Research Leaders
Professors
We investigate the genetic causes and disease mechanisms in several psychiatric disorders with the overall goal to improve diagnosis and treatment. We perform e.g. genome-wide association studies and whole exome sequencing in large case-control samples, integrating with comprehensive health data.
See also http://ipsych.au.dk
Proteins are important players whose functions are perturbed in disease processes. We investigate this using protein profiling of cancers, diseases of the eye and other organs to understand accompanying biological changes. Major goals are to find putative protein biomarkers and treatment targets.
Our research focuses on identification of genetic risk factors for externalizing childhood psychiatric disorders including ADHD and conduct disorder as well as substance use disorders. We perform large-scale genome-wide analyses of millions of genetic variants from many thousand individuals generated by SNP-array genotyping and next-generation sequencing.
Frederic Gachon
Most aspects of our physiology are regulated by our circadian clock, including when we eat and sleep. However, modern lifestyles disrupt this clock and are associated with metabolic and mental health issues. Our research aims at deciphering this relationship to design new therapeutic strategies.
We investigate viral delivery tools for development of genetic therapies based on gene addition and CRISPR-based genome editing in blood and liver. Our studies also involve genome-wide CRISPR screens for studies of disease and treatment. By understanding viruses, we seek to push the boundaries for using viruses as carriers of genes and proteins.
See also www.giehmlab.dk
Our team is devoted to reproduction and embryo development. We use several single cell techniques, including laser-microdissection, qPCR analysis in vitroin vivo systems to gain insights into the regulation of these early cell transitions, using a combination of mouse and human model cells.
We study inherited and somatic genetics/epigenetics using large scale and single cell sequencing in Aarhus and China. Our focus is on chronic degenerative diseases/organ failure and regenerative medicine based on gene editing, stem cell biology and experimental animal models (salamanders and pigs).
We investigate pharmacological treatment during pregnancy and lactation. The projects are based on multidisciplinary, international collaborations within biomedicine, clinical medicine and epidemiology. We examine specific drugs, and develop an information system covering all medications.
As professor of Clinical Pharmacology, I strive to connect the gap between medical practice and laboratory science by exploring the science of drugs in humans and their optimal clinical use in patients. A current focus is the biodistribution and mechanisms of action of antidiabetic medicine.
Our research goal is to gain insight into fundamental molecular mechanisms in the human eye and at the same time improve treatment of vision-threatening diseases. By bonding expertise in gene-based medicine and vehicle design we aim at developing novel gene therapy for safe and individualized treatment of retinal diseases.
The research group strives to understand, invent and improve drugs, so we will get better medicines for tomorrow for the treatment of cardiovascular disease. To achieve this goal we use a broad range of methods ranging from molecular studies, cell cultures, animal studies to clinical studies in man.
We focus on developing CRISPR-based genome and epigenome technologies for regenerative medicine. Two main areas are drugable gene screening and generating GM pigs for organ transplantation. We also apply single cell sequencing to reveal the pathological mechanisms of degenerative diseases.
Associate Professors
Life style affects our health and response to medical treatment. During intra-uterine life, environmental factors affect placenta and fetus, causing functional changes with long-term consequences. Our group focuses on obesity and pharmacological exposures and their effect on pre- and postnatal human health with emphasis on placenta and brain.
The research focus of the ALN-group is mechanistic and descriptive studies of gene-regulation and epigenetics for improved disease treatment and diagnosis. Scientific questions are addressed at single gene level, genome-wide, and population-wide, using cell lines, animal models, and patient samples.
Stem cells offer great promise for regenerative medicine. We study the mechanisms that enable mesenchymal and muscle stem cells to regenerate tissues, and how their dysfunction contributes to aging and disease. Our goal is to develop stem cell therapies to improve tissue repair in aging and disease.
Our research revolves around OPRA (Oncology Precision Medicine Project Aarhus), which is a screening programme for patients with metastatic cancer aiming at guiding treatment based on individual tumor genetics. The programme is conducted in collaboration with the Oncology and Molecular Medicine departments at Aarhus University Hospital.
We work in the field of gravitational biology, cancer research and pharmacology. Our key interests are: Translational Medicine, Microgravity and Cancer Therapy– Drug targeting: Identification and validation of new molecular mechanisms and drugs in human cells.
Research focus on individualized use of drugs, drug utilization, drug safety and the rational use of drugs in fragile individuals e.g. the elderly, the multi morbid patient in polypharmacy treatment, pregnant women, the use of drugs in patients with rare diseases and drug treatment in psychiatric patients.
We use and develop bioinformatics and statistical tools to dissect the genetic architecture of complex psychiatric disorders. Autism spectrum disorder is a particular focus area for us. We study both common and rare variants, GxE interactions, and look for novel utilizations of polygenic predictors.
We aim to identify and understand the function of genes associated with brain diseases. Our special focus is psychiatric disorders and bedwetting. We analyze human genetic data and develop animal and cell culture models to study behavior, neurons, transcript profiles and protein complexes.
The laboratory develops vectors for delivery of genes - including microRNAs or genome engineering tools - to cells or tissue in animal models including skin, muscle, liver, and eye. Currently, we focus on improving the safety of RNAi for therapeutic use by exploring Dicer-independent systems.
We investigate the interplay between genetics, epigenetics and non-coding RNAs in the development and progression of cancer. In particular we explore the functional roles and clinical potential of circular RNAs, which carry out completely different functions in our cells relative to their linear cognates.
See also biomed.au.dk/kristensen-lab
We focus on high-throughput and high-resolution multi-OMICS analyses to understand functions underlying human diseases. We perform single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq), scATAC-seq, scTCR/BCR-seq, spatially resolved RNA sequencing and CRISPR-based genetic screening, to identify and validate genes and cells associated with disease pathogenesis.
Our projects cover all the aspects of biomarker development from discovery of DNA methylation changes carrying clinically relevant information through validation of the power of the biomarker candidate to evaluating its clinical applicability. We have invented and patented MS-HRM for diagnostic use.
We examine pathophysiological mechanisms, identify pharmacological target tissues, provide pharmacokinetic information and evaluate treatment response in vivo with nuclear medicine techniques. We have a special focus on visualizing growth factor receptors in cancer to improve targeted treatments.
The research group strives to understand, invent and improve drugs, so we will get better medicines for tomorrow for the treatment of cardiovascular disease. To achieve this goal we use a broad range of methods ranging from molecular studies, cell cultures, animal studies to clinical studies in man.
Our research aims to identify endophenotype-associated bio-signatures for precision psychiatry. Particularly, we utilize a longitudinal deep phenotyping approach that combines polygenic predictors with behavioral testing, psychometry, brain imaging and multi-OMICs profiling in the general population.
We develop CRISPR/Cas methods to make manipulations to the human genome. We use these tools to correct disease-causing genetic mutations, and we work on applying these tools to genetically optimize immune cells to enhance their disease-fighting capabilities.
See also baklab.au.dk/
We focus on mechanisms of deregulated expression of tissue specific genes in Hodgkin lymphoma and cutaneous T cell lymphomas to gain insight into cellular development and differentiation in general, and into malignant transformation and potential therapeutic targets in particular.
We study pharmacokinetics, effects and adverse reactions of hormones in animals, healthy subjects and patients to optimize treatment of endocrine disorders. Further, we study drug safety in patients receiving polypharmacy (interactions, side effects) and in treatment of children (often off-label).
