Vilhelm Bohr is an Affiliate Professor at the Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine , University of Copenhagen, affiliated with the Molecular Aging Program and Center for Healthy Aging . His research explores the interplay between DNA maintenance , mitochondrial biology , and aging , particularly in age-associated neurodegeneration and Alzheimer’s disease. Research Interests include: Molecular mechanisms linking NAD + metabolism to mitochondrial dysfunction and neurodegeneration Role of tau pathology in DNA damage and mitochondrial stress Impact of Aprataxin (APTX) and RECQL4 helicase defects on mitochondrial DNA integrity Pharmacological strategies to improve mitochondrial health via autophagy modulation Publications (2025-2024) span topics like NAD + biosynthesis, Werner/Rothmund-Thomson syndromes, tau nuclear functions, and mitochondrial turnover, with high citations and media attention. Collaborations extend to clinical tumor samples and CRISPR-based disease models.
Kumar Somyajit is Associate Professor at the University of Southern Denmark's Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology. He leads research on DNA replication and genome surveillance mechanisms using mammalian cell models. Research focuses on: Metabolic regulation of DNA replication Replisome plasticity under stress Homology-directed repair mechanisms Chromatin dynamics in cancer Recipient of Lundbeck Foundation Fellowship (2021). Current projects investigate metabolic coupling to genome surveillance in cancer and development. Supervises PhD students in DNA repair and replication studies.
Ole Nørregaard Jensen is a Professor in Biomedical Mass Spectrometry and Systems Biology at the Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Southern Denmark . His research integrates advanced mass spectrometry, proteomics, and bioinformatics to study chromatin biology, post-translational modifications, and cellular signaling networks. He is actively involved in major research initiatives funded by Novo Nordisk Foundation and Lundbeck Foundation. His research interests include Mass Spectrometry, Proteomics, Posttranslational Modification, Histone Biology, Chromatin Biology, Bioinformatics, Systems Biology, Lipidomics, and Protein Chemistry . He employs cutting-edge techniques such as tandem mass spectrometry and ion mobility spectrometry to analyze protein isomers and dynamic modifications. His work has significant implications for understanding gene regulation, DNA replication, and disease mechanisms. His recent publications demonstrate a strong trend in chromatin dynamics, epigenetics, and integrated omics approaches , combining proteomics with transcriptomics and lipidomics to unravel complex biological systems. His research spans from fundamental molecular mechanisms to translational applications in biomedicine and food science. He has been recognized with several prestigious awards: MCP Lectureship Award Juan Pablo Albar Proteomics Pioneer Award 2019 EliteForsk 2009 prize Knight Order of Dannebrog (Ridder af Dannebrogordenen) Jensen is deeply involved in academic service, including peer review for journals like Nature Communications and Molecular and Cellular Proteomics , organizing conferences, and supervising students. He teaches courses such as Biomedical Mass Spectrometry - Principles and Applications and coordinates the Computational Biomedicine international Master’s program. He leads multiple active research projects, including PLATO and INTEGRA, focusing on health data, imaging, and protein networks. He is a key member of a vibrant research environment in biomedical mass spectrometry at SDU, contributing to both national and international scientific collaborations. His lab is at the forefront of developing and applying novel mass spectrometry methodologies for systems biology.
Thomas Miller is an Associate Professor in the Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine at the University of Copenhagen, working within the Molecular Aging Program. His research focuses on understanding the molecular mechanisms that maintain eukaryotic genome stability during DNA replication using genetic, biochemical, cellular, and structural techniques, including cryo-EM. Dr. Miller's primary research interests include: Molecular mechanisms of faithful genome replication How failures in genome stability maintenance cause developmental disorders and age-related diseases The role of replisomes and accessory factors in regulating chromosome replication His current research projects specifically investigate: The mechanisms and regulation of MCM helicase loading Replication-coupled DNA-protein crosslink (DPC) repair Accessory helicases in DNA replication Electron microscopy methods development through 'Reconstitution in silico' (RECONSIL) Dr. Miller's publication record demonstrates expertise across structural biology, molecular mechanisms of DNA replication, and cryo-EM techniques. His recent work spans from fundamental studies of replisome structure and function to developing new methodologies for studying DNA replication processes. His research has significant implications for understanding developmental disorders and age-related diseases including neurodegeneration and cancer. Dr. Miller is the founder of TCRM Consulting, indicating industry engagement alongside his academic work.
