Erik Lindahl

Professor in Computational biophysics at KTH Royal Institute of Technology and Stockholm University

Membership period 2011–2016

My research focus on that, with help from genetic information and experimental structures, model properties and dynamics in biological macro molecules such as proteins and cell membranes. My work has resulted in one of the worlds most spread programs for biomoleculare modeling (Gromacs), which is used for distributed calculations in the Folding@Home-project. My research group has made important discoveries concerning how proteins are placed i cell membranes, how ion channels are opened and closed, and how virus infects cells by fusion with cell membranes. The development of computation methods for biomolecules has as a link between theory and experiment led to breakthrough in applications, for example within the pharmaceutical industry.

IMAGES

To the left: Erik Lindahl. Click for high resolution portrait. Photo: Markus Marcetic
Middle: Computor simulation of chemical course. Click for high resolution image.
To the right: Erik Lindahl gives a scientific presentation at a academy meeting. Click to enlarge. Photo: Anna Sjöström Douagi

Zoom image

1: Erik Lindahl comments on the announcement of the Nobel Prize in Chemistry 2015 that was awarded to his uncle Tomas Lindahl. 2: Photo: Markus Marcetic/YAS (Click to enlarge)

CONTACT

erik@kth.se

Click for high resolution press photo. Photo: Markus Marcetic/YAS

IN BRIEF

Born: 1972
Family: Married to Camilla Lindahl, three children: Andrea, Markus and Maria (twins).
Interests: Besides research and family, I try to find time for sailing and I also like photografing. Wine-testing is a great interest and one advantage with travelling is the opportunity to visit vineyards all over the world!
Övrigt: I also have an inerest in engineering and like to dismantle an engine in order to repare it. I have a driver’s license as a cinema projectionist since my student time and I still know how to handle a 35mm Zeiss-projector with Xenon-lamp!

“I am passionate about Swedish universities becoming better at mobility and recruitment. Sweden has plenty of very good research, but we have a huge problem in that most universities primarily hire their own doctors instead of attracting foreign researchers with new experiences, new ideas, and new research areas. This nepotism repeats itself on many more levels than we think: we mainly appoint managers from loyal servants instead of recruiting someone from outside who wants to change the status quo, and in the end most Swedish university rectors have a doctorate at their own university and have followed a long administrative path instead of being world-leading researchers.
The Young Academy of Sweden provides a platform to push these ideas and try to shape a more competitive academy based on the needs of research!”