20 younger researchers have just received fellowships for over DKK 85 million (EUR 11.4 million) from the Novo Nordisk Foundation. The many fellowships will be used for research within topics such as family medicine, medical science, clinical research and biotechnology.
The new fellowship awardees were celebrated at a ceremony at the Foundation on Thursday 21 April 2016. True to tradition colleagues, friends and family were among the audience counting more than 80 guests in total. Each new fellow presented their research taking extra care to present it in a fashion suited for people without a research background.
Representatives of the Foundation’s scientific committees, who evaluated their applications, introduced each awardee and handed over a diploma.
There was a positive atmosphere full of expectation in the auditorium when the 20 new fellows presented the projects they will be spending the next 3-5 years on.
See all the projects below:
EXCELLENCE PROJECT
Daniel Quintana
Dr.
Age: 31
GRANT AMOUNT:
DKK 5 million.
GRANT DURATION:
5 years
PLACE OF RESEARCH:
Faculty of Medicine, Oslo University
PROJECT TITLE:
Investigating oxytocin system dysfunction as a common link between metabolic and psychiatric symptoms in severe mental illness
ABSTRACT:
One-third of patients with severe mental illnesses suffer from metabolic syndrome (MetS), which is a collection of symptoms predictive for the development of cardiovascular disease and diabetes. However, the precise physiological mechanism underpinning this shared risk remains unclear. Research on the neurobiology of social behaviour has established the central role of the neuropeptide oxytocin (OT) in the development of severe mental illness. In parallel to this line of investigation, converging lines of evidence indicate that OT system dysregulation may also underlie the development of MetS. To create a translational bridge between pre-clinical work and a novel OT treatment, this project will deepen knowledge on the OT system’s role in metabolic function in severe mental illness by exploring the shared genetic basis of metabolic dysfunction and psychiatric symptoms, and by examining the role of metabolic symptoms in key aberrant biological and cognitive domains in severe mental illness.
EXCELLENCE PROJECT
Ulrika Islander
Associate professor
Age: 40
GRANT AMOUNT:
DKK 5 million.
GRANT DURATION:
5 years
PLACE OF RESEARCH:
Dept. of Rheumatology and Inflammation Research, Gothenburg University
PROJECT TITLE:
Inhibition of inflammation and osteoporosis by estrogen
ABSTRACT:
The goal of my research is to identify mechanisms controlling the beneficial effects of estrogen on rheumatoid arthritis (RA). This information will aid in the development of new and improved treatment strategies for RA and associated bone loss.
Treatment with estrogen is beneficial in RA by reducing both the inflammation and the associated bone loss, but it is not recommended as long-term therapy due to severe side effects like cancer. T cells that produce the protein IL-17 are important for the development of both RA and bone loss and I have recently found that estrogen inhibits the transport of IL-17 producing T cells from lymph nodes (where they develop) to joints (where they act). In this project I will define the specific mechanisms involved in this effect, and I will also determine if a synthetic form of estrogen can be used as treatment in RA without unwanted side effects.
EXCELLENCE PROJECT
Signe Torekov
Associate Professor
Age: 38
GRANT AMOUNT:
DKK 5 million.
GRANT DURATION:
5 years
PLACE OF RESEARCH:
Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Copenhagen
PROJECT TITLE:
Synergistic effects of GLP-1 and exercise on immuno-metabolic health. Eat less, exercise more – for the future children
ABSTRACT:
Today, nearly 1 billion people are obese. Obesity impairs all aspects of health and increase inflammation. Therefore there is an acute need for better treatment. Both exercise and treatment with the appetite inhibiting hormone GLP-1 seem to sustain a healthy weight loss and reduce inflammation. We will investigate whether the combination of treatment with both GLP-1 and exercise causes an even greater and healthier sustained weight loss with no inflammation. On top of that we will investigate whether this treatment can improve the healthy bacteria living in your gut. Finally, we will investigate whether this treatment can improve not only your own health, but also the health profile that you pass on to your future children in the sperm cells.
EXCELLENCE PROJECT
Niels Grarup
Associate professor
Age: 42
GRANT AMOUNT:
DKK 5 million.
