Department of Biomedical and Clinical Sciences (BKV)

The Department of Biomedical and Clinical Sciences (BKV) is one of the largest departments at Linköping University with affiliation mainly to the Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences.

Our goal is to provide education and research in medicine and biomedicine, of high international quality.

Research

At BKV, you will find leading research with both depth and breadth across a wide spectrum of modern biomedicine; from detailed molecular and cellular studies to genetics, clinical research, and epidemiology.

The research activities are expanding and are still in a very positive development. Some of our strongest areas of research of very high caliber are neurobiology, genetics, cancer and blood cell research, drug research, as well as regenerative medicine and systems medicine.

Several research centers that BKV is involved in:

  • Barnafrid – National centre for knowledge concerning violence against children
  • Center for Social and Affective Neuroscience – CSAN
  • Ingrid Asp Psoriasis Research Center
  • The Center for Disaster Medicine and Traumatology – KMC
  • Wallenberg Centre for Molecular Medicine – WCMM

Education

In basic education, BKV conducts activities in the following areas:

  • Biomedical Laboratory Science Programme, 180 credits
  • BSc Experimental and Industrial Biomedicine, 180 credits
  • Supplementary study programme to biomedical scientist, 60 credits
  • Complementary Programme for Biomedical Laboratory Scientists with a Foreign Degree, 90 credits
  • Speech and Language Pathology Programme, 240 credits
  • Medical Programme, 360 credits

Education at an advanced level

  • Master's Programme in Genetic counselling, 120 credits
  • MSc Experimental and Medical Biosciences, 120 credits

Doctoral studies

BKV has about 300 doctoral students, of which 50 are employed as doctoral candidates and the rest are clinical doctoral candidates.

Standalone Courses

BKV offers around 30 standalone courses.

Contract Education

Our experienced researchers and teachers provide contract education related to the fields of healthcare and social care, of high quality.

Collaboration with Region Östergötland

BKV is involved in the development of several strategic research areas at Linköping University and Region Östergötland. The missions of these areas are to conduct internationally outstanding research that can eventually lead to practical applicability in healthcare, social care, or business activities. And to create an inclusive research environment with a high scientific level.

The strategic research areas are:

  • Medical Inflammation and Infection Center (MIIC)
  • Center for Systems Neurobiology
  • Cancer
  • Strategic Research Area in Forensic Sciences
  • Circulation and metabolism - CircM

BKV in Numbers

  • Turns over half a billion SEK annually
  • Over 500 employees
  • 100 teaching positions
  • 50 professors
  • 300 doctoral students – 50 employed and the rest are clinical doctoral candidates

You can read more about our activities and departments below.

Upcoming events

Research

Frozen bio samples.

GraBB – Pregnancy Biobank

In collaboration between LiU, the Women's Clinic in Linköping and Linköping University Hospital a biobank has been created with blood samples from 8,000 pregnant women.

Logga 10th european rota virus biology meeting.

10th European Rotavirus Biology Meeting

Welcome to the 10th European Rotavirus Biology Meeting in Linköping, Sweden the 15-17th of June 2026.

Arvelund lab top imagea

Tumor Immunology and Immunotherapy

The aims of our research are to uncover the cellular and molecular mechanisms that predispose to systemic and long-term anti-tumor immunity and the mechanisms that drive resistance to immunotherapy.

News

Young woman measures blood sugar level. Diabetes using lancet.

Foundations for type 1 diabetes may already be laid during pregnancy

Researchers have identified a protein pattern that, already at birth, looks markedly different in those who later go on to develop type 1 diabetes. The findings show that a combination of several factors during pregnancy affects disease risk.

A group of people sitting in a conference room.

"We have so much to learn from each other"

On 8-9 december 2025, it was once again time to bring together the WCMM/DDLS affiliates for a retreat.

En skara människor i en föreläsningssal.

Six new SciLifeLab group leaders appointed at Linköping University

In the autumn of 2025, it was announced that Linköping University has six new SciLifeLab Group Leaders: Linda Bojmar, BKV, Johanna Ungerstedt, BKV, Martin Hallbeck, BKV, Mika Gustafsson, IFM, Claudio Mirabello, IFM and Colm Nestor, BKV.

A snowy path with a building in the background.

SEK 40 million from the Swedish Research Council for clinical therapy research

A reduction in infection risks during hip replacement surgery and improved care for people with opioid dependence can lead to safer surgery and more effective addiction therapy.

Pregnant women in a room.

Better care of expectant mothers in focus for new research centre

It should not matter where in the country a woman gives birth. Nor should her background. A new research centre is therefore being set up, to make the entire care chain for expectant and new mothers more equal and based on their individual needs.

The shape of the cell nucleus influences cancer treatment

Cancer cells with a cell nucleus that is easily deformed are more sensitive to drugs that damage DNA, shows a new study. The results may also explain why combining certain cancer drugs can produce the opposite of the intended effect.

Our divisions

Teaser image for the division Barnafrid at BKV.

Barnafrid (BARNAF)

Barnafrid is a national knowledge center with the aim of assembling and disseminating knowledge about violence and other abuses against children. It is a government commission that was assigned Linköping University in 2015.

Teaser image for the Division BKH at BKV.

Division of Children's and Women's Health (BKH)

The Division of Children’s and Women’s Health consists of a number of different research and educational areas - obstetrics / gynecology and pediatrics.

The Division of Cell and Neurobiology (CNB)

The Division of Cell and Neurobiology is a dynamic and innovative environment where we conduct research and teaching on both the structure and function of various cells as well as the nervous system and sensory organs.

Core Facility 

Contact us

Department management

Co-workers