Lotte Bang Pedersen

Lotte Bang Pedersen is a Professor of Cell Biology in the Department of Biology at the University of Copenhagen, where she has been faculty since 2005. She currently serves as Co-head of the Cilia group and has held various administrative roles including Chairman of the Study Council for Biological Sciences. Her research focuses on primary cilia and their role in cellular signaling and human disease.

Education:

• PhD in Medical Microbiology, University of Aarhus (1996)
• MSc in Chemistry-Biotechnology, University of Aarhus (1994)

Professor Pedersen's research investigates the molecular mechanisms of primary cilia assembly, maintenance, and function. Her work spans multiple areas including ciliary protein transport, signaling pathways (particularly TGFB/BMP), and the molecular basis of ciliopathies. She employs mammalian cell cultures as model systems to study how primary cilia coordinate diverse signaling pathways during development and tissue homeostasis. Her research has significant implications for understanding kidney diseases, developmental disorders, and other conditions linked to ciliary dysfunction.

Analysis of her recent publications reveals a strong focus on the relationship between kinesin motors (particularly KIF13B), ciliary protein composition, and signaling. Her work connects ciliary biology with various disease mechanisms, particularly polycystic kidney disease and other ciliopathies. The interdisciplinary nature of her research combines cell biology, molecular genetics, proteomics, and live-cell imaging approaches to unravel the complex functions of primary cilia.

Professor Pedersen has received substantial research funding including multiple Horizon Europe grants, Carlsberg Foundation support, and Novo Nordisk Foundation funding. She serves as Guest Editor for the Journal of Cell Science Special Issue on cilia and is a Reviewing Editor at eLife. Her international collaborations span more than 11 countries, reflecting the global significance of her research in cilia biology.

As Co-head of the Cilia group at the University of Copenhagen, she leads a research team investigating fundamental aspects of ciliary biology. Her group's work has established important connections between ciliary structure, protein trafficking mechanisms, and human disease pathways, contributing significantly to the field of cilia research.