Lone Brøndsted

Lone Brøndsted is a Professor in Phage Biology and Biocontrol at the Department of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences. He has held this position since 2017, following 16 years as an Associate Professor at the same institution. His research focuses on bacteriophage biology and its application in food safety and combating pathogenic bacteria.

Dr. Brøndsted's educational background includes:

• Ph.D. in Microbiology from the Technical University of Denmark (1994)
• M.Sc. in Chemical Engineering from the Technical University of Denmark (1991)
• Master in Public Governance from Copenhagen Business School (2014-2017)
• Additional training in research management and leadership

His research interests center on bacteriophage biology, particularly in the context of biocontrol and food safety. Dr. Brøndsted studies phages infecting pathogenic bacteria associated with food production, including Salmonella, E. coli, and antibiotic-resistant ESBL strains. Since 2013, he has led the internationally recognized PHAGEBio research group, which aims to elucidate novel molecular mechanisms of phage biology and develop biocontrol solutions for bacterial diseases in humans and animals. His work has resulted in the creation of large collections of phages and their hosts, revealing new insights into phage-host interactions and phage-based antimicrobials.

Recent research publications demonstrate a strong focus on applying phage biology to address food safety concerns and antimicrobial resistance. His work spans molecular characterization of phage-host interactions, development of novel antimicrobial strategies, and understanding the ecology of phages in various environments. Key themes include plasmid-dependent phages, phage therapy against foodborne pathogens, and the molecular mechanisms of phage recognition and infection.

Dr. Brøndsted has received recognition for his leadership in the field, serving as President-elect for the International Society of Viruses of Microbes (2023-2024). He has also held significant management positions including Head of Department and Deputy-head of Department at the University of Copenhagen.

His collaborative work extends internationally, with research activities spanning multiple continents. Dr. Brøndsted has been actively involved in numerous conferences and workshops related to food microbiology, veterinary science, and phage biology. His research group, PHAGEBio, continues to advance the understanding of phage biology and develop innovative solutions for food safety and antimicrobial resistance challenges.