Thomas Emil Andersen

Thomas Emil Andersen is a Professor at the Department of Clinical Microbiology, Odense University Hospital (OUH), and the Research Unit of Clinical Microbiology, Department of Clinical Research, University of Southern Denmark (SDU). He leads the Andersen Lab, which specializes in translating clinical and experimental research into novel treatment regimens, diagnostic assays, and medical devices through collaborations with hospital departments and industry partners.

Education:

• PhD in Clinical Microbiology, University of Southern Denmark (2010)
• Industrial PhD, University of Southern Denmark (2010)
• MSc in Molecular Biology, University of Southern Denmark (2005)
• Completed 'Leading the Virtual Company' at Harvard Business School (2015)
• Completed University of Southern Denmark Lecturer Program (2015)

His research focuses on hospital-associated infections, particularly urinary tract infections caused by uropathogenic Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus bloodstream infections. He has developed innovative in vitro human cell–bacteria co-culture models and in vivo animal infection models (pig, mouse, sheep) that form the core of his research platform. In 2020, he co-established the region’s only BSL-3 virus culturing laboratory, which has been instrumental in monitoring COVID-19 vaccine effectiveness and developing antiviral therapies.

His recent publications reveal a strong trend in interdisciplinary translational research, combining microbiology, biomedical engineering, and clinical medicine. Key themes include bacterial pathogenesis, biofilm formation, antimicrobial resistance, medical device innovation (e.g., catheters, vascular grafts), and rapid diagnostic technologies such as Raman spectroscopy and impedance sensing. His work frequently involves porcine models for urinary tract and device-associated infections.

Scientific Contributions and Grants:

• Lead researcher in multiple EU and nationally funded projects, including TELEGRAFT (EU-funded telemonitoring of dialysis grafts), MbSens (EU/Innovation Fund Denmark-funded wound infection sensor), and UTOPIA (EU-funded UTI vaccine development).
• Principal investigator in projects on SARS-CoV-2 contagion risk, vaccine efficacy in immunocompromised patients, and novel treatments for Clostridium difficile infection.
• Former industrial experience as Project Coordinator at NKT Research & Innovation A/S (2005–2009).

He actively supervises PhD students and postdoctoral researchers. His lab has produced over 110 publications, with recent work appearing in high-impact journals such as The Journal of Infectious Diseases, PLoS Pathogens, and Sensors. His collaborative network includes clinical departments, industry partners, and international research consortia.

Laboratory and Research Groups:

• Andersen Lab, focusing on host-pathogen interactions, biofilm research, and translational microbiology.
• Co-leader of the BSL-3 virus culturing facility at Winsløwparken, Odense.
• Member of interdisciplinary teams developing Raman-based diagnostic tools (BacSens, MbSens projects).