Research description

We study gene flow from Neandertals and Denisovans into modern humans. In addition, we are interested in genetic variability and the functional consequences thereof, particularly for membrane-bound proteins such as receptors and ion channels. Other topics of interest include the genetic predisposition to infectious diseases, such as COVID-19 (see https://swecovid.org/).

The Zeberg laboratory is pleased to consider applications from prospective master- and PhD students, particularly keen experimentalists.

Group members: Richard Ågren, Kristoffer Sahlholm, Hugh Robinson

Selection of recent publications

Genetic determinants of mannose-binding lectin activity predispose to thromboembolic complications in critical COVID-19. Hultström M, Frithiof R, Grip J, /.../, Lipcsey M, Zeberg H*  & Eriksson O* Nature Immunology 2022 May

The major genetic risk factor for severe COVID-19 is associated with protection against HIV. Zeberg H PNAS 2022 Feb

Multi-ancestry fine mapping implicates OAS1 splicing in risk of severe COVID-19. Huffman JE, Butler-Laporte G, Khan A, /.../, Kiryluk K, Richards JB & Zeberg H Nature Genetics 2022 Jan

A substitution in the glutathione reductase lowers electron leakage and inflammation in modern humans. Coppo C, Mishra  P, Siefert  N , Holmgren  A, Pääbo  S & Zeberg H Science Advances 2022 Jan

Age-dependent impact of the major common genetic risk factor for COVID-19 on severity and mortality. Nakanishi T, Pigazzini S, Degenhardt F, /.../, Zeberg H, Richards JB & Ganna A J Clin Invest 2021 Oct

Mapping the human genetic architecture of COVID-19. COVID-19 Host Genetics Initiative (incl. SweCovid). Nature 2021 Jul

A Neanderthal OAS1 isoform protects individuals of European ancestry against COVID-19 susceptibility and severity. Zhou S, Butler-Laporte G, Nakanishi T, /.../, Zeberg H, Langenberg C, Thysell E, Pollak M, Mooser V, Forgetta V, Kaufmann DE & Richards JB Nature Medicine 2021 Feb

A genomic region associated with protection against severe COVID-19 is inherited from Neandertals. Zeberg H & Pääbo S PNAS 2021

Longitudinal variability in mortality predicts COVID-19 deaths. Lundberg JO & Zeberg H Eur J Epidemiol 2021 Jul

The major genetic risk factor for severe COVID-19 is inherited from Neanderthals. Zeberg H & Pääbo S Nature 2020

A Neanderthal Sodium Channel Increases Pain Sensitivity in Present-Day Humans. Zeberg H, Dannemann M, Sahlholm K, Tsuo K, Maricic T, Wiebe V, et al Curr. Biol. 2020

The Neandertal Progesterone Receptor. Zeberg H, Kelso J & Pääbo S Mol. Biol. Evol. 2020

Antipsychotics with similar association kinetics at dopamine D2 receptors differ in extrapyramidal side-effects. Zeberg H & Sahlholm K Nature Commun 2018