Mikael Rydén

Mikael Rydén is a Professor and Senior Physician specializing in adipose tissue research at the Department of Medicine, Huddinge, Karolinska Institutet. He co-leads the Mikael Rydén & Niklas Mejhert lab, focusing on white adipocyte biology, lipid metabolism, and immunometabolism. His research spans 25 years and includes studies on energy storage, obesity-related inflammation, and metabolic pathways. He has contributed to groundbreaking work using single-cell and spatial transcriptomics to map adipose tissue heterogeneity.

Key research areas include the role of epigenetic changes in obesity, lipid droplet biology, and the interplay between metabolism and inflammation. Recent articles highlight findings on ER stress in adipocytes and adipose tissue memory post-weight loss. The lab collaborates widely, receiving grants from the Swedish Research Council and others. Mikael advises a team including postdocs and PhD students, overseeing clinical studies and lab management.

His lab is part of the Center for Reproduction, Metabolism and Molecular Medicine (CeRM), emphasizing translational research to combat metabolic diseases. Notable achievements include developing the Lipid Droplet Knowledge Portal and advancing understanding of adipocyte subpopulations and insulin resistance.