Maria Ankarcrona

Maria Ankarcrona is Professor of Experimental Neurogeriatrics and Head of the Department of Neurobiology, Care Sciences and Society (NVS) at Karolinska Institutet since 2021. Her research focuses on mitochondrial dysfunction in Alzheimer's disease, particularly ER-mitochondria interactions and Aβ peptide mechanisms. She has coordinated EU-funded JPND/VR projects and leads one of KI's largest departments with extensive research and educational responsibilities.

• Professor of Experimental Neurogeriatrics, Karolinska Institutet (2018-)
• Head of Department, NVS (2021-)

Research Interests:

• Mitochondrial import of Aβ peptides via TOM complex
• ER-Mitochondria contact sites (MAM) in synaptic regulation
• Flavonoids as mitochondrial stabilizers
• Neuron-astrocyte mitochondrial transfer mechanisms
• Calcium signaling dysregulation in AD
• Early bioenergetic changes in AD pathogenesis

Article Trends:

• 2018-2024 publications emphasize mitochondrial-ER interplay across 15+ journals
<1000 characters because of 2024 focus on dynamic membrane contact detection methods
• 2023 work connects mitochondrial dysfunction to neuroinflammation and synaptic changes
• 2022 studies explore exocytosis regulation and astrocyte energy metabolism
• 2021 articles highlight flavonoid discovery and MIEF1/2 mitochondrial dynamics
• Longitudinal focus on TOM70's role in calcium transfer (2018-2024)

Scientific Awards:

• KI Work Environment Award 2024 (shared with administrative manager)

Education & Supervision:

• PhD in Biology and Chemistry, Stockholm University (1991)
• Supervised 5 completed doctoral students, currently supervising 1 PhD student
• Responsible for neurodegeneration modules in KI's Biomedicine Master's program

Research Group Highlights:

• Identified early mitochondrial dysfunction preceding Aβ deposition
• Developed reversible chemogenetic reporters for membrane contact dynamics
• Established flavonoid-based mitochondrial enhancer screening platform
• Discovered TOM70's role in ER-mitochondria calcium transfer
• Active in JPND/VR EU consortium for cross-disease mitochondrial research