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Biofilms Research Center for Biointerfaces
for Biointerfaces
Biofilms Research Center for Biointerfaces is a multidisciplinary research centre in the interface between life and material sciences. Our vision is to shape novel solutions for improved health through excellent science in close partnership with industry. The centre’s activities focus on a wide range of phenomena associated with biointerfaces. The practical applications of the research are numerous and range from diagnostics to disease prevention and novel treatments.
News and events
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News | Published: 3 May 2023
Researchers investigate the vitamins in our beauty products
We know that dry skin can be relieved by creams containing...
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News | Published: 5 April 2023
In search of a more effective mouthwash
A commonly used ingredient of prescribed mouthwash can lead to...
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News | Published: 26 January 2023
Organisers of self-assembly of lipids ‘retreat and meet’ event looking forward to seeing you
Self-assembly of lipids served a vital role in the delivery of...
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News | Published: 26 January 2023
In search of the optimal migraine medicine
In order for migraine medication to be effective, it is vital...
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News | Published: 19 January 2023
New research project hopes to detect Parkinson's and cancer at an earlier stage
Denis Music, a professor at the Department of Materials Science...
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News | Published: 11 January 2023
Detecting new virus variants is key
Annual vaccinations against seasonal flu have become a way to...
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News | Published: 27 October 2022
Putting pea seeds under the microscope to find the food of the future
How do you create a plant-based steak with the perfect texture,...
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News | Published: 25 May 2022
Malmö University prepares to receive a Ukrainian researcher
Malmö University is among a number of Swedish higher education...
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News | Published: 4 May 2022
Alternatives to traditional methods for detecting skin cancer explored
An early diagnosis is crucial to be able to treat skin cancer...
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News | Published: 27 April 2022
Heat waste an important part of the energy puzzle
As Europe faces an energy crisis, and warnings from scientists...
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News | Published: 22 April 2022
Building competence to develop better biological medicine formulations
Solidification of protein components could increase the...
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News | Published: 20 April 2022
New technology can make health checks easier and more accessible
Conventional health checks can be both time-consuming and contai...
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News | Published: 8 April 2022
Understanding saliva could lead to better dental hygiene products
Salivary pellicles provide protection from a number of dental an...
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News | Published: 24 February 2022
Plastic antibodies can find biomarkers for cancer
Sialic acid can be used as a biomarker for cancer and also plays...
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News | Published: 17 December 2021
Investment contributing to a plant-based food future made
A new process for the production of nutritious vegan cheese is...
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News | Published: 23 November 2021
New instruments to help researchers gain unique knowledge about cell wall surfaces
Swedish universities, institutes and companies collaborate on...
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News | Published: 9 November 2021
“Fishing” for biomarkers could improve cancer diagnostics
Biomarkers can show if we carry a particular disease, detecting...
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News | Published: 3 November 2021
Taking a “dive into water” to explore the future of sustainable skin therapies
Taking a “dive into water” and topical formulations has led a...
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News | Published: 25 August 2021
Questions about cholesterol levels and Covid are being answered
Since the outbreak of the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic, the scientific...
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News | Published: 30 June 2021
Saving lives by rerouting drug payloads
The concepts of 'drug payloads' and 'mRNA' have entered the...
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News | Published: 23 June 2021
Biofilms — crucial research hub’s future is secured
Biofilms Research Center for Biointerfaces — a collaborative hub...
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News | Published: 28 May 2021
Charge your devices with a sweaty run in the sun
Just imagine a wearable device that is powered by the sun you...
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News | Published: 24 February 2021
Guest professor is vital link between the laboratory and the clinic
In a bid to improve cancer therapies, research conducted at Malm...
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News | Published: 28 January 2021
Mimicking milk for new and improved vegan cheese
As many opt for a plant-based diet, vegan alternatives are big...
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News | Published: 30 December 2020
3D models could aid both cancer and corona treatments
A reconstructed 3D skin model could pave the way for skin cancer...
