ENS Biology Lab
Photo: Ulf Sirborn
Our Research Center
Karolinska Institutet is home to Sweden's largest research environment. A particular strength is the integration of basic science with the clinic - virtually an AirWalk away. The Marklund Lab is located in Biomedicum, a newly opened research building with state-of-the-art facilities for imaging, viral work, transcriptomics and transgenic organisms.
The Marklund team is integrated in the unit of Molecular Neurobiology, with expertise in stem cell biology, imaging and various omics (transcriptiome, epigenomics, spatial sequencing). With a dynamic and collaborative spirit all members of the unit share equipment, ideas and space. We interact at annual retreats as well as monthly seminar series.
The unit of Molecular Neurobiology
The Marklund Lab
Ulrika Marklund
Principal Investigator
I have always been intrigued by the concept of cell types - how they are formed during the development and later what properties they uniquely possess. During my PhD period at KI I studied transcriptional determination of central neurons (primarily dopamine and serotonergic types). I thereafter transitioned my research focus to the "Brain in the Gut" - the ENS, during a postdoc at NIMR in Mill Hill, London, UK. I have been a PI at MBB since 2013. Initially we only focused on neuron subtype development, but was inhibited by the lack of faithful selective marker genes for the neuron types, I almost gave up! However, with the implementation of single cell omics we now have un unpreceedented molecular understanding of the various neural cell type of the ENS. These profiles allow us selectively target functionally distinct neurons to address their connectivity and roles in systemic physiology. Meanwhile, having resolved the identities of mature neurons we have also revealed a new basic principle for their formation - a process we aim to dissect in detail the coming years. Read also more at: https://staff.ki.se/people/ulrika-marklund
Elham Jalalvand
Research Coordinator/Senior Researcher
I obtained my PhD in Neuroscience at Karolinska institute in 2017. I was investigating sensory neurons in spinal cord and hypothalamus which have direct contact to cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) contacting neurons. After my PhD I have started a post-doc position at the advanced Bio-imaging laboratory at Scilifelab-KTH to understand nanoscale organization of CSF-c neurons from single cell to single molecules. Moreover, as I was interested in both research and administrative work, I started a position as senior lab manager at Karolinska Institute in 2021 at AIMES. Since March 2023 I have joined Marklund group as Research Coordinator. In my new role I provide organizational support for the group regarding the projects, general laboratory and scientific expertise. In addition, I work on enteric nervous system projects specifically enteric glia to investigate their phenotype, role and their connectivity with other cell types. Other activities that I enjoy is yoga and being in nature as well as spending time with my family.
Wei Li
Postdoctoral Researcher
I’m got my Ph.D degree in the Marklund lab in January 2026. Prior to this I obtained my Bachelor’s and Master’s in Medicine at Xi’an Jiaotong University in Xi’an, China. During the third year of my master’s degree, I joined Ulrika’s lab as an intern. My research have been focusing on the characterization of different subtypes of enteric neurons in mouse small intestines and the connectivities between these neurons. Outside the lab, I like playing tennis, watching tennis games, and playing the piano.
Photo: Johannes Frandsén
Ziwei Liu
PhD student
I’m currently pursuing a Ph.D. in Medical Science in Ulrika Marklund Group. I received a BSc in Biochemistry and an MRes in Brain Science from University College London, UK, and an MRes in Neurotechnology from Imperial College London, UK. My Ph.D. research focuses on understanding the molecular basis of neurogenesis and neuronal differentiation in the enteric nervous system. Specifically, I’m using various analytical techniques to investigate the single-cell RNA-sequencing datasets of the enteric nervous system and utilizing a novel in utero ultrasound-guided gene manipulation technique (NEPTUNE) developed by Emma Andersson Group to validate the candidate regulators in vivo. Outside the lab, I love playing piano, skiing, and traveling.
Photo: Johannes Frandsén
Yanan (Olivia) Chen
Postdoctoral Researcher
I am a postdoctoral researcher and obtained my Ph.D. in Molecular Biology from Tsinghua University (China), where I studied protein mistranslation in Drosophila. Currently, I’m studying the enteric nervous system, specifically investigating the role and connectivity of a novel enteric neuron subclass within and beyond the gut. Outside the lab, I enjoy hip-hop, whodunit, and baking.
