Rundberg Nilsson Lab

Alexandra Rundberg Nilsson, Ph.D.

Group Leader

Hematopoietic Stem Cells and Leukemia Regulation

The Rundberg Nilsson Lab is a newly established research group based at the Division of Molecular Medicine and Gene Therapy (Faculty of Medicine, Lund University) and the vibrant research environment surrounding Lund Stem Cell Center.

Our research focuses on understanding the fundamental biology of hematopoietic stem cells and the mechanisms that drive leukemogenesis. As a new and growing group, we are building an open and collaborative research environment that values curiosity, rigor, and scientific ambition.

Research Overview
The Rundberg Nilsson Lab investigates the fundamental mechanisms that govern hematopoietic stem cell (HSC) function and how disruptions in these regulatory networks affect HSC fitness and contribute to leukemia initiation and progression. Our group combines experimental stem cell biology with molecular, genomic, and computational approaches to uncover how blood formation is maintained throughout life — and how malignant transformation occurs when these processes fail. A central focus of our work is to define how transcriptional, epigenetic, and stress‑response pathways safeguard stem cell identity and function. Ongoing projects explore how specific genetic perturbations influence leukemia development, disease aggressiveness, and stem cell vulnerability.

Research Areas
Our research spans multiple interconnected themes, including:

Hematopoietic stem cell maintenance and stress responses: Investigating the cellular programs that preserve HSC integrity during physiological and pathological challenges.
Mechanisms of leukemic transformation: Identifying how specific mutations or gene regulatory disruptions reprogram leukemic and pre-leukemic cells.
Multi‑omics approaches: Integrating single‑cell analyses, and perturbation systems to map regulatory networks in normal and malignant hematopoiesis.