Tor Henrik Semb

Tor Henrik Semb serves as a Guest Researcher at the Human Stem Cell Biology Laboratory within the Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences at the University of Copenhagen. His research program focuses on elucidating fundamental mechanisms in morphogenesis and how tissue architecture controls cell lineage commitment using integrated in vivo and in vitro genetic and cell biological approaches.

Research Focus: Dr. Semb's work centers on pancreas organogenesis in mouse models and human pluripotent stem cell applications for studying pancreatic beta cell development and dysfunction. His laboratory investigates how mechanical forces and spatial organization influence cell fate decisions during development, with direct implications for type 1 diabetes therapy. Key research areas include morphogenesis, tissue architecture, cell lineage commitment, and stem cell differentiation pathways.

Recent Work Trends: His most recent publications (2023-2025) demonstrate a growing emphasis on mechanobiology in pancreatic development, with studies revealing how mechanical forces transduced through salt-inducible kinases influence endocrine lineage specification. His work bridges basic developmental biology with translational applications, particularly in understanding diabetes pathogenesis using patient-specific cells.

Research Impact: Dr. Semb's work has garnered significant attention across multiple platforms, with publications being highlighted by news outlets, academic blogs, and social media. His 2018 Nature paper on mechanosignalling has received substantial citations, indicating significant impact in the field of developmental biology and diabetes research.

Laboratory: The Semb Laboratory (http://danstem.ku.dk/research1/semb_laboratory/) employs a multidisciplinary approach combining mouse genetics, stem cell differentiation, advanced imaging techniques, and computational analysis to unravel the complexities of pancreas development and beta cell function.