GRANT DURATION:
5 years
PLACE OF RESEARCH:
Section for Metabolic Genetics, University of Copenhagen
PROJECT TITLE:
Genes and metabolic health in the Greenlandic Inuit population
ABSTRACT:
Type 2 diabetes and glucose levels in the blood are heritable. In this project, we will study the genetic determinants of these traits in the Greenlandic Inuit population. This small population has been isolated in an unfriendly environment for thousands of years and therefore are genetically extremely interesting. Here we have the rare opportunity to study individuals carrying detrimental genetic variation in two copies, which will lead to unique biological insights. The project will potentially lead to new possibilities for prevention and treatment in Greenlandic individuals and to improvement of our understanding of type 2 diabetes with a global impact.
NOVO NORDISK FOUNDATION POSTDOC FELLOWSHIP FOR RESEARCH ABROAD
Sandra Breum Andersen
PhD
Age: 32
GRANT AMOUNT:
DKK 3,875,682
GRANT DURATION:
4 years (3 years abroad, 1 year in Denmark)
DANISH HOST INSTITUTION:
Novo Nordisk Foundation Center for Basic Metabolic Research, University of Copenhagen
PLACE OF RESEARCH:
New York University School of Medicine
PROJECT TITLE:
The social life of Helicobacter pylori -and how it affects our health
ABSTRACT:
Apparently simple bacteria lead complex social lives –cooperating, competing and cheating. When these interactions occur in a human body it may affect our health. Helicobacter pylori (Hp) is known for causing stomach ulcers and cancer but has recently been found to also have its benefits, by priming the immune system. I will test how the social life of Hp affects host health. Some Hp produce proteins that have both positive and negative effects. I will explore whether production is a cooperative behaviour, and the host effects of Hp interactions, with a mouse assay where Hp protects against asthma. Understanding these dynamics will be a step towards managing Hp infection.
NOVO NORDISK FOUNDATION POSTDOC FELLOWSHIP FOR RESEARCH ABROAD
Malene Jepsen
M.Sc., Ph.d.-student
Age: 28
GRANT AMOUNT:
DKK 3,186,772
GRANT DURATION:
4 years (3 years abroad, 1 year in Denmark)
DANISH HOST INSTITUTION:
Molecular Biology and Genetics, Aarhus Universitet
PLACE OF RESEARCH:
Monash University, Melbourne, Australia
PROJECT TITLE:
Investigating a regulator of PI(3)P signaling as a novel oncogene in human breast cancer
ABSTRACT:
Breast cancer is the most frequently diagnosed cancer in females in the western world and metastatic disease is the second highest cause of cancer deaths in women. Cells often receive signals from growth factors mediating normal cell growth and division, but if such signals are not properly terminated, cells may continue to divide in an uncontrolled manner leading to cancer development. The PI(3)P pathway directs the termination of signaling arising from multiple factors, including growth factors, and failure in proper PI(3)P regulation may therefore cause cancer development. In this project, the role of a regulator of the PI(3)P pathway in breast cancer development will be studied, potentially leading to new therapeutic strategies.
NOVO NORDISK FOUNDATION POSTDOC FELLOWSHIP FOR RESEARCH ABROAD
Søren Fisker Schmidt
PostDoc, PhD
Age: 34
GRANT AMOUNT:
DKK 3,905,000
GRANT DURATION:
4 years (3 years abroad, 1 year in Denmark)
DANISH HOST INSTITUTION:
Institut for Biokemi og Molekylærbiologi, University of Southern Denmark
PLACE OF RESEARCH:
Institute of Diabetes and Cancer, Helmholtz Zentrum München
PROJECT TITLE:
Hepatic dysfunction in Cancer Cachexia
ABSTRACT:
Cancer cachexia is a devastating multi‐factorial condition characterized by massive loss of adipose tissue and skeletal muscle mass, which is believed to be the direct cause of up to 30% of cancer‐related deaths in humans. Studies have shown that the liver accumulates lipids in patients with cancer cachexia, but little is known about the functional implications of this lipid accumulation and of other changes in the liver for weightless and mortality in these patients. This project aims to investigate the importance of these changes for disease progression in mice with cancer cachexia. Given the high potential of the liver for uptake of drugs, we hope to outline possibilities for improved therapeutic intervention in cancer cachexia.
NOVO NORDISK FOUNDATION POSTDOC FELLOWSHIP FOR RESEARCH ABROAD
Lonnie Petersen
MD. Ph.D.