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News | Published: 16 November 2020
"Blobology" at the interface of biology and materials science
“I am not going to get a Nobel Prize for it, but I would leave...
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News | Published: 28 October 2020
New methods to detect cancer cells in the blood
Most of the cancer cells that metastasise to another part of the...
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News | Published: 15 October 2020
Congratulations to Therése Nordström on this year's award for collaboration
Therése Nordström, director of Biofilm's Research Center for...
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News | Published: 6 August 2020
A small step towards personalised cancer healthcare
Cancer diagnostic research conducted at Malmö University has bee...
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News | Published: 25 June 2020
Malmö University spends seven million on coronavirus research
Ten projects at Malmö University receive research funding relate...
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News | Published: 10 June 2020
New sensor could dramatically improve Covid-19 testing
A new sensor that can give an immediate response to the presence...
Research highlights
Research highlights
Washing method with environmental benefits
Washing method with environmental benefitsTo reduce greywater pollution and environmental pressure on aquatic ecosystems, it is important to investigate new washing and cleaning methods. A new study shows that washing with purified water only, is almost as efficient as using traditional washing with detergents.
Cholesterol affect Covid-19 binding
Cholesterol affect Covid-19 bindingCholesterol affects the extent of coronaviruses binding and fusion to cellular membranes. The severity of Covid-19 infection is correlated with lipid disorders. In this work, the Spike SARS-CoV-2 protein, which coats the SARS-CoV-2 virus, was shown to change how lipids are exchanged by HDL.
Non-invasive healthcare technologies
Non-invasive healthcare technologiesNon-invasive healthcare technologies are an important part of research and development due to the low cost and convenience offered to both patients/users and healthcare providers. This work overviews the recent advances in the field of non-invasive electrochemical biosensors operating in tears, sweat, saliva, and urine.
Facts and figures
Here, figures and facts for the year 2022 are compiled. People, partners, granted applications, distributed funds, projects and publications are presented.
Facts & Figures 2022: Biofilms Research Center
for Biointerfaces
Facts & Figures
- 14 Professors
- 51 PhD and Post docs
- 14 Assoc. Prof. and lecturers
Our research
Researchers at the centre include a wide range of experts from the fields of chemistry, biochemistry, materials science, cell and molecular biology, mathematics and microbiology. These experts, with overlapping interests, are advancing research in three core areas:
- biobarriers and pharmaceutical design;
- biofilms at interfaces; and
- smart material at interfaces.
Biobarriers and pharmaceutical design
Biobarriers and pharmaceutical design include pharmaceutical formulation, transdermal and mucosal drug delivery as well as hydration of biological interfaces, proteins and nanoporous materials.
The research in detail
Biobarriers
We focus on advancing the knowledge of the key physicochemical properties of biointerfaces, and how they determine the interactions with biomolecules in solutions. In order to achieve this, we develop biomimetic systems that aim at mimicking specific biobarriers in an easily producible and reproducible manner. The biobarriers we are interested in include cellular membranes, plant cell walls and blood vessels. Currently, we are applying these biomimetic systems to improve our understanding of the onset and treatment of various diseases such as atherosclerosis and bacterial infections.
Hydration of biological interfaces, proteins and nanoporous materials
The functional properties of biological materials and nanomaterials are strongly dependent on their interactions with the surrounding environment, where the presence of water in the form of liquid or vapour is inevitable. We have a special interest in nanoporous materials, such as mesoporous silica, and we study their hydration, characterisation and interactions with organic molecules and biomolecules. We also study the hydration of carbohydrate materials, such as cellulose. In the drug delivery field, we work with the interaction of solid excipients with water; hydration of proteins; hydration and phase transitions in lipids; and hydration of biological barriers.