Professor Ian David Hickson is a distinguished academic serving as Professor of Molecular Aging, Head of the Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, and Theme Leader in the Center for Healthy Aging at the University of Copenhagen's Faculty of Health Sciences. He also directs the DNRF Center for Chromosome Stability, a major research center funded by a 65,000,000 DKK grant from the Danish National Research Foundation. Hickson's research focuses on understanding chromosomal instability and its impact on human disease, particularly cancer, neurodegeneration, and infertility. His laboratory pioneered the discovery of ultra-fine anaphase bridges (UFBs) and identified MiDAS (Mitotic DNA Synthesis), a process that completes DNA replication at difficult-to-replicate regions. His work combines protein biochemistry, molecular/cell biology, high-resolution imaging, and single-molecule biophysical techniques to study DNA metabolism and chromosome dynamics. The most recent publications demonstrate continued leadership in chromosome biology, with research spanning DNA topology, replication stress, chromosome mechanics, and the connection between DNA repair defects and cancer immunotherapy resistance. His work shows consistent focus on fundamental mechanisms of genome maintenance with clear implications for human disease. Fellow of the Royal Society (2010) Fellow of the Academy of Medical Sciences (UK) (2010) Member of EMBO (2011) ERC Advanced Grant recipient (2012) FEBS National Lecturer Award (2013) Professor Hickson has supervised over 40 PhD students who have gone on to prominent positions worldwide, including professors at major universities, group leaders at research institutes, and scientific officers in biotech companies. His laboratory has established international collaborations across Europe, the US, and Asia, particularly with Zhejiang University in China where he holds a Qiushi Guest Professorship. He actively participates in organizing major international conferences on DNA replication and chromosome stability.
Thomas J.D. Jørgensen is an Associate Professor at the Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Southern Denmark. His work focuses on Biomedical Mass Spectrometry and Systems Biology, with a particular emphasis on protein dynamics, lipoprotein metabolism, and structural characterization. Current research involves lipoprotein lipase regulation (ANGPTL3/8, APOC2) and GPIHBP1-heparan sulfate interactions Expertise in Hydrogen/Deuterium Exchange Mass Spectrometry and glycopeptide analysis Scientific Leadership: Active in Ph.D. evaluation committees (Swedish Research Council, 2015; multiple international roles) and peer review activities. Funding Involvement: Participates in major projects including Leducq Foundation grants for triglyceride metabolism research, Novo Nordisk Foundation ONE IDP initiatives, and collaborations with GlyProVac ApS. Research Trends: Publications show strong focus on structural dynamics of lipid metabolism proteins (47% of 2023-2025 work), glycopeptide characterization (100% in 2023), and allosteric regulation mechanisms (100% in DNA repair proteins). Collaborations: International partnerships in cardiovascular biology, Parkinson's disease (Michael J. Fox Foundation), and biopharmaceutical safety. Media coverage includes breakthroughs in lipoprotein structure (2014) and Parkinson's research (2014).
