Jastroch

We investigate the physiology and molecular mechanisms of energy metabolism from the organism to the molecule. We focus on metabolic aspects during obesity, adipose tissue biology, mitochondrial mechanisms and thermogenesis.

Martin Jastroch
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Group Jonas

Our group studies how bacteria grow and reproduce in fluctuating environments. We use a combination of genetics, cell biology and biochemistry to dissect the molecular mechanisms underlying bacterial growth and cell cycle progression and how these processes are regulated under changing environmental conditions to ensure bacterial survival.

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Group Keipert

The main focus of our research group is to understand how endocrine crosstalk, involving adipose tissue, controls mammalian energy metabolism. Our goal is to identify target mechanisms for novel therapeutic strategies to fight obesity.

Susanne Keipert
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Group Ljungdahl

Amino acids are essential nutrients that serve as building blocks of proteins and some are efficiently metabolized for energy. Eukaryotic cells respond to extracellular amino acids by enhancing their uptake. We study the molecular mechanisms underlying this response and the role of amino acid metabolism in promoting virulent growth of human fungal pathogens.

Per Ljungdahl
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Group Ozata

As a new research group aiming to construct an international work environment with a mutual respect, our main objective is to enthusiastically investigate how a mammalian male germ cell commits to become a functional sperm. Our studies will therefore advance our understanding of sperm development and may suggest approaches to promote fertility.

Deniz Ozata
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Group Spetz

We are exploring basic mechanisms regarding a group of small non-coding oligonucleotides and their therapeutic potential. We have discovered that a set of single-stranded oligonucleotides temporarily inhibits certain endocytic pathways and thereby affect innate immune pathways as well as providing anti-viral effects.

Anna-Lena Spetz
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Group Theopold

We are interested in the innate immune system, its activation, development and interaction with other aspects of physiology. To understand innate immunity at the organismic level, we use the vinegar fly Drosophila melanogaster.

Ulrich Theopold
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Group Visa

Our research aims at understanding the mechanisms by which RNA and RNA degradation by the exosome contribute to chromatin regulation, gene expression and genome integrity.

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Group Wojcik

We are interested in biological and physical factors affecting cellular and molecular effects of ionising radiation. Focus is on DNA damage and repair, chromatin structure, low doses, low dose rates, mixed radiation qualities, fractionation and modulation by chemical and physical factors.

Andrzej Wojcik
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Group Åström

We explore how cells maintain genome stability using yeast cells as a model. Specifically, we investigate repetitive DNA such as telomeres and the rDNA loci. We are interested in both telomere maintenance and DNA repair mechanisms.

Stefan Åström
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