Fei Gao

Fei Gao is an Associate Professor in the Department of Veterinary and Animal Sciences at the University of Copenhagen, specializing in Preclinical Disease Biology. His research focuses on epigenetic regulation in mammalian development and diseases, with particular emphasis on how early life diet and microbiota influence organ function through epigenetic mechanisms using specialized pig models.

Dr. Gao's primary research interests span epigenetics, mammalian development, and disease mechanisms. He employs cutting-edge next-generation sequencing based multi-omics technologies (genomics, epigenomics, transcriptomics, metagenomics) and bioinformatics tools to investigate how environmental factors like nutrients, microbes, and oxygen affect mammalian development and diseases. His work particularly examines gastrointestinal, liver, brain, immune, and circulatory systems using pig models that reflect human disease in early life.

His recent publication trends show a strong focus on colorectal cancer mechanisms, inflammatory bowel disease, microbiota-gut interactions, and early life nutrition. The research spans molecular biology, translational medicine, and nutritional science, with applications in both human and veterinary medicine. Many studies employ advanced genomic and epigenomic approaches to understand disease mechanisms at the molecular level.

Dr. Gao actively supervises 4 PhD students and 1 MSc student. He has secured significant research funding through multiple grants including:

• Co-PI "Fecal microbiota transplantation to support gut colonization..." (Independent Research Fund Denmark, 5.5 mio. DKK, 2018-2021)
• PI "Talented Youth Scientist Program at CAAS" (Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, 3 mio. CNY, 2018-2021)
• Co-PI "Colostrum for Newborn Infants, NEOCOL" (Danmarks Innovationsfond, 33.7 mio. DKK, 2017-2021)
• PI "Agricultural Science and Technology Innovation Program ASTIP" (Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, 15 mio. CNY, 2015-2025)
• Co-PI "Bioactive milk to stimulate gut immune defense..." (Arla Foods for Health, 10.2 mio. DKK, 2016-2019)
• Co-PI "Early milk and microbiota to stimulate later immunity, NEOMUNE" (Danish Council for Strategic Research, 60 mio. DKK, 2013-2018)

Dr. Gao is actively involved with the Comparative Pediatrics and Nutrition research group. His work bridges veterinary science, human medicine, and nutritional science, with a focus on translational research using pig models. He has co-founded the biotechnology company E-GENE Co., Ltd. in China and maintains active collaborations with Chinese research institutions.