Age: 36
GRANT AMOUNT:
DKK 3,793,000
GRANT DURATION:
4 years (3 years abroad, 1 year in Denmark)
DANISH HOST INSTITUTION:
Sundhedsvidenskabelig fakultet, University of Copenhagen
PLACE OF RESEARCH:
School of Medicine, University of California, San Diego and Johnson Space Centre, Houston, Texas
PROJECT TITLE:
Mechanisms for regulation of pressure and perfusion of the brain: New countermeasures and treatment prospective
ABSTRACT:
Astronauts in space display symptoms similar to that of patients on Earth with elevated pressure in the brain. NASA’s operating model is that altered blood-volume distribution causes disturbances in the pressure regulation and fluid-circulation of the brain. This line of experiments will utilize a novel approach to 1) provide new insight into normal and pathophysiological association between fluid-shift, intracranial pressure, cerebrospinal fluid dynamics, and brain blood-flow. 2) Validate effects of non-invasive manipulation of blood volume and caudal fluid displacement to reduce ICP with the objective of providing a robust countermeasure for astronauts in space and treatment for patients on Earth.
POSTDOCTORAL FELLOWSHIP IN GENERAL PRACTICE/FAMILY MEDICINE
Anette Riisgaard Ribe
MD, PhD
Age: 39
GRANT AMOUNT:
DKK 1 million
GRANT DURATION:
4 years
PLACE OF RESEARCH:
Mental Health in Primary Care (MEPRICA), The Research Unit for General Practice, Department of Public Health, University of Aarhus
PROJECT TITLE:
Prognosis of elderly persons with mental-physical multimorbidity
ABSTRACT:
Multimorbidity, the co-existence of ≥ 2 chronical conditions, is currently considered the biggest challenge of modern health care. Optimal management of physical conditions in a geriatric patient population generally requires a high degree of self-care, adherence and integrated care from a collaborating health care system; all of which can be compromised in elderly persons with mental illness. Using a large population-based cohort with data from Danish nationwide registers, we aim to evaluate the prognosis for elderly persons with a mental disorder and common comorbid physical conditions to gain more knowledge on how to best support the many multi-diseased elderly people.
POSTDOCTORAL FELLOWSHIP IN GENERAL PRACTICE/FAMILY MEDICINE
Anne Møller
MD, PhD
Age: 43
GRANT AMOUNT:
DKK 1 million
GRANT DURATION:
4 years
PLACE OF RESEARCH:
Forskningsenheden for Almen Praksis i København, Københavns Universitet
PROJECT TITLE:
Multimorbidity and burden of disease and treatment
ABSTRACT:
The number of people suffering from more than one chronic disease (multimorbidity) is rising. Patients with multimorbidity are frequently attending their general practitioner according to management of multimorbidity. To help this group of patients we need a patient-centered measure of burden of disease and treatment. Through interviews with patients with multimorbidity, we will explore the patients’ perspectives on multimorbidity, and produce, and evaluate new scales for assessing burden of disease and treatment. Our future health system should be more patient-centered. Therefore, a reliable and valid measure of burden of disease and treatment among patients with multimorbidity has to be developed.
HALLAS-MØLLER INVESTIGATOR AWARD
Thomas Hansen
Adjunkt / Assistant Professor
Age: 37
GRANT AMOUNT:
Up to DKK 11 million
GRANT DURATION:
5 years
PLACE OF RESEARCH:
Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics, University of Aarhus
PROJECT TITLE:
Function and Biogenesis of Circular RNAs Involved in Neurological Disorders
ABSTRACT:
Over the last decades it has been well established that non-coding RNA, i.e. genomic transcripts not encoding proteins, can play important regulatory roles at all levels of gene expression. In addition, non-coding RNA has already been associated with a wide range of diseases. Circular RNA is a recently discovered class of non-coding RNA molecules with widespread abundance in all animals – specifically in brain tissue. So far, only little is known regarding the function of these RNA circles, but now with the support from the Novo Nordisk Foundation, we aim to study the role and relevance of circular RNA in cells and their possible impact on neurological disorders.
HALLAS-MØLLER INVESTIGATOR AWARD
Konstantin Khodosevich
Dr.
