MIMS, hosted at Umeå University, is the Swedish node in the Nordic EMBL Partnership for Molecular Medicine. The partnership between EMBL, the Institute for Molecular Medicine Finland (FIMM), the Centre for Molecular Medicine Norway (NCMM), the Danish Research Institute of Translational Neuroscience (DANDRITE) and the Laboratory for Molecular Infection Medicine Sweden (MIMS) is dedicated to the growing field of life sciences that investigates the molecular basis of disease and explores molecularly and genetically based treatments. MIMS aims to strengthen Swedish research and enhance the dynamics in the field of molecular medicine, partly by promoting the career opportunities for young scientists. MIMS emerged from the Umeå Centre for Microbial Research (UCMR) that includes researchers active in the fields of molecular and clinical microbiology, molecular biology, chemistry and physics and is closely connected to the Umeå University Hospital. The research groups have a pronounced international profile with many guest researchers and graduate students, as well as faculty members, from other countries. The groups work in modern laboratories with well-equipped common facilities establishing a basis for a creative and highly interactive environment.