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  4. Kristina Eriksson

Kristina Eriksson

Professor

Department of Rheumatology and Inflammation Research
Mail
kristina.eriksson@microbio.gu.se
Visiting address
Guldhedsgatan 10A
40530 Göteborg
Postal address
Box 480
40530 Göteborg

About Kristina Eriksson

Kristina Eriksson was born in Stockholm and graduated from Gothenburg University in 1989. She defended her thesis "HIV and mucosal immunity: Implications for vaccine development" in 1995 and then spent the next two years as a post-doc at Cambridge University. She became Associate Professor of Immunology in 2000 and was in 2006 awarded a Research Fellowship in Microbial Pathogenesis by the Swedish Research Council.

From April 1, 2009, she is professor of viral immune pathology at the Department of Rheumatology and Inflammation Research, Institute of Medicine.

Research

My research project deals with the interplay between virus and the host´s immune system during infection. My working hypothesis is that herpesviruses and their human host have co-evolved during evolution leading to a symbiosis between the virus and the host’s immune system.

The aim of my research is therefore to investigate the interactions between virus and host during chronic herpesvirus infection. In addition, I am interested in identifying novel anti-viral treatments. For these purposes, I study:

  • The neuroimmune regulation of herpes simplex virus type 2 (HSV-2) infection, with special emphasis on the establishment of viral latency in the CNS. These studies are performed in mice, and involve the characterization of immune responses within the CNS and its role in controlling viral replication.
  • Host genetic factors that contribute to HSV-2 disease development. These studies are performed in HSV-2 infected humans who do, or do not, display symptoms of disease.
  • If herpesvirus infections can influence the development of allergy in young children. The relationship between herpesvirus infections and allergic sensitization is characterized in 18 month old children and we concomitantly assess the impact of these viruses on the developing immune system. An animal model has been established to further these studies on a mechanistic lever.
  • The use of endogenous and synthetic substances as anti-viral agents. The main goal is to be able to eradicate an already established chronic viral infection.