Peter Bollen

Peter Bollen is Professor and head of the Department of Experimental Medicine at the University of Copenhagen and Rigshospitalet, serving as the central animal facility responsible for animal-based research, surgical skills training, laboratory animal science education, and veterinary support. He holds board positions at the National Committee for Laboratory Animals and Alternatives and the Danish 3R Center, and acts as an ad-hoc consultant for AAALAC International.

His research centers on advancing laboratory animal science through rigorous application of 3R principles, with specific focus on pain behavior assessment in rodents, anesthesia protocol optimization, surgical technique refinement, and development of alternative methodologies. This work directly addresses critical gaps in animal welfare while enhancing scientific validity of preclinical studies.

Recent publications (2022-2025) reveal a multidisciplinary trajectory spanning biomedical engineering innovations like wireless capsule endoscopy and implanted transmitters, alongside foundational studies in rodent anesthesia and pain modeling. Key trends include cross-pollination between veterinary medicine, engineering, and behavioral neuroscience to develop more humane and precise experimental approaches.

As department head, Bollen oversees extensive educational programs including surgical skills courses and laboratory animal science certification, while managing institutional resources for animal procurement, husbandry, and veterinary care across multiple research projects.

The Department of Experimental Medicine operates as an integrated hub supporting researchers through comprehensive animal facility services, with dedicated teams focused on veterinary medicine, surgical support, and 3R implementation across the University of Copenhagen and Rigshospitalet research ecosystems.