Mikael Altun

Mikael Altun is a Researcher and Docent at the Karolinska Institutet's Department of Laboratory Medicine, where he has worked since 2018. He leads research at Science for Life Laboratory (SciLifeLab), focusing on the ubiquitin-proteasome system (UPS) and its translational applications in cancer and muscle diseases.

• Education:
  • Doctor of Philosophy in Neuroscience (Karolinska Institutet, 2007)
  • Master of Medical Science (Karolinska Institutet, 2003)
  • Docent in Medical Biotechnology (Karolinska Institutet, 2020)

His research explores targeted protein degradation using PROTACs and molecular glue degraders to address 'untreatable' proteins in diseases. This work intersects with drug development, ubiquitination, and proteasome function, with applications in oncology and neurodegenerative disorders.

Recent publications highlight his expertise in skeletal muscle aging, UPS-related cancer therapies, and chemical probe development. Collaborations with Nicholas Valerie and others focus on biophysical technologies for cellular studies.

• Scientific Awards:
  • Acknowledged support from the Hållsten family for foundational lab funding

Altun supervises PhD candidates and contributes to thesis evaluations at institutions like Uppsala University and Linköping University. His work bridges basic cellular mechanisms and translational applications, emphasizing innovative therapeutic strategies.