Manuel Pinto
PhD student
I completed my bachelor's degree in Biochemistry at the University of Barcelona, followed by a master's degree in molecular biotechnology at the same institution. I carried out both my bachelor’s and master’s theses in the Marklund Group. For my bachelor’s thesis, I investigated the development of the enteric nervous system, with a particular focus on the birthdates of molecularly characterized subtypes of enteric neurons. During my master’s thesis, I shifted my focus to the research field of enteric glia, specifically characterizing extra-ganglionic glia in the ENS. I am now pursuing my PhD in the Marklund Group, where my research centers on understanding the heterogeneity and function of glia in the enteric nervous system. Outside the lab, I enjoy movies and series, reading, traveling, and spending time with friends.
Krishnanand Padmanabhan
Postdoctoral Researcher
I joined the Ulrika Marklund lab as a postdoctoral research fellow in 2022. I obtained my PhD in Cell and Developmental biology from Tel Aviv University, Israel, where I explored the role of the actin cytoskeleton in the morphogenesis and physiology of mouse epidermis. At the Marklund lab, I seek to understand the mechanisms that allow neurons in the developing ENS to acquire sequential cell fate identities and thus diversify their functions. To pursue this, I will use various experimental tools such as in-utero genetic manipulation (NEPTUNE), lineage tracing, spatial transcriptomics and advanced microscopy. Outside the lab, I am interested in hiking and wildlife photography.
Lauren Phipps
Postdoctoral Researcher
I joined the Marklund group as a postdoctoral research fellow in March 2023. I obtained my PhD in Developmental Biology at the University of Manchester (UK), where I explored mechanisms regulating cell fate decisions during Xenopus tropicalis spinal cord regeneration. After my PhD, I worked for one year as a postdoctoral research associate, and later Doctoral Career Development fellow, at the University of Manchester. In the Marklund lab, I will characterise regenerative neurogenesis and neuronal identity acquisition in the adult gut. Ultimately, I aim to develop strategies to engineer specific neuronal subtypes from endogenous enteric cells to treat neurological gut disorders. Outside of the lab, I enjoy hiking, photography and bouldering.
Siddharth Paliwal
PhD student
I previously completed a 5-year integrated BS-MS degree from Indian Institute of Science Education and Research (IISER), Tirupati. For my master’s project, I worked with the Marklund group on a study investigating the development, heterogeneity, and intercellular communication of enteric glia using single-cell transcriptomic analysis. Now, I’ve joined the Marklund group to work towards a PhD. I’m interested in understanding the specification of cellular identities during the development of the enteric nervous system, in health and disease. I aim to use single-cell & spatial transcriptomic analysis combined with experimental studies to achieve this. Other than research, I enjoy all kinds of sports, watching movies & series, reading fiction, hiking, music; and well, the list goes on...
JOIN US!
We are always interested in new enthusiastic coworkers, please get in touch to initiate a discussion if you are interested in joining us!
PhD positions are also occasionally announced, see Contact Page or the News feed.
PAST MEMBERS and MASTER STUDENTS:
POSTDOCTORAL FELLOWS:
Fatima Memic
Current position:
Research Coordination in
https://www.hjerling-leffler-lab.org/
Anastassia Mikhailova
Current position:
Team Leader at Gustave Roussy,
Pasteur Institute
Khomgrit Morarach
Finalizing the thesis
MASTER STUDENTS/INTERSHIPS:
Laura Ferrario (Trento University, Italy) CURRENT
Siddarth Paliwal (IISER Tirupati, India)
Claudia Simonetti (University of Milan, Italy)
Khachatur Dallakyan (Karolinska Institutet)
Manuel Pinto (University of Barcelona, Spain)
Nynke van der Schaaf (University of Groningen, the Netherlands
Alicia Blåder (Stockholm University, Sweden)
Rick Hogenboom (Amsterdam University, the Netherlands)
Prach Techameena (KI, KTH, SU, Sweden)
Amelie Joly (Lyon University, France)
Graziella Tabacaru (KI, Sweden)
Wei Li (Xi'an JiaoTong University, China)
Lynn Pieters (Leiden University, The Netherlands)
Viktoria Knoflach (Linköping University, Sweden)
Marjan Abbassi (Stockholm University, Sweden)
Rebecca Sadler (University of Manchester, United Kingdom)