Lennart Hammarström

Lennart Hammarström is a Senior Professor at the Department of Medical Biochemistry and Biophysics, Karolinska Institutet. He has held academic and clinical roles since 1969, including postgraduate training, clinical specialization in immunology (1984), and leadership positions such as head of the Department of Clinical Immunology (1999). His research focuses on immunogenetics and immunotherapy, particularly genetic causes of primary immunodeficiencies and antibody-based therapies using lactobacilli.

Education: Medical degree from Karolinska Institutet (1970s), postgraduate training culminating in a thesis defense (1979). Clinical training included AT specialization in immunology.

Research Interests:

• Immunogenetics: Uses genomic approaches (exome/whole genome sequencing) to identify genetic causes of immunodeficiencies, collaborating internationally and piloting newborn screening programs.
• Immunotherapy: Develops antibody therapies (e.g., lactobacilli-delivered antibodies) for passive immunity in gastrointestinal infections and immune deficiencies.

Articles reflect work on genetic mutations (e.g., RAC2, RAG1), antibody-based treatments, and immune responses to viruses like SARS-CoV-2. Ongoing projects include mucosal immunity research and cancer-related immune mechanisms.

Labs/Teams: Leads the Pan-Hammarström research group. Collaborates with institutions globally on immunodeficiency and vaccine development.