Dr. Stina Syvänen

Biography

Stina Syvänen is a professor at Uppsala University, specializing in the Department of Public Health and Caring Sciences with a focus on Molecular Geriatrics. Her research centers on understanding the molecular mechanisms underlying Alzheimer's disease and various types of dementia. Syvänen's work involves generating antibodies that specifically interact with forms of amyloid-beta (Aβ) and alpha-synuclein, exploring their potential as therapeutic agents. Notably, she has developed modified antibodies that interact with the transferrin receptor (TfR), which is typically involved in iron transport to the brain. This innovative interaction allows these antibodies to cross the blood-brain barrier effectively, significantly increasing their concentration in the brain for potential therapeutic applications. Her investigations extend to the development of bispecific antibodies and novel positron emission tomography (PET) radioligands for immunotherapeutics. Furthermore, Syvänen is conducting parallel research on brain-penetrant antibodies to study changes in the blood-brain barrier associated with neurodegeneration, using small molecule PET radioligands to investigate the pathology of the aging brain, particularly focusing on protein deposits, neuroinflammation, and synaptic dysfunction.

Research Interests