Biomolecular Tools and Biomaterials
Biomolecular research at KTH focuses on the discovery of biomarkers and the development of molecules, materials, and tools for diagnostics and therapeutics.
Biomolecular research at KTH focuses on the discovery of biomarkers and the development of molecules, materials, and tools for diagnostics and therapeutics. Furthermore, KTH has a long experience in the development of novel bioassays and high-throughput systems for biological and medical research. Two outstanding examples are the KTH-based mapping of the human proteome (Human Protein Atlas) and the invention of the DNA pyrosequencing technology, which are at the base of today’s genomic and proteomic revolution. On the synthesis side, new techniques for assembling molecules that, for example, can be used as drugs or as receptors are in focus. Also there are examples of novel technologies/molecules that have made their way from the KTH labs to the market. The development of strategies and methods for large-scale production and analysis of molecules are also part of the research at KTH. Furthermore, synthesis of biofunctional polymeric materials and optimization of their surface properties for drug delivery, scaffolds for tissue regeneration, and materials for implants are all part of KTH’s research portfolio. In close connection to this, the biological fate of man-made materials is being investigated.
Leading research groups in this area
Biochemistry with focus on fundamental and applied enzymology, biocatalysis, molecular modelling, plant cell culture and stress/defence in plants and structural biochemistry.
Bioprocess Technology with focus on analysis and control of the physiology of microorganisms and animal cells under process conditions and on downstream processing of recombinant proteins.
Gene Technology with competences in the fields of DNA sequencing, gene expression, DNA genotyping, micro- and nanotechnology, bioinformatics, automation and molecular biology.
Glycoscience is focused in various areas of Glycobiology, comprising fundamental research on plants and microorganisms, as well as biotechnological developments towards carbohydrate-based products
Molecular Biotechnology with focus on combinatorial protein engineering, protein selection and display systems, affinity protein development, epitope mapping, reagent development using solid phase peptide synthesis routes, cell biology and protein expression.
Nanobiotechnology with expertise in different aspects of micro and nanotechnologies for biotech applications, specifically the next generation miniaturized and integrated, nanotechnology based protein chips.
Proteomics with competences in the fields of bioinformatics, bioautomation, protein science, molecular biology, immunotechnology, proteomics, nanotechnology, microfluidics and bioimaging.
Theoretical Chemistry with expertise in molecular simulation of proteins and biomolecules.
Transport Phenomena with expertise in protein crystallisation
Biocomposites with focus on wood and composites reinforced with materials produced from natural resources
Coating Technology with focus on the interplay macromolecular architecture and macroscopic properties applied to thin polymer films
Polymer Technology with focus on design, syntheses and modification of stable and degradable polymers with sustainable profile for future application in biomedical, engineering and packaging materials.
Devices and Circuits with competence in biosensors
Functional Materials with focus on nanomaterials for drug delivery, MRI contrast agents, biodiagnostics and nano-immunosystems.
Material Physics with competence in nano structured materials for biosensors or x-ray pixel detectors.
Research Centers active in this area
CarboMat Using enzyme technology, CarboMat's researchers will add new functionalities to sugar-based polymers, including cellulose from plants, algae or bacteria. The modified polymers are then used as nano-scale building blocks to create new carbohydrate materials with significantly improved strength and performance characteristics. Key target applications include bio-active and stimuli-responsive materials; innovative membranes for filtration, diagnostics and environmental remediation; and functional textiles and structural biocomposites.
SNISS: Swedish National Infrastructure for Large-scale Sequencing The Swedish National Infrastructure for Large-Scale DNA sequencing (SNISS) has been established by the Swedish Research Council in January 2010 as a national core facility at Royal Institute of Technology (KTH), Stockholm and Uppsala University. SNISS presently operates 2nd generation instruments (Applied Biosystems’ SOLiD, Roche’s Genome Sequencer FLX and Illumina’s HiSeq2000).
Human Protein Atlas The Swedish Human Protein Atlas project, funded by the Knut and Alice Wallenberg Foundation, has been set up to allow for a systematic exploration of the human proteome using Antibody-Based Proteomics. The program hosts the Human Protein Atlas portal with expression profiles of human proteins in tissues and cells.
Science for Life Laboratory The centre combines advanced technical know-how and state-of-the-art equipment with a broad knowledge in translational medicine and molecular bioscience.
Life Science Imaging The centre focuses on the early stages of the imaging chain, i.e. on sensors and interaction from radiation sources to matched sources/detectors and contrast media/biological markers (molecular imaging) to the generation of images.
