Richard Rosenquist Brandell

Richard Rosenquist Brandell is Professor of Clinical Genetics and Chief Physician leading the Clinical Genetics research group within the Department of Molecular Medicine and Surgery at Karolinska Institutet. His work focuses on molecular mechanisms of hematological malignancies, particularly chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) and lymphoma, with emphasis on translational applications in genetic diagnostics and precision medicine.

• Department: Molecular Medicine and Surgery (K1 MMK Clinical Genetics)
• Research Group: Six specialized teams covering CLL/lymphoma, pediatric leukemia, metabolic bone diseases, congenital skeletal disorders, multi-omics cancer analysis, and cancer genetics
• Key Initiatives: Genomic Medicine Sweden (GMS), European Research Initiative in CLL (ERIC)

His research spans four primary areas: molecular characterization of stereotypical B-cell receptor subgroups in CLL using whole-genome and transcriptome sequencing; identification of dysregulated cellular signaling pathways; understanding resistance mechanisms to targeted therapies; and validation of NGS-based methods for clinical diagnostics. His team employs high-throughput technologies including single-cell sequencing, methylation analysis, and phospho-flow cytometry to investigate B-cell receptor, MAP/ERK, STAT, and NF-kB signaling pathways.

Recent publications demonstrate leadership in CLL genomic profiling, with emphasis on ATM mutations, TP53 variants, and spliceosomal alterations. His work bridges basic research with clinical implementation through national initiatives like Genomic Medicine Sweden, where whole-genome sequencing is nearing cost parity with standard diagnostics for blood cancers.

• 80 million SEK government funding for Genomic Medicine Sweden (2025)
• Multiple Swedish Cancer Society grants (2014-2018)
• Vetenskapsrådet project funding (2024)
• Interview in Newsweek on whole-genome sequencing implementation

As Principal Investigator for the CLL/lymphoma team, he mentors doctoral students and postdocs while collaborating with international consortia including ERIC. His group's work directly informs clinical practice through biomarker validation and diagnostic protocol development, particularly for prognostic stratification in CLL where molecular markers like IGHV mutation status and chromosomal abnormalities guide treatment decisions. Current efforts focus on implementing precision diagnostics nationwide through SciLifeLabs and Genomic Medicine Sweden platforms.