Pharmaceutical formulation
In the development of transdermal and topical formulations, it is important to understand how formulation ingredients interact with the molecular components of the skin barrier and thereby influence its macroscopic barrier properties. Our research activities focus on the effects of commonly used excipients and other chemicals, such as penetration enhancers, on the molecular, as well as the macroscopic, properties of the skin membrane. We also investigate how nanomaterials, such as mesoporous silica particles, can be used in controlled release applications. The advantage of mesoporous silica, such as MCM-41 and SBA-15, is that these materials have remarkable properties due to their well-defined structure with tunable pore diameter and narrow pore size distribution, which can be optimised for loading and controlled release of drugs or biomolecules.
Transdermal and mucosal drug delivery
The skin barrier (the stratum corneum) is an effective permeability barrier. Despite this, the skin is an attractive alternative to the oral route for drug delivery because it avoids first-pass metabolic degradation, which can be an important advantage for certain drugs. Two common strategies to overcome the skin barrier for increased transdermal drug delivery are to increase skin hydration and add a penetration enhancer. Our research focuses on how hydration affects skin permeability, with and without penetration enhancers. Our approach is to combine several experimental methods to obtain both macroscopic and molecular-scale information on how hydration and penetration enhancers influence the stratum corneum.
Biofilms at interfaces
Microorganisms have a strong tendency to associate with surfaces and form adherent microbial communities, known as biofilms. Within this field, we study mechanisms by which bacteria adapt to and survive in the biofilm environment, as well as studying the salivary and mucosal barrier.
The research in detail
Biotherapeutics
Bacterial proteases are a driving force for the inflammatory responses involved in both periodontitis and cardiovascular disease. Our aim is to develop advanced technological tools based on an array of biomarkers (bacterial proteases and inflammatory mediators) to aid the identification of individuals at risk of severe alveolar bone loss disease, as well as the prediction and treatment of periodontal disease and associated inflammatory disorders.
Oral microbiology
In any environment, macromolecules and micro-organisms have a strong tendency to associate with surfaces and form adherent microbial communities, so-called biofilms, which are now recognised as the cause of most infectious diseases. Our goal is to understand the mechanisms by which oral bacteria acquire virulence in biofilms and to identify key points of intervention. We anticipate that our results will contribute to the development of future antimicrobials that target disease-inducing properties in biofilms rather than specific microorganisms.
Saliva research
Our main focus is the study of salivary pellicles — the film of nanometric dimensions that forms immediately upon contact of saliva with almost any type of surface. Pellicles play an important role in the maintenance of oral health, as they protect and lubricate oral surfaces. Our aim is to better understand the mechanisms underlying salivary lubrication. We also study the mechanisms underlying the protection offered by salivary pellicles against dental erosion and how this can be improved by complementing acidic beverages with anti-erosive compounds.
New methods and instruments
We are developing instruments that will allow structural studies of very thin and soft films under load and shear by means of neutron scattering and reflectometry. This is being carried out in collaboration with ESS and the two other big neutron facilities in Europe. We expect that this will be useful to apply in a broad range of fields, as soft-matter thin films are ubiquitous both in natural and artificial systems, for example, in the macromolecular layers that are often found at the solid/liquid interface in colloidal dispersions and biomedical implants.
Smart materials at interfaces
Smart materials at interfaces include bioelectronics (biosensors and biological power sources), oral implants and artificial biomimicry with biological applications.
The research in detail
Artficial biomimicry
Biomimicry (defined as the imitation of life or nature) is used in biomedicine and biotechnology to develop novel treatments and diagnostic methods. We focus on two major areas within biomimicry. The first being the development of novel diagnostic tools for cancer. And secondly, biomimetic systems for better understanding of the onset and treatment of diseases including atherosclerosis and bacterial infections.
Finding new and better ways to diagnose and treat cancer is one of a pressing task for researchers. Early diagnosis, where the cancer is still curable, is therefore crucial. This emphasises the need for sensitive, robust and affordable diagnostic tools that can sense the cellular state, commonly in the form of tumour-specific protein markers, early on in the process. We are developing and using molecularly imprinted polymers, plastic antibodies and other smart materials to detect and sense previously inaccessible tumour markers and discover novel disease biomarkers.