Andres Lopez-Contreras serves as an Adjunct Associate Professor in the Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine at the University of Copenhagen, affiliated with the Molecular Aging Program and Center for Healthy Aging. His research focuses on DNA damage/repair mechanisms, replication stress, and mouse models for cancer and aging. Primary Projects Funded by "Sapere Aude – DFF Starting Grant" on replication stress in aging KVB Project from Danish Cancer Society targeting BRCA1 ubiquitin ligase activity European Research Council (ERC-2015-StG) grant for chromosomal fragile site research Research Network : Collaborates with institutions in Spain (CNIO), USA (NIH), and Denmark (CPR, CEHA). Participants in his group include PhD students Eliene Albers and David Pladevall Morera. Publication Trends : Recent work examines topoisomerase mutations (2025), fragile site instability (2025), ZGRF1 helicase role in fertility (2025), and PICH helicase in lymphoma progression (2024). Labs/Teams Based at Panum Institute, Copenhagen (Blegdamsvej 3) Collaborates with proteomics (Jesper V. Olsen) and mitochondrial genomics (Lene J. Rasmussen) labs
Jakob Møller-Jensen is an Associate Professor and Head of Department at the Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Southern Denmark. With a PhD in his field, he maintains an active research program with 67 publications to date and leads departmental operations. His research focuses on molecular microbiology with emphasis on host-pathogen interactions and pathogenic bacteria. His work primarily investigates Escherichia coli and uropathogenic strains, examining their behavior in urinary tract infections, plasmid dynamics, and bacterial morphology changes during infection processes. His research fingerprint shows strong expertise in Escherichia coli (100%), Uropathogenic Escherichia Coli (95%), Urinary Tract infections (43%), Plasmid biology (43%), RNA mechanisms (31%), Fimbria (31%), Gene Expression (29%), and Caenorhabditis Elegans models (27%). Analysis of his recent publications reveals a consistent focus on bacterial pathogenesis mechanisms, particularly how E. coli adapts to host environments, with special attention to urinary tract infections, bacterial morphology changes, and antibiotic resistance mechanisms. His work bridges fundamental molecular microbiology with clinical implications for infection treatment. Dr. Møller-Jensen has been involved in teaching Chemistry, Biology and Molecular Biology courses from 2009-2019, and has participated in numerous academic activities including conferences, workshops, and seminars. His collaborative network spans multiple countries and research institutions. His current research projects include significant funding from Lundbeckfonden on cellular senescence in cancer (2024-2029), NANOCHEM for ultrahigh resolution chemical characterization (2022-2028), metabolic regulation of mammalian DNA replication (2021-2026), and gut bacteria as biomarkers for colorectal cancer (2023-2025).
David Lopez Martinez is a Researcher in the Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine at the University of Copenhagen's Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences. He works within the Transcription, RNA, and Gene Medicine Program as part of the Svejstrup Group, focusing on molecular mechanisms of transcription and its interface with DNA-related processes. His research spans RNA biology, transcription mechanisms, and DNA repair pathways. Key areas include RNA polymerase II function, transcription termination, DNA damage response pathways, and the Fanconi anemia pathway. His work bridges fundamental molecular processes with potential implications for human health and disease. Dr. Martinez has published significant papers in high-impact journals including Molecular Cell, Journal of Molecular Biology, and Cell Reports. His recent publications (2023-2025) demonstrate expertise in RNA Polymerase II termination mechanisms, PAF1C-mediated kinase activation, and regulation of DNA repair complexes. He maintains active collaborations across multiple institutions, contributing to our understanding of essential cellular processes. His research has garnered attention in the scientific community with multiple citations and downloads of his publications.
Rui Cui is a Guest Researcher at the University of Copenhagen's Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, and Molecular Aging Program, based in Copenhagen, Denmark. Contactable via phone (+4535324771) and email (cuirui@sund.ku.dk), Cui investigates chromosomal instability mechanisms and their impact on human diseases including cancer, neurodegeneration, and infertility. Research centers on genome maintenance pathways, with emphasis on common fragile sites as models for difficult-to-replicate genomic regions and the characterization of ultra-fine anaphase bridges (UFBs)—DNA structures connecting sister chromatids during mitosis. UFBs are coated with proteins like PICH and BLM helicase (mutated in Bloom's syndrome), studied through protein biochemistry, molecular/cell biology, high-resolution imaging, and microfluidics-based single-molecule techniques for in vitro DNA metabolism reconstitution. Recent work trends show a focus on mitotic regulation, exemplified by the 2025 EMBO Journal article on anaphase bridge signaling to the abscission checkpoint, revealing how UFBs influence cell division fidelity and disease pathogenesis. This aligns with broader efforts to link defective genome maintenance to cancer predisposition. Cui operates within the Hickson Group, a research team dedicated to understanding disease-causing mutations in genome maintenance genes. Collaborative efforts span country-level networks in molecular aging research, leveraging advanced biophysical tools to dissect DNA metabolism pathways.
