Oliver BillkerView profile
Professor
Oliver Billker is a Professor at the Department of Molecular Biology, Umeå University, and serves as Manager of the Molecular Infection Medicine Sweden (MIMS) research group. His research focuses on understanding the biology of malaria parasites and their interactions with mosquitoes, particularly investigating genetic mechanisms and transmission pathways. His work combines cutting-edge genomic tools, CRISPR screening, and single-cell technologies to uncover new insights into parasite development and host-pathogen interactions. Research interests include malaria parasite genetics, drug resistance mechanisms, mosquito vector biology, and the application of genomic approaches to identify novel drug and vaccine targets. Key achievements include the discovery of essential genes for transmission and the development of high-throughput genetic screening platforms for Plasmodium species. Notable awards include the Hirsch Prize and election as EMBO Member. His lab, the Oliver Billker Lab, collaborates internationally to advance malaria research. Recent grants include multi-million SEK investments for basic research at Umeå University and contributions to global initiatives like the Malaria Cell Atlas. Awards: Hirsch Prize EMBO Membership Grants/Projects: VR funding for basic research (2024) Nordic collaboration grants Malaria Cell Atlas initiative Labs/Teams: Oliver Billker Lab Molecular Infection Medicine Sweden (MIMS) His research bridges fundamental biology and translational medicine, aiming to combat malaria through innovative approaches in genomics and systems biology.