Biodegradable implants
The treatment of bone fractures and bone defects often requires the placement of metal plates or screws that joins the broken bones and allows them to heal. They are typically made of titanium or stainless steel, which functions well to stabilise the bone. However, as these plates or screws remain in the body, they can cause pain or other complications and often require the patients to undergo more surgery to remove the metal. We are studying implants made of magnesium – a metal with good mechanical properties – because it dissolves in
Biosensors and implantable bioelectronics
Research on biosensors and implantable bioelectronics is focussed on development of specific analytical devices and methods for monitoring clinically relevant analytes and biomarkers, as well as the development of potentially implantable electric power devices. It includes synthesis and characterisation of nanomaterials, development of novel sensing and power generating principles, as well as assessment of biosensor and biofuel cell performance in clinical and implantable situations. Our research strength lies in electrochemical sensors and enzymatic fuel cells. Lately, we have exploited biosensor approaches for the investigation of processes at biological barriers, tested enzymatic fuel cells in human blood under homeostatic conditions, as well as disclosed a new type of bioelectronic device – self-charging biosupercapacitors.
Cancer diagnostics
Finding new and better ways to diagnose and treat cancer is one of the most pressing tasks for researchers today. We use molecularly imprinted polymers to detect, sense and image previously inaccessible tumour markers and discover novel disease biomarkers with the aim of detecting cancer at an early stage.
Mathematical modelling
Scientific computing and simulations of phenomena on micro and macroscopic scales is a field of great scientific importance. General mathematical techniques, such as differential equations, combined with computational methods, allow a very broad range of applications. Our main focus is on three different areas: computational quantum physics; modelling of infectious diseases; and resonance spectrum for stratified media.
New methods and instruments
In collaboration with MAX IV, we are building sample environments to be used in tomography synchrotron beamlines. This will allow the study of how changes in the ambient conditions effect, for example, the structure and morphology of samples that have synthetic or biological origins. We are also developing methods for monitoring the interaction of formulations that comprise, for example, microparticles with biological barriers. These methods have a clear application in non-invasive drug delivery
Researchers, publications and projects
We are always interested in new collaborations with academia and industry. Please contact our researchers if you have any questions.
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Staff
Olivia Aherne - Doctoral student
olivia.aherne@mau.se -
Staff
Ahmed Al Musawi - Doctoral student
ahmed.almusawi@mau.se -
TAStaff
Thomas Arnebrant - Pro Vice Chancellor / Professor
thomas.arnebrant@mau.se -
Staff
Sebastian Björklund - Associate Professor/Senior lecturer
sebastian.bjorklund@mau.se -
Staff
Madeleine Blomqvist - Laboratory engineer
madeleine.blomqvist@mau.se -
EBStaff
Ekaterina Bogdanova - Postdoc
ekaterina.bogdanova@mau.se -
GBStaff
Gabriella Boisen - Doctoral student
gabriella.boisen@mau.se -
Staff
Marite Cardenas - Professor
marite.cardenas@mau.se -
Staff
Bruno Chrcanovic - Associate Professor/Project researcher
bruno.chrcanovic@mau.se -
YCStaff
Yubexi Yakari Correa Marcano - Doctoral student
yubexi.correa@mau.se -
Staff
Gillian Dao Nyesiga - Doctoral student
