Mattias Carlsten

Mattias Carlsten is an Associate Professor at the Karolinska Institutet, affiliated with the Department of Laboratory Medicine and the Division of Biomolecular and Cellular Medicine (BCM). His research focuses on harnessing NK cells for cancer immunotherapy, particularly targeting blood cancers and solid tumors like lymphoma, leukemia, and hepatocellular carcinoma. He combines basic immunology with genetic engineering to develop personalized cell therapies that enhance NK cell efficacy and reduce off-target effects.

• Education: MD/PhD program (2004), MD (2007), PhD (2010)
• Training: Postdoc at NIH (2010-2012), Staff Scientist at NIH (2013-2015), Residency in Hematology (2012-).

His group explores preclinical and translational studies on NK cell biology, tumor immunology, and stem cell transplantation. Recent work highlights mRNA transfection to improve NK cell homing, CAR-NK cell optimization, and targeted delivery of cell therapies via endovascular techniques. Clinical collaborations with Karolinska University Hospital are central to translating findings into practice.

Scientific awards include the Dean O’Neill Renal Cell Cancer Research Fellowship, SSMF Stora Anslag, and Wallenberg Clinical Fellow grants. His research group includes doctoral students, postdocs, and technical staff, with former members spanning institutions like Uppsala University and George Washington University.