معرفی
Kristina Broliden is a Professor and Senior Consultant in the Unit of Infectious Diseases at Karolinska Institutet and the Clinic of Infectious Diseases at Karolinska University Hospital. She serves as Director of Undergraduate Education at the Department of Medicine Solna. Her academic roles include leadership as former Head of Department (2015-2020) and Head of Division (2000-2004). She holds a PhD in Immunology and Virology from Karolinska Institutet (1989) and a Medical Degree (1990).
Her research focuses on the molecular mechanisms underlying susceptibility to sexually transmitted infections (STIs), particularly HIV, in the female genital mucosa. Key areas include the impact of the genital microbiome, hormonal contraceptives, and sex hormones on mucosal immunity. Techniques used include spatial transcriptomics, multi-omics analysis, and 3D-tissue explant models to study host-microbiome interactions and epithelial barrier integrity.
Her work aims to identify molecular signals that could inform the development of topical prophylactic compounds. Major grants include support from the Swedish Research Council and Canadian Institutes of Health Research for projects investigating hormonal contraceptive effects, microbiome-based HIV risk stratification, and mucosal HIV resistance mechanisms.
Key achievements include defining how depot medroxyprogesterone acetate alters cervical epithelium structure and HIV receptor distribution, and identifying neutrophil-driven immune responses in vaginal candidiasis. Her research group collaborates internationally, including with Kenyan and Canadian institutions.
Professional activities include editorial roles, international conference presentations, and advocacy for women’s health in HIV prevention. Her lab is part of the Division of Clinical Virology and the Department of Medicine, Solna, contributing to both clinical care and translational research.