gillian.dao-nyesiga@mau.se -
Staff
Julia Davies - Pro dean/Professor
julia.davies@mau.se -
Staff
Rita Del Giudice - Project researcher
rita.del-giudice@mau.se -
JEStaff
Johan Engblom - Head of department/Professor
johan.engblom@mau.se -
Staff
Gabriela Enggren - Senior lecturer
gabriela.enggren@mau.se -
TEStaff
Tommy Eriksson - Associate Professor/Professor
tommy.eriksson@mau.se -
Staff
Inna Ermilova - Postdoc
inna.ermilova@mau.se -
MFStaff
Magnus Falk - Associate senior lecturer
magnus.falk@mau.se -
PFStaff
Peter Falkman - Senior lecturer
peter.falkman@mau.se -
AGStaff
Anette Gjörloff Wingren - Professor
anette.gjorloff-wingren@mau.se -
Staff
Vasantha Gowda - Postdoc
vasantha.gowda@mau.se -
Staff
Petri Gudmundsson - Senior lecturer/Program director
petri.gudmundsson@mau.se -
Staff
Anna Gustafsson - Senior lecturer
anna.gustafsson@mau.se -
Staff
Ulf Hejman - Program director/Lecturer
ulf.hejman@mau.se -
THStaff
Thomas Hix Janssens - Doctoral student
thomas.janssens@mau.se -
Staff
Alexei Iantchenko - Professor
alexei.iantchenko@mau.se -
AIStaff
Anil Incel - Postdoc
anil.incel@mau.se -
SJStaff
Skaidre Jankovskaja - Postdoc
skaidre.jankovskaja@mau.se -
SKStaff
Sumiyo Kanafusa - Project researcher
sumiyo.kanafusa@mau.se -
Staff
Sana Khayyamifar - Doctoral student
sana.khayyamifar@mau.se -
Staff
Vitaly Kocherbitov - Professor
vitaly.kocherbitov@mau.se -
Staff
Jenni Koskinen Engstedt - Doctoral student
jenni.engstedt@mau.se -
Staff
Christine Kumlien - Vice Dean/Professor
christine.kumlien@mau.se -
Staff
Natuschka Lee - Project researcher
natuschka.lee@mau.se -
Staff
Lindsay Richard Merte - Associate Professor/Program director/Senior lecturer
lindsay.merte@mau.se -
Staff
Denis Music - Professor
denis.music@mau.se -
ENStaff
Emelie Nilsson - Associate senior lecturer
emelie.nilsson@mau.se -
LOStaff
Lars Ohlsson - Senior lecturer/Director of studies
lars.ohlsson@mau.se -
Staff
Nicolo Paracini - Project researcher
nicolo.paracini@mau.se -
Staff
Zdenka Prgomet - Associate senior lecturer
zdenka.prgomet@mau.se -
CPStaff
Carolin Psotta - Doctoral student
carolin.psotta@mau.se -
Staff
Carolina Robertsson - Doctoral student
carolina.robertsson@mau.se -
Staff
Felix Roosen-Runge - Associate senior lecturer
felix.roosen-runge@mau.se -
Staff
Tautgirdas Ruzgas - Assistant head of dep./Professor
tautgirdas.ruzgas@mau.se -
Staff
Davide Schirone - Postdoc
davide.schirone@mau.se -
Staff
Börje Sellergren - Professor, directly appointed
borje.sellergren@mau.se -
YSStaff
Yulia Sergeeva - Project researcher
yulia.sergeeva@mau.se -
ASStaff
Atefeh Shafaat - Doctoral student
atefeh.shafaat@mau.se -
Staff
Sergey Shleev - Professor
sergey.shleev@mau.se -
Staff
Sara Björk Sigurdardottir - Postdoc
sara.sigurdardottir@mau.se -
Staff
Thomas Sjöberg - Doctoral student
thomas.sjoberg@mau.se -
MSStaff
Maria Magdalena Stollenwerk - Senior lecturer
maria.stollenwerk@mau.se -
MSStaff
Michal Szczepanczyk - Doctoral student
michal.szczepanczyk@mau.se -
Staff
Andriani Tsompou - Doctoral student
andriani.tsompou@mau.se -
Staff
Sabrina Valetti - Associate senior lecturer
sabrina.valetti@mau.se -
Staff
Vedrana Vejzovic - Associate Professor
vedrana.vejzovic@mau.se -
Staff
Claes Wickström - Associate Professor/Senior lecturer
claes.wickstrom@mau.se
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2023 | Article in journal
Microcontact-Imprinted Optical Sensors for Virulence Factors of Periodontal Disease
Thomas Hix Janssens, Sudhirkumar Shinde, Rahma Abouhany, Julia R Davies, Jessica Neilands, Gunnel Svensäter, Börje Sellergren
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2023 | Article in journal
Effects of storage conditions on permeability and electrical impedance properties of the skin barrier.
