The Nestor Lab (Decoding the Epigenetic Foundations of Human Health)

Björn Gylemo - Postdoctoral researcher

I am a computational biologist and currently a postdoctoral researcher in the Nestor lab. I earned my Ph.D. from Linköping University, Sweden, in Colm Nestor’s lab, where I studied the dynamics of X-chromosome inactivation (XCI) in humans. My research focused on the fidelity of XCI escape during human T cell development, the variability of escape across tissues within individuals, and the frequency and genetic basis of constitutional XCI skew.

To investigate XCI escape, I employed integrative analyses of both direct measures, including single-cell and bulk allele-specific expression (the latter in females with completely skewed XCI), and indirect measures such as DNA methylation and sex-biased gene expression. For studying constitutional XCI skew, we developed a novel method, Tandem Repeat-based Identification of X-chromosome Inactivation (TRiXi), and but I have also leveraged long-read nanopore sequencing to assess XCI skew via allele-specific methylation.

Currently, I am exploring the research opportunities enabled by nanopore and long-read sequencing, including adaptive sampling strategies tailored to our experimental needs and applications in epitranscriptomics. My broader interests lie in genetics, with a particular focus on the sex chromosomes.

Outside of work, I enjoy spending time with my family, running, mountain biking, and hiking.

Lisa Haglund - PhD student

I’m originally from Stockholm, Sweden, and completed my Bachelor’s degree in Biology and my Master’s degree in Experimental and Medical Bioscience at Linköping University. During my Master’s studies, I joined the Nestor Lab, where I spent two years exploring how DNA methylation contributes to hematological malignancies.

I am interested in the interplay between genetics and epigenetics, and how epimutations can mimic loss-of-function mutations, driving cancer progression. In December 2024, I began my PhD studies, where my research focuses on transgenerational epigenetic inheritance, aiming to understand why some Swedish families with a strong pattern of hereditary cancer show no detectable pathogenic germline mutations.

Outside the lab, I enjoy running and cycling and, most importantly, spending time with friends and family.

Engla Haglund - PhD student

I grew up in Stockholm and hold a bachelor's degree in Biotechnology, a Master's degree in Medical Biotechnology, and a Master of Science in Engineering (Biotechnology) from KTH (2025). During my master's studies, I spent a semester on exchange at Instituto Superior Técnico in Lisbon, which broadened my perspective on multiple scientific topics and further deepened my interest in genetics. For my master’s project, I joined the Nestor lab to investigate the role of TET2 in leukemic cell biology. After completing my master’s, I continued in the lab, combining bioinformatics and wet-lab work to study genetics and epigenetics from different angles and gain a comprehensive understanding of biological processes.

Sandra Hellberg - Assistant professor

I grew up in sunny Karlstad, Värmland, and later moved to Linköping to study biology at the Technical Faculty (LiU). After three years, I realized that I preferred spending my days in the lab rather than out in the forest, which led me to pursue a master’s degree in Medical Biosciences at the Faculty of Medicine. During my studies, I developed a strong interest in immunology and joined the late Professor Jan Ernerudh’s research group as a PhD student. My doctoral work focused on immune adaptations during pregnancy and on understanding why patients with multiple sclerosis often experience improvement during this period.

In the later stages of my PhD, I became increasingly interested in how epigenetic mechanisms influence immune regulation, with a focus on DNA methylation.

After earning my PhD in 2019, I joined Professor Mika Gustafsson’s team in Translational Systems Biology to strengthen my computational skills and further investigate the role of DNA methylation in immune-mediated diseases. During this time, I was awarded a prestigious postdoctoral fellowship from Hjärnfonden.

In 2023, I returned to the Faculty of Medicine as an Assistant Professor in Immunology and Epigenetics. Within the Nestor group, I continue to study how DNA methylation influences human health and disease, with a particular focus on cancer. My research bridges immunology, molecular biology, genetics, and epigenetics to understand mechanisms underlying complex diseases. I also lead a project on X-chromosome biology in the context of the female-predominant autoimmune disease systemic lupus erythematosus.

Shadi Jafari - Principal Research Engineer

I am interested in understanding why females often resist infections better than males yet are more prone to autoimmune diseases. My research explores how the X chromosome shapes these differences through molecular and epigenetic regulation of immune cell development and behavior.

I studied medicine in Tehran, Iran, but soon became fascinated by the molecular logic behind how cells make decisions. This interest led me to pursue a master's degree in Genetics and Physiology and later a PhD in Neurobiology at Linköping University, Sweden, where I investigated how genes define sensory neuron identity in Drosophila. My doctoral work was recognized as the Best Medical Thesis of Linköping University in 2015.

After my PhD, I continued my research at Linköping University and New York University, exploring how chromatin and gene regulation shape neuronal development. My work focused on a newly identified neuron type in the fly optic lobe.

By combining developmental, anatomical, and transcriptomic analyses, I uncovered how these neurons originate, differentiate, and degenerate during metamorphosis. I also collaborated on a comparative study of olfactory sensory neurons in ants and flies, examining how neuronal activity and the co-receptor Orco influence their development and survival across species.

Now, as a Senior Research Engineer at Linköping University, I lead an ERC-funded project investigating X-chromosome inactivation (XCI)—the process that balances gene dosage between sexes—and how variation in XCI contributes to sex differences in immunity. My work bridges genetics, molecular biology, and medicine, connecting molecular mechanisms to the broader patterns seen in health and disease.

My long-term goal is to understand how chromatin structure and X-linked gene activity influence immunity, neurodevelopment, and aging, including in extremely preterm newborns and aging women.

Ingela Johansson - Research Engineer

I have a Master’s degree in Engineering Biology from Linköping University, where I specialized in chemistry and biology.

I started working at Linköping University in 2004 in Professor Johnny Ludvigsson’s group, focusing on research into type 1 diabetes. Since 2023, I’ve been part of Colm Nestor’s group as a research engineer.

I’m responsible for keeping the lab running smoothly — making sure everything works as it should, helping PhD students with their projects, and working on a few of my own along the way.

Svenja Löffert - PhD student

I grew up in Germany, where my fascination with science began at an early age. When I was eight, I often accompanied my mother to work and watched her perform lab experiments. Being surrounded by scientists and exposed to hands-on experiments sparked my curiosity about the immune system and the wonders of biology.

While living in the United States, I took advanced science courses and even performed animal surgeries, experiences that deepened my passion for medicine and research. Back in Germany, I pursued a Bachelor’s degree in Applied Biology at the University of Bonn, focusing on medical science and pharmacology. For my thesis, I joined a lab in Würzburg, where I investigated the role of T cells in acute Graft-versus-Host Disease—an exciting project that connected my interests in immunology and oncology.

In 2024, I completed the Experimental and Medical Biosciences program and joined the Nestor group for my thesis project. Continuing my focus on T cells, I shifted my research toward genetic and epigenetic mechanisms, specifically studying X-chromosome inactivation during T-cell differentiation. Today, as a PhD student in the group, I’m exploring how the second X chromosome influences CD4+ T-cell–mediated immunity and contributes to sex-based differences in immune responses.

Outside the lab, I love traveling the world, learning new languages, and immersing myself in different cultures. I also enjoy relaxing with a cozy mug of coffee and a fast-paced psychological thriller—or teaching myself how to play the guitar.