Programmed Cell Death

Programmed cell death plays an important role during embryonic development contributing to tissue remodelling and integrity. In addition, cell death takes a central part in normal tissue homeostasis as well as having a role in a variety of human diseases that are characterized by either increased or decreased cell survial. Intense research on cell death are aiming to identify approaches to treat diseases as diverse as cancer, stroke, neurodegenerative disorders, autoimmune disease, AIDS, metabolic disorders etc.

Last year 24 177 publications related to cell death were registered (Medline search). Of those, 137 publications are based on research performed by scientists at Karolinska Institute, KI, (KI Campus, KI hospital, Novum). Furthermore, it is noticeable that these represent no less than 8.6 % of the total scientific production from KI (1592 papers last year, Medline).

Although many clinical, pre-clinical and basic research groups have cell death as their main focus, there is presently no forum for scientific interaction at Karolinska Institute.

Therefore the Cell Death Network was initated as an open network for researchers working on the mechanism and implications of cell death. Its particular aim is to improve interaction between groups, young scientists and research students within the area. With this network we would like to bring together important competence and knowledge from different disciplines such as immunology, cancer, neurobiology, clinical research and molecular cell- and tissue biology.