Chemistry Section

  1. You are here:
  2. Start
  3. Chemistry Section
Print
Award winning teachers at the Chemistry Section
Welcome to the Chemistry Section
Research at the Chemistry Section
Education at the Chemistry Section
Master's Programmes
su.se/coronavirus

    Information for students and staff about the coronavirus

    Stockholm University is monitoring the situation and follows the information and recommendations of the Swedish Public Health Agency and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs regarding this matter.

    Information to students and staff

    Meet our alumni! Lola, medical manager

    Growing up in Spain, Lola Herman dreamed of becoming a ballet dancer. But her passion for making a difference and helping people lead her elsewhere. More specifically, to the Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics at Stockholm University. She is now working in medical affairs, being a part of bringing patients new therapies and hope for the future.

    Meet our alumni! Lola, medical manager

    Large infrastructure grant to EMC at Stockholm university

    The Electron Microscopy Center (EMC) at Stockholm University has been granted 15 MSEK by The Swedish Research Council for upgrade of the scanning electron microscopes (SEM) and soft matter sample preparation facilities.

    Large infrastructure grant to EMC at Stockholm university

    Congratulations to our new masters in Analytical Chemistry

    Another successful school year got a fantastic ending when eighth masters’ students on the Analytical Chemistry program defended their Master’s theses.

    Congratulations to our new masters in Analytical Chemistry

    "I had aha moments all the time during my studies"

    Daniel Martinez Molina's interest in nutrition led him to the Bachelors programme in nutriton - a program given in collaboration between SU and KI. Today, Daniel is the Head of Research and co-founder of Pelago Bioscience AB.

    "I had aha moments all the time during my studies"

    Mistra SafeChem

    Mistra SafeChem is a large Swedish research programme for green and sustainable chemical industry, with the aim to reduce exposure to hazardous substances.

    Mistra SafeChem

    Arrhenius plaque award 2020 to Professor David Drew

    David Drew, Professor at the Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics at the Chemistry Section, has been awarded the Arrhenius plaque award for 2020. The award has been given out annually since 1960 by the Swedish Chemical Society in memory of Svante Arrhenius.

    Arrhenius plaque award 2020 to Professor David Drew

    Stockholm University receives four ERC Advanced Grants

    Four researchers at Stockholm University are awarded prestigious ERC Advanced Grants. Their areas of research are within theatre studies, neurochemistry and physics. One of them is Professor Christian Broberger at the Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics at the Chemistry Section.

    Stockholm University receives four ERC Advanced Grants

    A new centre strengthens sustainable chemistry research

    A new centre will highlight and develop research and education on sustainable chemistry at Stockholm University. The centre will also have affiliations with research outside the Chemistry Section and actors external to the university.

    A new centre strengthens sustainable chemistry research

    Master's Programmes in chemistry

    Organic Chemistry, Analytical Chemistry, Protein Chemistry, Neurochemistry or Sustainable Chemistry- the choice is yours. The Chemistry Section offers four unique and advanced Master's programmes with a strong connection to the ongoing research. We also offer a Master's programme in Molecular Life Siences in collaboration with Karolinska Institutet (KI) and the Royal School of Technology (KTH). 

    All our programmes opens for application on the 15th of March 2021 with enrollement the fall of 2021!

    Read more about them here and read what our students say!

     

    Master's Programmes in chemistry

    From AI to green chemistry: how Stockholm University is tackling the climate crisis

    Researchers at Stockholm University are working on a wide range of challenges related to the climate crisis and creating a more sustainable future. The Local spoke to three of its experts about their work – and their hopes and concerns for the future.

    From AI to green chemistry: how Stockholm University is tackling the climate crisis

    One year with the pandemic

    It's hard to believe that it was a year ago this whole pandemic reached us. Our scientists at the Chemistry Section responded to the shortage of hand sanitizer and made more!

    Watch video to learn more

    One year with the pandemic

    MSc thesis project in Sustainable Materials Chemistry – APPLY NOW!

    Join the Sustainable Materials Chemistry research group to develop colloidal lignin particles for environmentally friendly industrial applications.

    MSc thesis project in Sustainable Materials Chemistry – APPLY NOW!

    Cell powerhouses offer potential for new drugs

    In this project the researchers want to understand every detail of processes that are absolutely essential for all life. An added bonus may be the development of new drugs for tuberculosis and other diseases.

