Speaker: Oskar Karlsson, Associate Professor at the Department of Environmental Science and Analytical Chemistry, Stockholm University & SciLifeLab Fellow

Venue: Gamma 2 lunch room, SciLifeLab (Tomtebodavägen 23 A)

Abstract

Increasing societal dependence on manmade chemicals and lack of knowledge about their potential adverse effects is a major threat to sustainable development, wildlife and human health. Evidence show that environmental factors such as exposure to the over 100,000 chemicals that contaminate our environment are the main risk factor for many chronic diseases. Understanding what environmental contaminants we are exposed to, their chemical properties and the interactions with biological systems are therefore essential for the safe use of existing and emerging compounds.
There has been a rapidly increasing interest in whether environmental factors modulate the establishment and maintenance of epigenetic modifications, and thereby affect gene expression and phenotype in humans and wildlife. We aim to combine experimental model systems, omics tools and molecular epidemiological research to study gene-environment-epigenome interactions. In particular, our research focuses on developmental origins of health and disease with an emphasis on the exposome and underlying molecular mechanisms. The projects concern the effects of environmental exposures such as endocrine disrupting chemicals, flame retardants, pesticides, metals, particulate air pollution, temperature changes, as well as drugs, psycho-social stressors and ethnical disparities. Ongoing efforts include studies of paternal epigenetic inheritance.

About Oskar Karlsson

Oskar Karlsson, is an Associate Professor at the Department of Environmental Science and Analytical Chemistry, Stockholm University, and a newly recruited SciLifeLab fellow. Dr. Karlsson earned a PhD in Toxicology at Uppsala University, and has also worked at Centre of Molecular Medicine, Karolinska Institute, as well as Harvard University, School of Public Health. Dr. Karlsson combines experimental model systems and molecular epidemiological research to study gene-environment-epigenome interactions. In particular, his research focuses on developmental origins of health and disease with an emphasis on the chemical exposome. He recently received an ERC STG grant for studies of paternal epigenetic inheritance.

Contact person: Mikaela Friedman, mikaela.friedman@localhost