Age: 36
GRANT AMOUNT:
Up to DKK 11 million
GRANT DURATION:
5 years
PLACE OF RESEARCH:
Biotech Research and Innovation Centre, University of Copenhagen
PROJECT TITLE:
Specification of inhibitory neurons in normal and disordered brain
ABSTRACT:
There are two types of neurons in the brain – excitatory and inhibitory. While excitatory neurons ensure that information is transmitted from one brain region to another, inhibitory neurons control how it will be transmitted. In order to process different kinds of information, our brain produces multiple types of inhibitory neurons during development. Each type of inhibitory neurons has certain function in the brain, and disruption of their production gives raise to different neuropsychiatric disorders, e.g. epilepsy, schizophrenia or autism. The goal of the project is to understand how multitudes of inhibitory neurons are produced in the brain, and how dysfunction of inhibitory neurons contributes to neuropsychiatric disorders.
CLINICIAN SCIENTIST FELLOWSHIP
Jens Cosedis Nielsen
Professor of Electrophysiology
Age: 51
GRANT AMOUNT:
DKK 5 million
GRANT DURATION:
5 years
PLACE OF RESEARCH:
Department of Cardiology, Aarhus University Hospital
PROJECT TITLE:
Improving outcomes in patients with cardiac implanted electronic devices
ABSTRACT:
The overall aim of the study series is to improve clinical outcomes among patients treated with cardiac implanted electronic devices, including cardiac pacemakers, implantable defibrillators and triple-chamber devices for heart failure.
In national and international collaborations, we plan to conduct comparative studies in large patient cohorts to investigate whether improved treatments of common heart rhythm disorders and their consequences are beneficial in this population. Furthermore, we will document the benefit for heart failure patients of individualised optimal treatment with triple-chamber pacemakers. By experimental studies, we plan to evaluate new methods for catheter treatment of heart rhythm disorders.
CLINICIAN SCIENTIST FELLOWSHIP
Ida Vogel
Overlæge, PhD, DrMed
Age: 49
GRANT AMOUNT:
DKK 5 million
GRANT DURATION:
5 years
PLACE OF RESEARCH:
Department of Clinical Genetics, Aarhus University Hospital
PROJECT TITLE:
Prenatal testing in Denmark – detection, counseling and outcome
ABSTRACT:
With the research proposal we will develop and implement new genetic screening and diagnostic tools in pregnancy to identify serious fetal disease. Most other countries have inconsistent programs and low follow-up, and prenatal testing is provided rather out of an ability to pay than out of a risk of disease. Additionally, we will learn more of the preferences of women and their health providers. With these projects I aim to improve counseling of couples: when choosing between testing strategies, when giving a couple a diagnosis during pregnancy or when telling parents that their newborn has chromosomal anomaly.
CLINICIAN SCIENTIST FELLOWSHIP
Jakob Christensen
Overlæge, ph.d.
Age: 49
GRANT AMOUNT:
DKK 5 million
GRANT DURATION:
5 years
PLACE OF RESEARCH:
Department of Neurology, Aarhus University Hospital
PROJECT TITLE:
Epilepsy and psychiatric comorbidity
ABSTRACT:
Epilepsy is associated with increased morbidity and mortality – and has far reaching socioeconomic consequences for persons affected. Psychiatric co-morbidity contributes significantly to all aspects of epilepsy from pathogenic mechanisms to reductions in quality of life and survival.
Using national registers and biobanks, we will combine epidemiological and genetic data in studies of epilepsy and psychiatric co-morbidity.
The study aims to provide new targets for pharmaceutical intervention, discovering unknown environmental causes or risk factors and gene-environment interactions. This will allow for the development of targets for epilepsy prevention and improved treatment – ultimately reducing morbidity and mortality associated with epilepsy.
CLINICIAN SCIENTIST FELLOWSHIP
Carsten Niemann
MD, PhD
Age: 43
GRANT AMOUNT:
DKK 5 million
GRANT DURATION:
5 years
PLACE OF RESEARCH:
Department of Hematology, Copenhagen University Hospital
PROJECT TITLE:
Individually Tailored Treatment for Patients with Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia via a Big Data Machine-Learning Approach
ABSTRACT:
Chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL), the most common type of leukemia, has a very heterogeneous clinical course. Patients may not need treatment at all or need intensive therapy, while some suffer from severe infections or autoimmune complications.
Research has led to targeted therapies attacking intracellular pathways, which are changing the paradigm for treatment of CLL.
By applying machine learning models to multi-dimensional big data covering genetic and functional characterization of CLL cells from patients, clinical and laboratory variables, and health registry data; we develop algorithms for individually tailored CLL-specific treatment and supportive care. These algorithms will be tested in investigator-initiated clinical trials.
