Jesper Z. Haeggström

Jesper Z. Haeggström is a Professor and Head of the Research Division of Chemistry II within the Department of Medical Biochemistry and Biophysics at Karolinska Institutet in Stockholm, Sweden. His research group employs cellular, molecular, and structural biology techniques alongside animal models and lipidomics to investigate the roles of eicosanoids and lipid mediators in host defense, inflammation, and diseases like atherosclerosis, asthma, and abdominal aortic aneurysm. Key focuses include enzyme mechanisms in leukotriene biosynthesis, development of enzyme inhibitors as therapeutics, and the functions of specialized pro-resolving mediators.

His group's research interests span:

• Eicosanoid Biochemistry: Structural and functional studies of leukotriene A4 hydrolase (LTA4H), leukotriene C4 synthase (LTC4S), microsomal glutathione transferases (MGSTs), and cyclooxygenase pathways.
• Lipid Mediator Networks: Biosynthesis, signaling, and roles of leukotrienes, prostaglandins, resolvins, and other bioactive lipids in inflammation resolution and disease pathogenesis.
• Translational Medicine: Applying basic research findings to develop therapies targeting eicosanoid pathways using patient samples, animal models, and collaborations with clinical teams and industry.

Analysis of his recent publications reveals a predominant focus on enzymology, structural biology (X-ray crystallography), and lipid mediator networks. Key themes include:

• Structural mechanisms of integral membrane enzymes in eicosanoid synthesis.
• Development and characterization of enzyme inhibitors for leukotriene biosynthesis.
• Metabolite receptor signaling (e.g., GPR91, SUCNR1) in immune and vascular cells.
• Role of lipid mediators in vascular pathologies (aneurysm, thrombosis) and allergic inflammation.

His work consistently bridges fundamental biochemistry with therapeutic applications.

He received the International Eicosanoid Research Foundation Outstanding Achievement Award (2019) for his contributions to understanding leukotriene biochemistry.

Professor Haeggström leads an active research team including postdoctoral researchers and PhD students. Current advisees include Maria Kumlin Haeggström, Federico Pozzani, Shubham Singh, Xiao Tang, and Tarvi Teder. His group operates with significant funding, evidenced by a recent grant of 26 million SEK from the Swedish Research Council (2023) supporting their work on eicosanoid enzymology and inflammation.

The 'Chemistry II – Jesper Z. Haeggström group' utilizes advanced techniques in structural biology (crystallography), mass spectrometry-based lipidomics, cell biology, and animal disease models. Collaborations with clinical researchers and pharmaceutical industry partners are integral to their translational approach. The group's laboratory is located at Solnavägen 9, Stockholm.