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Understanding how life develops – Emma Andersson's Group

From egg to germ layers to organ systems

A group of people.

Our research

The Andersson Lab is driven by curiosity to elucidate the fundamental principles governing organ system development, with a focus on the molecular and cellular mechanisms that establish precise cellular identities and tissue architectures. As developmental biologists, we investigate how genetic mutations perturb embryogenesis, leading to organ-specific malformations. Our research is at the forefront of technological innovation, integrating next-generation methodologies to interrogate organogenesis and engineer precise perturbations in embryonic development, with an emphasis on the ethical framework of the 3Rs (Replacement, Reduction, Refinement). A central focus of our work is Alagille syndrome, a Notch-signaling disorder that disrupts the coordinated development of multiple organ systems, including the liver and vasculature. To address these complex biological questions, we harness an interdisciplinary toolkit comprising in utero genome engineering, advanced 3D cell culture systems, CRISPR-based cellular modeling, single-cell multiomics, and patient-derived samples. By pioneering novel approaches and leveraging cutting-edge technologies, we aim to redefine our understanding of developmental biology and translate key discoveries into insights with direct relevance to human disease.

Ultrasound-guided nanoinjection targets many developing organs, including the tongue papillae. Lentivirus infected cells express nuclear Histone2B-red fluorescent protein, Pax6 (in green) labels papillae and Tuj1 (in cytosolic red) labels innervation of these. Nuclei are counterstained with DAPI. Photo: Emma Andersson

Publications

Selected publications

  • Article: DEVELOPMENT. 2024;151(21):dev202949
    de Haan S; Corbat AA; Cederroth CR; Autrum LG; Hankeova S; Driver EC; Canlon B; Kelley MW; Andersson ER
  • Article: EMBO MOLECULAR MEDICINE. 2024;16(11):2946-2975
    Masek J; Filipovic I; Van Hul N; Belicova L; Jirouskova M; Oliveira DV; Frontino AM; Hankeova S; He J; Turetti F; Iqbal A; Cervenka I; Sarnova L; Verboven E; Brabec T; Bjoerkstrom NK; Gregor M; Dobes J; Andersson ER
  • Editorial comment: NATURE GENETICS. 2024;56(5):740-742
    Belicova L; Van Hul N; Andersson ER
  • Article: CURRENT OPINION IN CELL BIOLOGY. 2024;86:102302
    Masek J; Andersson ER
  • Journal article: LIVER INTERNATIONAL. 2024;44(2):i
    Iqbal A; Van Hul N; Belicova L; Corbat AA; Hankeova S; Andersson ER
  • Article: LIVER INTERNATIONAL. 2024;44(2):541-558
    Iqbal A; Van Hul N; Belicova L; Corbat AA; Hankeova S; Andersson ER
  • Article: NUCLEIC ACIDS RESEARCH. 2023;51(20):11162-11177
    Kosek DM; Banijamali E; Becker W; Petzold K; Andersson ER
  • Article: EMBO MOLECULAR MEDICINE. 2022;14(12):e15809
    Hankeova S; Van Hul N; Laznovsky J; Verboven E; Mangold K; Hensens N; Adori C; Verhoef E; Zikmund T; Dawit F; Kavkova M; Salplachta J; Sjoqvist M; Johansson BR; Hassan MG; Fredriksson L; Baumgartel K; Bryja V; Lendahl U; Jheon A; Alten F; Fahnehjelm KT; Fischler B; Kaiser J; Andersson ER
  • Editorial comment: HEPATOLOGY. 2022;75(3):505-507
    Andersson ER
  • Article: CELL REPORTS: METHODS. 2021;1(4):100043
    Mangold K; Masek J; He J; Lendahl U; Fuchs E; Andersson ER
  • Editorial comment: SCIENCE. 2021;371(6532):887-888
    Andersson ER
  • Article: ELIFE. 2021;10:e60916
    Hankeova S; Salplachta J; Zikmund T; Kavkova M; Van Hul N; Brinek A; Smekalova V; Laznovsky J; Dawit F; Jaros J; Bryja V; Lendahl U; Ellis E; Nemeth A; Fischler B; Hannezo E; Kaiser J; Andersson ER
  • Article: GASTROENTEROLOGY. 2018;154(4):1080-1095
    Andersson ER; Chivukula IV; Hankeova S; Sjoqvist M; Tsoi YL; Ramskold D; Masek J; Elmansuri A; Hoogendoorn A; Vazquez E; Storvall H; Netusilova J; Huch M; Fischler B; Ellis E; Contreras A; Nemeth A; Chien KC; Clevers H; Sandberg R; Bryja V; Lendahl U
  • Review: DEVELOPMENT. 2017;144(10):1743-1763
    Masek J; Andersson ER

Funding

We are grateful for support from:

  • The European Research Council (ERC Consolidator Grant)
  • The Swedish Research Council (3R project grant and Medicine & Health grant, VetenskapsrÃ¥det)
  • The Knut and Alice Wallenberg Foundation (KAW Project grant)
  • Funding in the KI Career Ladder
  • StratRegen and StratNeuro SFOs
  • Ming Wai Lau Center
  • The Hearing Foundation (Hörselforskningsfonden)

Staff and contact

Group leader

All members of the group

Visiting address

̽»¨¾«Ñ¡, Solnavägen 9, Biomedicum, Solna, 171 65, Sweden