Maxim Morin, Anna Runnsjö, Tautgirdas Ruzgas, Johan Engblom, Sebastian Björklund
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2023 | Article in journal
Structural and Dynamical Properties of Elastin-Like Peptides near Their Lower Critical Solution Temperature.
Tatiana I Morozova, Nicolás A García, Olga Matsarskaia, Felix Roosen-Runge, Jean-Louis Barrat
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2023 | Article in journal
Effects of flexibility in coarse-grained models for bovine serum albumin and immunoglobulin G
Frank Hirschmann, Hender Lopez, Felix Roosen-Runge, Tilo Seydel, Frank Schreiber, Martin Oettel
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2023 | Article in journal
Structural Characterization of Nanoparticle-Supported Lipid Bilayer Arrays by Grazing Incidence X-ray and Neutron Scattering
Nicolò Paracini, Philipp Gutfreund, Rebecca Welbourn, Juan F Gonzalez-Martinez, Kexin Zhu, Yansong Miao, Nageshwar Yepuri, Tamim A Darwish, Christopher Garvey, Sarah Waldie, Johan Larsson, Max Wolff, Marité Cárdenas
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2023 | Article in journal
Frequency of Smoking and Marginal Bone Loss around Dental Implants: A Retrospective Matched-Control Study
Amir Ali, Ammar Al Attar, Bruno Ramos Chrcanovic
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2023 | Article in journal
Comparison of Oxygen Electrode Chronoamperometry and Spectrophotometry for Determination of Catalase Activity
Michal Szczepanczyk, Lea Paul, Tautgirdas Ruzgas, Sebastian Björklund
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2023 | Article in journal
Portable Prussian Blue-Based Sensor for Bacterial Detection in Urine
Carolin Psotta, Vivek Chaturvedi, Juan F Gonzalez-Martinez, Javier Sotres, Magnus Falk
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2023 | Article in journal
The Apparent Organ-Specificity of Amyloidogenic ApoA-I Variants Is Linked to Tissue-Specific Extracellular Matrix Components
Rita Del Giudice, Mikaela Lindvall, Oktawia Nilsson, Daria Maria Monti, Jens O. Lagerstedt
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2023 | Article in journal
Plasma levels of CCL21, but not CCL19, independently predict future coronary events in a prospective population-based cohort
Pernilla Katra, Viktoria Hennings, Jan Nilsson, Gunnar Engström, Daniel Engelbertsen, Eva Bengtsson, Harry Björkbacka
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Research project
Biobarriers – Health, disorders and healing
johan.engblom@mau.se -
Research project
Bioinspired drug carrier platform for inhalation therapy of antibiotic molecules
sabrina.valetti@mau.se -
Research project
Biomimetic SARS-C oV-2 receptors as host cell models, diagnostic tools and for antiviral research
borje.sellergren@mau.se -
Research project
Biomimetic sensors for monitoring of Norovirus and SARS-CoV-2 genetic variants in water
borje.sellergren@mau.se -
Research project
Correct medication list at care transitions
ahmed.almusawi@mau.se -
Research project
Detection and sensing of predictive biomarkers for periodontitis
borje.sellergren@mau.se -
Research project
Dynamic self assembled monolayers as cell membrane mimics and their interactions with cells and pathogens
borje.sellergren@mau.se -
Research project
Encapsulation of pharmaceutical proteins in starch microparticles
vitaly.kocherbitov@mau.se -
Research project
Investigation of multivalent pathogen inhibition and sensing using rSAM-based decoy nanoparticles
borje.sellergren@mau.se -
Research project
Liproprotein structure-function and disease development: from atherosclerosis to covid-19
marite.cardenas@mau.se -
Research project
