Prof Sven Pettersson, MD, PhD, is a Principal Investigator at NNI, Singapore and Adjunct Professor at NUS. He is a well-established researcher in the field of molecular biology and microbe-host interactions with several large interdisciplinary grants with Academy and industry over the years. He is a highly cited world class researcher with large number of publications in high profile journals world-wide.

Being awarded a philanthropy grant from the J.Cheah Foundation, Malaysia, he established the ASEAN Microbiome Nutrition Centre (AMNC) at NNI. In a short time, he has positioned AMNC on the international arena by several high-profile publications. His vision - developing food solutions to guide microbes/metabolites to slow down biological ageing and prevent onset of age-linked illness, has positioned him in an ideal position for future and ongoing collaborations.

Prof Pettersson has a thorough understanding of the scientific culture system in Singapore and know how to synergise and acquire additive effect across stakeholders and institutions expected of a senior PI in SingHealth. His projects - microbe-brain interactions tuning mental health and role in neuro-degenerative diseases is exciting and he is therefore in an ideal position and well-equipped to master his role as senior and lead PI for his projects.

• Ph.D., Umeå University, Sweden, 1985, Immunology
• ​M.D., Umeå University, Sweden, 1986, Medicine

• Principal Investigator, National Neuroscience Institute
• Director, ASEAN Microbiome Nutrition Centre
• Adjunct Professor, National University of Singapore
• Senior Research Fellow, Canadian Institute for Advance Research CIFAR, Canada

• ASEAN Microbiome Nutrition Centre Award, 2021 – 2026
• Best Department Publication, Karolinska Institutet, 2011, 2014
• A*STAR Award, 1996
• Cornells Award, 1991 – 1994
• EMBO Fellowship, 1987 - 1989

• Gut microbe-host interactions with a strong focus on gut brain communication

• Yu W, Xiao Y, Jayaraman A, Yen YC, Lee HU, Pettersson S, Je HS. EMBO Mol Med. 2025. Microbial metabolites tune amygdala neuronal hyperexcitability and anxiety-linked behaviors.
• Wei GZ, Martin KA, Xing PY, Agrawal R, Whiley L, Wood TK, Hejndorf S, Ng YZ, Low JZY, Rossant J, Nechanitzky R, Holmes E, Nicholson JK, Tan EK, Matthews PM, Pettersson S, 2021. PNAS  Tryptophan-metabolizing gut microbes regulate adult neurogenesis via the aryl hydrocarbon receptor.
• Kundu P, Blacher E, Elinav E, Pettersson S, 2017 Cell. Our Gut Microbiome: The Evolving Inner Self.
• Braniste V, Al-Asmakh M, Kowal C, Anuar F, Abbaspour A, Tóth M, Korecka A, Bakocevic N, Ng LG, Kundu P, Gulyás B, Halldin C, Hultenby K, Nilsson H, Hebert H, Volpe BT, Diamond B, Pettersson S. Science TM, 2014. The gut microbiota influences blood-brain barrier permeability in mice.
• Nicholson JK, Holmes E, Kinross J, Burcelin R, Gibson G, Jia W, Pettersson S. Host-gut microbiota metabolic interactions. SCIENCE 2012.
• For Full List of Publications: Sven Pettersson-‪Google Scholar