Michael Gajhede

Michael Gajhede is a Professor of Protein Crystallography in the Department of Drug Design and Pharmacology at the University of Copenhagen's Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences. With over three decades of academic experience, his career spans from early appointments in the Department of Chemistry to his current position focusing on structural biology and drug design.

Dr. Gajhede received his M.Sc. (Cand.scient.) in Chemistry from the University of Copenhagen in 1982 and completed his Ph.D. (Lic.scient.) there in 1986. His research expertise centers on protein crystallography, structural biology, and their applications in medicinal chemistry, particularly in understanding protein-protein interactions and developing novel therapeutic approaches.

His recent publications (2023-2025) demonstrate a strong focus on structural approaches to drug discovery, with particular emphasis on protein-protein interaction targets including Keap1-Nrf2 pathway, cannabinoid receptors, and kainate receptors. His work bridges structural biology with practical medicinal chemistry applications, often resulting in novel compounds with therapeutic potential in inflammation, cancer, and neurological disorders.

Throughout his career, Gajhede has held significant leadership positions including Chairman of DANSCATT (2008), Chairman of DANSYNC (2004-2007), and various roles in university governance and scientific infrastructure development in Denmark.

As an active member of the scientific community, he serves as a referee for international journals in X-ray crystallography, evaluates academic appointments in Denmark, and reviews grant applications for multiple national science foundations across Europe and the United States.