    Cell powerhouses offer potential for new drugs

    Spring 2021 - List of courses and course information

    Preliminary schedules for advanced courses will be available a couple of weeks before course commencement.

    Please note that the roll call on the first day of the course is compulsary. 

    First period 2021 will mostly be taught online. Some courses will allow for very small groups on campus. Please check the course schedule to see if this applies to you.

    Teaching form for the second period has not been decided, as the format will depend on the spread of covid-19. This page will be updated as soon as we have more information to share.

    If you have any questions about the course or its contents please contact the Course Coordinator or the Chemistry Section & Student Affairs Office.

    Spring 2021 - List of courses and course information

    “Being on the Nobel Committee is probably one of the best things you can do as a Swedish researcher”

    Gunnar von Heijne is one of Sweden’s most cited researchers in the field of biochemistry and is known for his research on membrane proteins. He has also been a member and chairman of the Nobel Committee for chemistry. But it all started with an enthusiastic chemistry teacher in high school.

    “Being on the Nobel Committee is probably one of the best things you can do as a Swedish researcher”

    Small wood fibers can support the next generation of sustainable insulation

    Researchers from Stockholm University and their partners have shown that at higher humidity, water seeps inside the spaces of tiny nano-sized wooden fiber lattices – swelling the insulation material and stopping heat from moving through it. Known as super-insulating nanofibrillar foams, such wood-based products could replace petroleum-based ones, providing a huge step forward in sustainability for construction materials and packaging. The higher efficiency could also allow retrofitting the insulation in existing buildings without losing interior space or altering the façade.

    Small wood fibers can support the next generation of sustainable insulation

    "Research at its best is to come up with something new – a connection no one knows about"

    Astrid Gräslund is not only a legendary researcher in biophysics. She was also the first woman to be elected as a board member of the Nobel Foundation.

    "Research at its best is to come up with something new – a connection no one knows about"
    Smaranda, MSc in neurochemsitry in KÖL building

    ”Biochemistry has an elegance and profoundness that really stands out”

    Smaranda Bacanu from Bucharest left her chemistry studies behind and moved to Sweden. While figuring out her future, she tried working in the restaurant business. But since her passion for chemistry didn't fade, she signed up for the chemistry bachelor’s program at Stockholm University. Today, Smaranda is focusing on cancer research as a PhD student.

    ”Biochemistry has an elegance and profoundness that really stands out”

    Prof Lajban My main job as an academic teacher is to inspire students for higher studies

    The need for new, young researchers will steadily increase! Therefore, study chemistry at the highest level. These are the words of Professor Emeritus Lars-Johan Norrby. After 45 years as a teacher and researcher, he tells us about exciting discoveries, why the teacher role has been the most important one, and how he was given the nickname Lajban.

    Prof Lajban My main job as an academic teacher is to inspire students for higher studies

    Vote for the Hero of the Year 2020

    The sanitizer team at Stockholm University are finalists in the “Hero of the Year” award by Framtidsverket. Vote for the initiative that resulted in 22 000 liters of hand sanitizer.

    Vote for the Hero of the Year 2020

    Stockholm Material Hub creating the future of dentistry

    The Stockholm Material Hub, a Stockholm Trio collaboration, is working in collaboration with dentists and clinicians to create the next generation of materials for dental implants. The requirements for how an artificial tooth looks, functions and can be manufactured are exceedingly complex, but it seems likely that their zirconia-based materials will be the choice of the future. Read more about the collaboration headed by Professor James Shen from the Department of Material - and Environmental Chemistry.

    Stockholm Material Hub creating the future of dentistry

    Wallenberg grant for research on aggression

    How is aggression controlled in the brain and what methods can we use to influence it? These are some of the questions that Christian Broberger, professor of neurochemistry, hopes to get answers to during a five-year project that now receives SEK 20.4 million from the Knut and Alice Wallenberg Foundation.

    Wallenberg grant for research on aggression

    Our chemistry programs have achieved 94% student satisfaction!

    Every three to four years, the science faculty at Stockholm University performs a unique and comprehensive survey about what are our recent graduates up to? It is called “After the Studies” and in 2019 the seventh rendition of this study was done. 

    Our chemistry programs have achieved 94% student satisfaction!

    Chemical Practice Laboratory, KÖL 25 years!

    The first KÖL - Chemical Practice Laboratory was located at the Swedish Museum of Natural History and was Stockholm University's first building in Frescati. The building was inaugurated by Gustaf VI Adolf in 1963. The Chemical Practice Laboratory remained in the building until 1995, when the new premises at the Arrhenius Laboratory were ready.

