Mika Zagrobelny

Mika Zagrobelny is an Associate Professor at the Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine within the Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences at the University of Copenhagen. Based at Blegdamsvej 3 in Copenhagen, they lead research in the Molecular Aging Program with a focus on chemical ecology and molecular evolution.

Research interests center on chemical defense mechanisms in insects, particularly cyanogenesis in Lepidoptera. Key areas include the biosynthesis and sequestration of $$\text{cyanogenic glucosides}$$, plant-insect coevolution, aposematism, and the ecological significance of chemical defenses across insect life cycles. Their work bridges molecular biology, ecology, and evolutionary theory.

Analysis of recent publications reveals consistent focus on cyanogenic compounds in butterflies and moths, with particular attention to Zygaenidae and Heliconiinae. The research integrates biochemical, ecological, and evolutionary approaches to understand how chemical defenses shape insect behavior, physiology, and speciation. Recent work has expanded to include pollinator-plant chemical interactions.

Zagrobelny has organized numerous educational activities including high school workshops on PCR technology and plant biotechnology, demonstrating commitment to science outreach. Their research output shows strong international collaboration, particularly with researchers studying $$\text{cyanide}$$-based defense systems.

Based on the Molecular Aging Program affiliation and cellular/molecular medicine department context, their work likely connects chemical ecology to broader biomedical questions regarding aging and cellular defense mechanisms, though explicit connections are not detailed in the available publications.