Building new bridges for research at Campus Flemingsberg
In October, the Collaboration in Science conference attracted approximately 450 registered participants to Campus Flemingsberg to learn about research being conducted at Karolinska Institutet and Karolinska University Hospital.
“I’m impressed by the excellent turnout – this creates a large number of interactions and collaborations. It’s especially important that we strengthen opportunities for clinical research, which have declined in recent years,” says Bengt Winblad, Professor of Geriatrics at the Department of Neurobiology, Care Sciences and Society.
Winblad was one of the keynote speakers at Collaboration in Science 2022. He gave a look back at his impressive research career and an insight into recent advances in the development of new drugs to treat Alzheimer’s.
The two-day conference had a very broad programme that focused on much of the research being conducted at Campus Flemingsberg. This included everything from research in aging to cell biology and transplantation, sepsis, covid and nursing. Participants could also visit an exhibition of approximately 140 research posters.
A joint initiative
The conference itself was a joint initiative between Annika Bergquist, Site Manager at Karolinska University Hospital, and Maria Eriksdotter, Dean of KI Syd.
“We’ve long felt the need to build bridges between more researchers and research groups, and this is one way to do it. And the day really lived up to our expectations. The halls were full of people interacting, and several participants have asked whether we should make this an annual event from now on,” says Bergquist, who is also Director of the Center for Innovative Medicine, CIMED, which helped to bring the conference to fruition.
“This is completely in line with CIMED’s goal of strengthening the research environment, and this happens best when people have the opportunity to meet,” she says.
“It’s also important that our core facilities are in place to make visible what resources and opportunities for collaboration exist in the area – theses are daily bridge builders,” she adds.
Measuring brain activity
Core facilities shown during the conference included uMOVE, which offers support for the use of different systems for motion analysis. Various technologies were demonstrated including one for measuring brain activity using near-infrared light.
“We use a wireless fNIRS system to measure brain activity during various types of movement and activity. This is a relatively new technology that makes it possible to measure everyday activities,” says Lucian Bezuidenhout, Postdoctoral Researcher at Karolinska Institutet.
uMOVE is currently conducting a study comparing brain activity between people with Parkinson’s and healthy subjects.
“We offer our equipment and analysis capabilities to researchers and businesses. For example, we’ve helped companies that manufacture so-called exoskeletons to evaluate their technologies.”
Limitless Potential: Winner of the Flemingsberg Science Award 2025
Young people in disadvantaged areas often face mental health challenges and a lack of support, which can lead to isolation and destructive choices. Limitless Potential, winner of the Flemingsberg Science Award IDEA 2025, has created a safe space where creativity and social entrepreneurship come together to support youth.
Alfa Laval strengthens Flemingsberg – establishes itself in a growing city of the future
In May 2025, Alfa Laval moved into its new office and innovation center, spanning approximately 20,000 square meters, together with around 700 employees. At the same time, the restaurant K-märkt opened, further expanding the range of services available in Flemingsberg. The Royal Swedish Opera and Dramaten, Alfa Laval, Restaurant Billmans, and K-märkt all represent important pieces of the puzzle in the development of Flemingsberg.
En nationell resurs för morgondagens behandlingar – nu är Karolinska ATMP Centrum invigt
Med ett tydligt budskap om framtidstro och ett kraftfullt samarbete invigdes Karolinska ATMP Centrum i Flemingsberg i slutet av augusti. Centret är ett samarbete mellan Karolinska Institutet och Karolinska Universitetssjukhuset, och kommer fungera som en nationell resurs för tillverkning av avancerade terapier (ATMP), där forskning, kliniska prövningar och behandlingar smidigt samverkar för att leverera banbrytande terapier till patienter.
She’s Building Bridges Between People and Place – Meet Karin, the Placemaker Behind the Future of Flemingsberg
Karin Lekberg is paving the way for the Flemingsberg of the future, a place where knowledge and creativity meet. She envisions a vibrant area full of culture, evening and nightlife, and a natural meeting place for both students and creators. But when the goal feels far away, it’s about starting where you are, creating life and activity here and now, and above all, building on the stories that already exist, allowing the place to grow into its future.
Hon bygger broar mellan människor och plats – möt Karin, platsmäklaren bakom framtidens Flemingsberg
Karin Lekberg krattar vägen för framtidens Flemingsberg, platsen där kunskap och kreativitet möts. Hon vill skapa ett levande område med kultur, kvälls- och nattliv, och en naturlig plats för både studenter och kreatörer. Men när målet känns långt bort handlar det om att börja där man står, att skapa liv och aktiviteter här och nu, och inte minst bygga vidare på de berättelser som redan finns och låta platsen växa in i sin framtid.