Multilayer architecture of H2O2 non-enzymic sensors for biomedical applications
denis.music@mau.se -
Research project
Nanocapsules and recombinant proteins for nutritious vegan cheese making
marite.cardenas@mau.se -
Research project
Neutron scattering and selective deuteration for elucidating how lipids regulate metabolon formation
marite.cardenas@mau.se -
Research project
NextBioForm – Centre for formulation and processing of biologics
vitaly.kocherbitov@mau.se -
Research project
Porous drug carrier platform for inhalation of antibiotic molecules
sabrina.valetti@mau.se -
Research project
Predictive Biomarkers for Periodontitis
julia.davies@mau.se -
Research project
Revert - Targeted therapy for advanced colorectal cancer patients
anette.gjorloff-wingren@mau.se -
Research project
Simultaneous Scattering and Tribological Investigations of Sheared Thin Soft Matter Films under Low Pressure
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Research project
Structure, Composition and Dynamics of Lipoproteins: How to Get New Clinical Markers for Atherosclerosis
marite.cardenas@mau.se -
Research project
Student participation in research teams – Vertically Integrated Projects (VIP) in Biomedical, Criminology and Care Science research
karin.borgstrom@mau.se -
Research project
Towards controllable structuring processes of plant seed proteins
felix.roosen-runge@mau.se -
Research project
Washing and cleaning with purified water grades and the effects of water purity on properties of colloidal systems
vitaly.kocherbitov@mau.se -
Research project
Wireless biosensors based on oxidation and reduction of nanoparticles
tautgirdas.ruzgas@mau.se
Programmes and platforms
Organisation and Partners
Advisory Board
- Cristina Glad, CEO, Chairperson, C Glad Consulting AB
- Gunnel Svensäter, Professor of Oral Health, Faculty of Odontology
- Martina Kvist Reimer, Executive Vice President, Red Glead Discovery
- Sven Frökjaer, Vice-Dean, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen
- Thomas Arnebrant, Professor of Biointerfaces, Vice Dean, Faculty of Heath and Society
- Tomas Lundqvist, Senior Coordinator Research Infrastructures, RISE — Research Institutes of Sweden
- Ulf G Andersson, CEO, Medeon Science Park & Incubator
Industry partners
- A1M Pharma AB
- Adroit Science AB
- Akzo Noble Pulp and Performance Chemicals AB
- Alligator Bioscience AB
- Amano Enzyme Inc
- ArgusEye AB
- AstraZeneca AB
- BioGaia AB
- Bioglan AB
- Biotage AB
- Bona AB
- Camurus AB
- CapSenze HB
- Chemotechnique Diagnostics AB
- Chromalytica AB
- Corigo AB
Covercast AB
- CR Competence AB
- CTC Clinical Trial Consultants AB
- Dentsply A/S
- Enzymatica AB
- Erco Pharma AB
- Fisher & Paykel Healthcare Ltd
- Galenica AB
- Genovis AB
- GE Healthcare AB
- G&T Septech A/S
- Idogen AB
- ImaGene-iT AB
- IBM Svenska AB
- Iconovo AB
- In vitro Plant-tech AB
- KEMET AB
- Larodan AB
- Lipidor AB
- Magle Chemoswed AB
- MediGelium AB
- Nanologica AB
- Nordiska Dental AB
- Novosense AB
- Novozymes A/S
- Obducat Technologies AB
- Orexo AB
- Pampett AB
- PEAS Institut AB
- Perrigo Nordic AB
- Promimic AB
- Phase Holographic Imaging AB
- Proteome Sciences, UK
- QPharma AB
- ReSyn Biosciences, South Africa
- RISE AB
- RISE Acreo AB
Samsung, South Korea
- Scibase AB
- Siamab Therapeutics Inc
- Simris Alg AB
- Sobi AB
- SoftOx Solutions AS
- Speximo AB
- Stadex AB
- Sterisol AB
- Thermo Fischer, UK
- Timeline Bioresearch AB
- Truly Labs AB
- Truly Translational AB
- Zelmic AB
Connect with us
Open Lab Skåne
The underlying principle of Open Lab Skåne is sustainability; equipment should be shared, and its use maximised. At the same time, the ambition is to create a synergy between academia and industry.
