Department of Laboratory Medicine has established the Center for Systems Infection Biology (CSIB), a new interdisciplinary initiative designed to bring together advanced technologies and expertise to accelerate discoveries in infection biology and their translation into clinical practice. This change formalises a research line that has been growing over the past years into a recognised structural center at Karolinska Institutet.
The Center for Systems Infection Biology (CSIB) is founded on a strong track record of internationally recognised research and has been made possible through support from several major European and Swedish research initiatives.
CSIB will serve as a platform for bringing together cutting-edge capabilities in spatial omics, super-resolution microscopy, advanced artificial intelligence driven multi-omics integration, and clinical data science.
By connecting these technologies within a unified molecular intelligence platform, the CSIB aims to provide new insights into infectious diseases and host-pathogen interactions.
Photo: Stefan Zimmerman
“The establishment of the center is the culmination of many years of collaborative research and investments through European and Swedish funding programmes,” says Ujjwal Neogi , docent at the Department of Laboratory Medicine and director of the center. “We previously operated as a research group with our various internal and external collaborators, but now CSIB becomes a dedicated interdisciplinary center under one governance structure with a clear mandate for technology development and translation for pandemic preparedness. It creates a unique environment where advanced technologies can be integrated to address fundamental questions in infection biology while maintaining a clear focus on clinical translation.”
A hub for innovation
A central objective of the center is to foster collaboration across scientific disciplines and institutional boundaries. Researchers will work closely with clinicians, computational scientists, imaging specialists, and technology developers to create innovative approaches for understanding disease mechanisms and identifying new diagnostic and therapeutic opportunities.
Photo: Private
“Some of the most important challenges in biomedical research require expertise that spans multiple disciplines,” says Iva Filipovic , senior research specialist at the Department of Laboratory Medicine and deputy director of the center. “The center status opens doors to larger consortium-scale funding calls that require a more formal multi-disciplinary structure, and it makes us a more visible and attractive partner to continue building on our already extensive international networks and industry collaborations, including further EU and US academic partnerships.”
Beyond supporting scientific discovery, CSIB will contribute to strengthening research infrastructure, training, and international collaboration. The center is expected to play an important role in connecting researchers across Europe and facilitating access to advanced technologies and analytical platforms.
The department’s perspective
“At the department point of view, the vision is to create a hub where innovation in technology, biology, and medicine converges,” says Jonas Fuxe , professor and head of the Department of Laboratory Medicine . “By building on the momentum generated through our European collaborations, we hope to establish a lasting platform that advances both scientific knowledge and patient care.”
Through its interdisciplinary approach and strong international foundation, the Center for Systems Infection Biology aims to position at the forefront of next-generation infection research and molecular medicine.