    Join us when we look back on 25 years of chemistry at KÖL!

     

    Chemical Practice Laboratory, KÖL 25 years!

    Unexpected differences between rats and mice gives new insight into the male parental brain

    By making use of an unexpected species difference between rats and mice, scientists have identified a system in the brain that controls how males behave when they become fathers. A central component in this system is the hormone, prolactin, which has previously been shown to prepare the female for motherhood. The researchers were also able to control how much interest the males took in their offspring by experimental manipulations. These findings were published in the scientific journal Cell.

    Unexpected differences between rats and mice gives new insight into the male parental brain

    Information about studies at the Chemistry Section during restrictions due to Covid-19

    Teachers, TAs and administrative staff at the Chemistry Section are currently working hard to ensure we can deliver education of the same quality as under normal circumstances but being as flexible as possible to reduce risk of transmission. This can lead to that you as a student might get less scheduled time in the lab or that you will begin later and finish later (to avoid rush hour traffic) or that you cannot have lunch at KÖL before or after your lab work and you are not able to linger in KÖLs common areas after lectures or labs. Please read more about it here.

    Information about studies at the Chemistry Section during restrictions due to Covid-19

    Congratulations Agneta Norén, teacher of the year 2020!

    For the third year running, the "Teacher of the Year" award goes to the Chemistry Section! This year, the well-deserved winner is named Agneta Norén, who teaches biochemistry on the Bachelor's program in chemistry.

    Congratulations Agneta Norén, teacher of the year 2020!

    There are always new things to discover and be fascinated by

    Meet the Dean of Chemistry Berit Olofsson, who became a professor in organic chemistry when she was only 40 years old. She specifically works with questions concerning gender equality in the academy and strives for a bachelor's program in green chemistry. 
     
    – Organic chemistry requires an exciting combination of theoretical knowledge and experimental skills, where no day is ever the same in the lab, Berit says.

    There are always new things to discover and be fascinated by

    Roots and branches will become clothes for healthcare professionals

    Residues from Swedish forestry will replace cotton in the production of clothing textile fabrics for attire worn by healthcare providers, and thus reduce the climate load. This is the goal with a research project underway at Stockholm University in collaboration with Region Stockholm.

    Roots and branches will become clothes for healthcare professionals

    New NiMH batteries perform better when made from recycled old NiMH batteries

    A new method for recycling old batteries can provide better performing and cheaper rechargeable hydride batteries (NiMH) as shown in a new study by researchers at Stockholm University.

    New NiMH batteries perform better when made from recycled old NiMH batteries

    New solutions for cutting CO2 emissions

    In order for Sweden to reach the climate target of becoming fossil-free by 2045, new, innovative solutions are required. A new project with researchers from Stockholm University will develop green catalytic methods to convert carbon dioxide into new, sustainable materials.

    New solutions for cutting CO2 emissions

    In silico studies towards highly specific antibodies for the novel coronavirus

    A Brazilian research group together with professor Aatto Laksonen from the Department of Materials and Environmental Chemistry at Stockholm University and Petru Poni Institute in Iasi have confirmed how the spike protein receptor binding domain of the new coronavirus enters the human cell. Based on these molecular insights the researchers have been able to propose more efficient binder candidates. This discovery has the potential to improve the development of a new vaccine and/or an antiviral drug. These recent findings are published in the scientific journal Virus Research.

    In silico studies towards highly specific antibodies for the novel coronavirus

    3D printers are working hard at the Chemistry Section

    To continue our efforts in helping out during the Corona pandemic, PhD students at the Department of Material and Environmental Chemistry are using the labs 3D printers to make protective visors for medical staff in Sweden.

    3D printers are working hard at the Chemistry Section

    Mobile phone can contribute to simple virus testing

    Professor Mats Nilsson at Stockholm University is leading one of the projects focusing on covid-19, which now receives funding from SciLifeLab and the Knut and Alice Wallenberg Foundation. The project is about developing a quick and easy test for viruses, where the mobile phone can become an important tool.

    Mobile phone can contribute to simple virus testing

    Thank you for all the support

    During the Corona pandemic the Chemistry Section took an initiative to supply the hospitals in the Stockholm region with hand sanitiser. 

    Despite it being something that started here it could not have been done without support from healthcare staff, politicians, non-profit associations, other universities, the museum of Natural History, our students, scientists and technical staff, the alcohol and drug industry as well the general public. We are humbled by the fact that this has inspired other organisations to do the same.