Open Lab Skåne consists of three hubs: Biofilms Research Center for Biointerfaces at Malmö University, Food Technology at Lund University, and SmiLe incubator in Lund.
The project started in 2017 and is set to run until at least 2023.
How it works
Open Lab Skåne is built on the competencies found at the three hubs. When a company contacts us, they are forwarded to the area of expertise best suited for the purpose. At Biofilms Research Center, Open Lab focuses on materials science, chemistry and biological interfaces, at Lund University the focus is on food technology, and SmiLe is a life science incubator.
When companies first contact us, we engage in a dialogue about what they need. If we can meet their needs. We then go through practical issues such as costs for instruments, renting lab space and, in general, what they can expect from us.
Companies can also rent lab space or equipment.
So far, 43 companies have joined and are receiving support through the project.

Testimonials about Open Lab
Go Cirkulär started to use Open Lab in 2021. Small companies generally have difficulties getting access to a lab space in Skåne and Open Lab offers us this and allows us to uphold the highest health and safety standards for an affordable price.

Testimonials about Open Lab
Go Cirkulär started to use Open Lab in 2021. Small companies generally have difficulties getting access to a lab space in Skåne and Open Lab offers us this and allows us to uphold the highest health and safety standards for an affordable price.
Working at Open Lab helped Go Cirkulär to get access to technology, tools, and expertise that were key to the company's development.
Irene Atance – CEO & Founder
Go Cirkulär
Go Cirkulär manufactures high-quality skincare products that are upcycled, gender-neutral, and 100 per cent natural.
How did Open Lab work for you?
Go Cirkulär started to use Open Lab in 2021. Small companies generally have difficulties getting access to a lab space in Skåne and Open Lab offers us this and allows us to uphold the highest health and safety standards for an affordable price. For us, it was essential to have access to a lab to conduct R&D activities and this was key to the company's development. We are not only happy to have access to the lab space but also to different expertise from other entrepreneurs.
How did you use the lab in your work?
Go Cirkulär uses the lab for R&D purposes and to process our upcycled raw materials. Additionally, we conduct some tests and experiments with technology we borrow from Malmö University or other labs in the building. Open Lab is one of the very few networks within Skåne that makes both expertise and technology for small biotechnology companies accessible.
How was the collaboration useful?
Working at Open Lab helped Go Cirkulär to get access to technology, tools, and expertise that were key to the company's development. It was very useful for our company, and we hope to continue benefiting from it in the near future.

For us, Open Lab works very well. It's easy to book and get support and is obviously made for users who know how to use the instruments and how to interpret the results.

For us, Open Lab works very well. It's easy to book and get support and is obviously made for users who know how to use the instruments and how to interpret the results.
For us, Open Lab works very well. It's easy to book and get support and is obviously made for users who know how to use the instruments and how to interpret the results.
Roberto Ortiz – Senior Scientist, CR Competence
What does CR Competence do?
CR Competence is a consulting company specialised in helping our clients with issues related to colloidal systems, surfaces and physical chemistry. We help our customers with chemistry problems in their products or processes. We also perform scientific due diligence, work with product development, and with problem-solving.
How has the experience at Open Lab been for you?
For us, Open Lab works very well. It's easy to book and get support and is obviously made for users who know how to use the instruments and how to interpret the results.
We have used vpSEM-EDS in many of our projects. With that instrument, we can see what materials look like at the nanoscale and at the same time get chemical information from the surfaces. It has come into use in very different projects such as imaging the morphology of a powder for the pharmaceutical industry and for filters in a cooling system with corrosion problems.
How has Open Lab benefitted you?
Being able to access advanced measuring instruments without having to own one. Such instruments are really expensive. In our case, we only need to use them a few times a year and it wouldn't be financially viable to own one.