Macrophages are found in all human tissues, where they serve critical roles in both health and disease. Tissue-resident macrophages (TRMs), as these cells are now known, are in many instances established early in development and are maintained locally by tissue-specific signals, either via local proliferation or replacement by long-lived monocyte-derived cells. TRMs are essential for maintaining homeostasis and tissue function. Alongside short-lived monocyte-derived macrophages that infiltrate inflamed tissues during infections or injuries, they form a crucial cell subset responsible for preserving tissue integrity and functionality. 

However, despite their protective roles, substantial clinical and experimental evidence has demonstrated that macrophages also significant contribution to the progression of various serious diseases, including cancer, cardiometabolic disorders, inflammatory conditions, and neurodegenerative diseases. While macrophage heterogeneity has been acknowledged for decades, it was historically understood in terms of polarization into pro- or anti-inflammatory states. Recent insights, however, has revealed that TRMs and monocyte-derived macrophages are functionally and phenotypically distinct. 

The overall aim of the macrophage biology lab is to contribute to the increased understanding of macrophage functional heterogeneity in human health and disease using state-of-the-art techniques. This includes single cell multiomic technologies such single cell transcriptomics, spectral flow cytometry and spectral imaging microscopy. Additionally, the lab has a large focus on developing novel innovative tools for targeting and modulating macrophage function which may potentially translate into development of new therapeutic macrophage targets.   

Therefore, the lab is actively engaged in the Infection and Inflammation network and The Cancer Network at Aarhus University, Department of Biomedicine. Furthermore, the lab has connections to and collaborators at Aarhus University Hospital, among others through The Inflammation Network and The Translational Cancer Network.