POSTDOCTORAL FELLOWSHIP FOR RESEARCH WITHIN BIOTECHNOLOGY-BASED SYNTHESIS AND PRODUCTION
Ditte Welner
PhD
Age: 36
GRANT AMOUNT:
DKK 1,685,754
GRANT DURATION:
2 years
PLACE OF RESEARCH:
Technical University of Denmark
PROJECT TITLE:
Glycosyltransferases as biocatalysts for eco-friendly blue jeans
ABSTRACT:
Blue jeans are the western world’s favorite garment. Its iconic, fading color comes from indigo dye. More than 40,000 tons of indigo is produced annually with the predominant purpose of dyeing denim. Conventional indigo production is ecologically devastating and encompasses significant occupational hazards. Hence, little indigo production is done in countries with rigorous environmental regulations. We suggest to use enzymes produced in bacteria instead of petroleum-derived chemicals. This is eco-friendly and non-toxic to workers. Presently, we do not know any suitable enzymes, but I will use my expertise in structural biology to develop efficient and stable indigo enzymes.
POSTDOCTORAL FELLOWSHIP FOR RESEARCH WITHIN BIOTECHNOLOGY-BASED SYNTHESIS AND PRODUCTION
Andreas Laustsen
Civilingeniør
Age: 28
GRANT AMOUNT:
DKK 1,695,876
GRANT DURATION:
2 years
PLACE OF RESEARCH:
DTU Systems Biology, Technical University of Denmark
PROJECT TITLE:
Human oligoclonal recombinant antivenoms
ABSTRACT:
Snakebites are a major public health concern in the tropical world, where 5 million people suffer from snakebite on a yearly basis. Due to their heterologous and immunogenic nature, current animal-derived antisera inflict severe adverse reactions in patients, such as serum sickness and anaphylaxis, in up to 80% of cases. This project aims at enabling the production of the world’s first fully recombinant oligoclonal antivenom based on human antibodies directed against medically relevant black mamba toxins. This solution offers the advantages of being safer, more efficacious, be less expensive to produce, and having very low batch-to-batch variation.
POSTDOCTORAL FELLOWSHIP FOR RESEARCH WITHIN BIOTECHNOLOGY-BASED SYNTHESIS AND PRODUCTION
Codruta Ignea
PhD
Age: 45
GRANT AMOUNT:
DKK 1,598,993
GRANT DURATION:
2 years
PLACE OF RESEARCH:
Department of Plant and Environmental Sciences, University of Copenhagen
PROJECT TITLE:
Reconstruction of the late steps of taxol biosynthesis in yeast
ABSTRACT:
Taxol is a powerful chemotherapeutic agent produced in the bark of the yew trees (Taxus). Extraction of taxol from the trees is very inefficient and requires the sacrifice of two fully-grown trees of an endangered species to obtain 1 gram of the compound. Moreover, chemical synthesis of taxol is not commercially viable. As a result, the price of taxol is very high and the cost of treatment for one patient can reach 55,000 DKK. The awarded fellowship aims to engineer the late steps of the taxol biosynthetic pathway in baker’s yeast (S. cerevisiae). This approach will provide a sustainable alternative to current methods of taxol production. Its successful completion could have a dramatic effect in the cost of patient treatment and in the associated public health system expenditure, and could serve as a paradigm for the biotechnological production of numerous other high-value natural products.
POSTDOCTORAL FELLOWSHIP FOR RESEARCH WITHIN BIOTECHNOLOGY-BASED SYNTHESIS AND PRODUCTION
Ting Yang
Dr.
Age: 34
GRANT AMOUNT:
DKK 1,599,990
GRANT DURATION:
2 years
PLACE OF RESEARCH:
Department of Plant and Environmental Sciences, University of Copenhagen
PROJECT TITLE:
Discovery of novel enzymes in alkaloid biosynthesis – towards the biotechnological production of plant insecticides and medicine
ABSTRACT:
For thousands of years, plants have provided human kind with valuable compounds to improve our lives, such as medicines, pesticides, etc. However, these compounds are usually present in small amounts or in complex mixtures, which makes their extraction from plants difficult. If we are to improve the production of these compounds in plants or produce these compounds in other organisms (where they can be more easily extracted), we need to understand in detail how plants produce them. In this project we aim to discover the complex molecular machines (also called enzymes) that are in charge of the production of alkaloids in two plant species: lupins and tobacco. The outcome of this project will enable the cost-effective production of alkaloids in plants and in other organisms.
