SV EN

Fredrik Bäckhed

Fredrik Bäckhed is Professor of Molecular Medicine at the University of Gothenburg and leads Bäckhed Lab, where his research focuses on understanding how communication between the gut microbiota and the host shapes human physiology, metabolism, and cardiometabolic disease.

For more than two decades, his research has helped define the gut microbiota as a fundamental regulator of host metabolism and established microbial metabolites as causal mediators of disease. His laboratory integrates microbial ecology, bacterial physiology, metabolomics, systems biology, and clinical research to uncover the molecular mechanisms that govern host–microbe communication.

Fredrik's research is guided by a simple principle:

"Metabolism is the language through which microbes and humans communicate."

By deciphering this molecular dialogue, his laboratory seeks to translate fundamental discoveries into microbiome-based diagnostics, therapeutics, and precision medicine.

Fredrik serves as Director of the Wallenberg Laboratory for Cardiovascular and Metabolic Research and Director of the Microbiome Health Initiative. He has the privilege of leading international research initiatives that bring together scientists and clinicians with the shared goal of translating microbiome research into improved human health.

A central goal of his work is to ensure that fundamental discoveries reach patients. This has led to active engagement in innovation and entrepreneurship through the development of microbiome-based diagnostics and therapeutics in collaboration with clinicians, industry, and biotechnology partners.

Fredrik is a member of EMBO, a Fellow of the American Society for Microbiology (ASM), and a member of the Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences and the Royal Swedish Academy of Engineering Sciences. His research has been supported by the European Research Council through both Consolidator and Advanced Grants, as well as by major national and international funding agencies.

Fredrik Bäckhed has co-authored more than 200 peer-reviewed publications, including numerous papers in leading journals such as Nature, Science, Cell, and Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (PNAS). In 2025, he was recognized by Clarivate as one of the World's Most Cited Researchers in both Microbiology and Molecular Biology & Genetics, reflecting the global impact of his research.

To full list of publications: ORCID: 0000-0002-4871-8818

Fredrik Bäckhed has received several prestigious awards and appointments including:

  • Elected member of European Molecular Biology Organization, EMBO (2025) 
  • Elected Fellow American Academy of Microbiology (2025)

  • Director Microbiome Health Initiative, MHI (2025)

  • Director Wallenberg Laboratory for Cardiovascular and Metabolic Research (2024)

  • European Research Council (ERC) Advanced Grant (2023)

  • Bengt Ihre medal, Swedish Society of Gastroenterology (2022)

  • Lydia J. Roberts Memorial Lecturer (2021): Gut Microbiota and Its Effects on Type 2 Diabetes

  • Gold medalist, Royal Swedish Academy of Engineering Sciences (IVA) for outstanding achievements within engineering, economics, business and industry, and society (2020)

  • Göran Gustafsson’s Prize in Medicine (2014)

  • Prince Daniel´s award for a young promising researcher, Swedish Heart Lung Foundation (2013)

  • The DuPont Young Professor Award (2013)

  • ERC consolidator award (2013)

  • DPLU/LUDC Nordic Prize for an Outstanding Young Diabetes Investigator (2010)

  • The Eric K. Fernström Prize for young scientists (Sweden)

In addition, he has received the Minkowsiki prize from the EASD which is awarded to the most outstanding young European diabetes researcher under the age of 45. He has been elected to the Young Academy of Sweden (2011-2015), The Royal Swedish Academy of Engineering Sciences (2015), The Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences (2018). He has also been appointed Torsten Söderberg Professor in Medicine (one in Sweden each year) and Wallenberg Scholar.