    Mixing solutions is only one part of being a chemist. Chemists are experts in taking scientific facts and translating it into real action. Our commitment to create a sustainable world and a sustainable society is the foundation to all our research and education -  This is what has driven this initiative.

    Please follow the link to read more about our initative and also to watch movie about it.

    /The Chemistry Section

    Thank you for all the support

    New crystalline calcium phosphate may lead to innovative biomedical applications

    Researchers at the Department of Materials and Environmental Chemistry have discoverad a novel crystalline member of the calcium orthophosphate mineral family. This is an important class of biominerals for humans as it is an essential constituent of bone and tooth enamel. The discovery may result in new biomedical applications and improve the understanding of the biomineralization processes. The discovery was published in Nature Communications.

    New crystalline calcium phosphate may lead to innovative biomedical applications

    Athena and Zoom - digital alternatives for online education

    The Stockholm University Senior Management Team has 16 March decided that Stockholm University to the greatest extent possible will change to online teaching and examination as a way to contribute to reducing the spread of the new coronavirus and still be able to continue our activities. The transition will take place as soon as possible, based on each department’s different possibilities for switching to digital or alternative teaching methods. To achieve this we will make use of digital platforms such as Athena and Zoom.

    Athena and Zoom - digital alternatives for online education

    Stockholm University chemists mix hand sanitiser for current health care needs

    Just over 200 litres of newly produced hand sanitiser, plastic gloves, face masks and other items in high demand comprise the first consignment of disposable items, assembled by chemists at Stockholm University to be delivered to hospitals to help meet current urgent healthcare needs in the wake of the spread of COVID-19.

    Stockholm University chemists mix hand sanitiser for current health care needs

    Biochemist at Stockholm University new member of Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences

    Professor Martin Högbom, at the Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics, has become one of six new members of the Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences. "I was surprised and, of course, very happy when I got the message. KVA is a key player in strengthening the role of science in society, which is more important than ever," says Martin Högbom.

    Biochemist at Stockholm University new member of Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences

    Professor Ulrich Häussermann awarded the Röntgen-Ångström Cluster Grant 2020

    The Swedish Research Council has awarded Professor Ulrich Häussermann, at the Department of Environmental and Materials Chemistry, with a grant for the project “In-situ studies of hydrogenation reactions at high pressures - a step towards new superconducting hydride materials?”. This grants is given within the X-ray-Ångström Cluster 2020.
     

    Professor Ulrich Häussermann awarded the Röntgen-Ångström Cluster Grant 2020

    Göran Gustafsson Prize 2020 in chemistry awarded to David Drew

    The Chemistry Section congratulates David Drew, from the Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics, for receiving the prestigious Göran Gustafsson Prize 2020 in chemistry. We also congratulate Hiranya Peiris who has been awarded the same prize in physics.

    Göran Gustafsson Prize 2020 in chemistry awarded to David Drew

    Prominent US chemists guest professors at Stockholm University

    Paul Anastas and Robin D. Rogers are world-renowned for their work on developing eco-friendly chemicals. In 2019 and 2020, they hold guest professorships at the Department of Materials and Environmental Chemistry. The two tenures highlight the university’s leading position in the field of green chemistry.

    Prominent US chemists guest professors at Stockholm University

    Scientists discover how malaria parasites import sugar

    Researchers at the Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics has established how sugar is taken up by the malaria parasite, a discovery with the potential to improve the development of antimalarial drugs. The research is published in the scientific journal Nature.

    Scientists discover how malaria parasites import sugar

    Eminent research on flu antigens took Robert Daniels back to USA

    Intellectual freedom and the opportunity to start his own research group once lured Robert Daniels to the Chemistry Section at Stockholm University. After nine years of eminent academic research at the Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics, he landed a prestigious job in the US. Still, his focus is the same: to apply basic membrane protein folding principles to modernize and improve the antigens in seasonal influenza vaccines.

    Eminent research on flu antigens took Robert Daniels back to USA

    News

    Show more

    Chemistry Section & Student Affairs Office

    Opening and telephone hours

    Wednesday 10.00-11.30, 12.30-15.00

    E-mail: chemistry@su.se

    Phone: 08-16 3709

    Photos

    Unless otherwise is stated, all photos on kemi.su.se are by:

    Niklas Björling
    Unsplash
    Jens Olof Lasthein

    Information for international students

    Course application

    Find us