Nicolas Pillon

About me

Docent and team leader for the team inflammation and metabolism, Nicolas Pillon is interested in understanding how the immune system regulates skeletal muscle function and metabolism.

Born in the French Alps, Nicolas moved to Lyon (France) to do his PhD in the laboratory of Dr. Hubert Vidal. In 2011, he joined Prof. Amira Klip's laboratory in Toronto (Canada), where he started working on immunometabolism using /in vitro/ models of inflammation and insulin resistance. Nicolas joined the Karolinska Institutet in 2015 and has been a team leader since 2022.

Imagine your body as a complex system where the immune system is the security team. They need to work in synergy with all other organs for everything to run smoothly, especially when it comes to using energy from food. This balance is key to preventing and managing metabolic diseases, like type 2 diabetes. Our project dives into how these two vital components interact, particularly during exercise or when our body faces challenges like too much sugar. Our goal is to uncover new knowledge that could point us toward better ways to prevent or treat metabolic diseases. This project is about blending detailed scientific research with the bigger picture of improving health. By studying how the immune system and muscles talk to each other, we're hoping to find new strategies to keep everyone healthier.

As a dedicated educator in physiology, cellular biology and biomedicine, Nicolas has significantly contributed to both undergraduate and graduate education in Sweden and France. His international experience is highlighted by previous teaching roles at Stockholm University, Université de Lyon, and INSA, emphasizing his commitment to the internationalization of education. He currently leads physiology courses at Karolinska Institutet and KTH Royal Institute of Technology.