Professor Dr. Kjell Wikvall

Biography

Kjell Wikvall is a Professor Emeritus in Biochemistry at Uppsala University, specializing in steroid biochemistry and cell biology. Since 2016, he has focused on the roles of enzymes and regulatory mechanisms in the formation and metabolism of bile acids and vitamin D. His academic journey began at the Karolinska Institute, where he completed his MD in 1978 after defending his PhD in Medical Chemistry in 1977. Over his career, he has made significant contributions to our understanding of enzymatic processes related to bile acid biosynthesis and vitamin D activation. His pioneering work led to the isolation and characterization of key enzymes such as CYP27A1 and CYP7A1, essential for bile acid metabolism and vitamin D activation. He has been an influential supervisor for numerous doctoral students and has earned multiple educational awards, including the Uppsala University Distinguished Teaching Award. His research continues to explore the regulatory effects of bile acids and vitamin D metabolites on cellular functions and health.

Research Interests

Experience