Malmberg research group Natural Killer Cell Biology and Cell Therapy

Summary of research

Karl Johan Malmberg
Group leader

The group studies the molecular and cellular basis for NK cell differentiation and repertoire formation in health and disease. A key focus is to gain insights into how killer cell immunoglobulin-like receptors (KIR) influence the function of human NK cells. KIR are HLA class I binding receptors with important functions in reproduction, immunity to infections, and in cell therapy against cancer. We examine the dynamic shaping of human NK cell repertoires during viral infection, tumor transformation and following stem cell transplantation. We are also seeking to implement new insights into the adaptive-like behavior of NK cells in the next generation of NK cell-based immunotherapy for patients with refractory or relapsing malignancies.

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