Barbara Guerra is an Associate Professor in the Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology at the University of Southern Denmark, Faculty of Science. She leads the Barbara Guerra Lab, which is part of the Translational Biology research section, focusing on the role of protein kinases in human disease, particularly cancer. She also serves as Head of the PhD School at the Faculty of Science since 2020, demonstrating strong leadership in academic training and research supervision. Her research expertise lies in protein kinase CK2, a key regulator of cell survival, growth, and differentiation. Her laboratory investigates CK2-mediated signaling pathways in cancer, DNA damage response, lipid metabolism, and cell cycle regulation. She has contributed extensively to understanding CK2's role in oncogenesis and its potential as a therapeutic target. Her recent publications reveal a consistent focus on CK2 in cancer metabolism, hypoxia signaling (e.g., HIF-1α), autophagy, and the development of kinase inhibitors. Themes include pharmacological targeting of CK2, regulation of metabolic enzymes like SCD-1, and modulation of tumor suppressors such as p27KIP1. She frequently collaborates on interdisciplinary studies involving drug delivery systems and natural product-based inhibitors. Barbara Guerra has received recognition for her teaching excellence, including a Faculty of Natural Science teaching prize in 2006. She serves on the editorial boards of Oncology Reports and Pharmaceuticals , contributing to scientific peer review and dissemination. She has supervised over 100 undergraduate, Master’s, and PhD students, as well as six postdoctoral researchers, indicating a strong commitment to mentoring the next generation of scientists. Her research is supported by numerous projects and she plays a central role in PhD education at the university level. Her lab is actively involved in translational research, bridging basic molecular mechanisms with potential clinical applications in oncology and metabolic disorders.
Kaima Tsukada serves as a Postdoctoral Researcher in the Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine within the Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences at the University of Copenhagen. She holds dual appointments as a Guest Researcher in the Ochs Group and participates in the Molecular Aging Program. Her work focuses on DNA repair mechanisms and genome stability maintenance. Her research interests center on molecular mechanisms of DNA repair, particularly involving Bloom syndrome complex functions, replication fork dynamics, and double-strand break resolution. Key areas include Okazaki fragment processing, Holliday junction dissolution, and RPA-coated DNA sensing pathways. Her work bridges structural biology, cancer genetics, and cellular response to replication stress. Recent publications demonstrate significant contributions to understanding BLM helicase functions and BRCA1-BARD1 coordination in DNA repair. Her 2021 Nature Communications paper has garnered 55 citations and 120 Mendeley readers, while her 2022 PNAS article on Bloom syndrome complex assembly shows substantial academic impact with 15 citations and 45 readers. Dr. Tsukada maintains active collaborations across international research networks, with significant co-authorship ties to institutions in the United Kingdom and Australia. Her laboratory work occurs at dual campus locations: Blegdamsvej 3 and Ole Maaløes Vej 5 in Copenhagen, utilizing advanced molecular biology facilities within the BRIC (Biotech Research & Innovation Centre) and Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine infrastructure.
Vignesh Ramesh is a Research Assistant in Translational Biology at the Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology , University of Southern Denmark. His research focuses on metabolic pathways in cancer biology, particularly non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) and triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC), with an emphasis on Epithelial-Mesenchymal Transition (EMT) and CRISPR/Cas9 applications. He has contributed to 15+ peer-reviewed publications and media-featured studies on metabolic inhibitors for cancer therapy.
Sara Charlotte Buch-Larsen serves as an Assistant Professor at the Novo Nordisk Foundation Center for Protein Research within the Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences at the University of Copenhagen. She conducts her research in the Nielsen Group under Professor Michael L. Nielsen, focusing on advanced proteomics and protein modification analysis. Her research program centers on protein post-translational modifications, with particular expertise in: ADP-ribosylation dynamics in DNA damage response Citrullination and PADI4 enzyme substrates Development of mass spectrometry methodologies for site-specific protein modification mapping Protein signaling networks in cellular stress responses Mechanisms of DNA repair pathways Dr. Buch-Larsen's recent publications demonstrate methodological innovation combined with biological insight, particularly in mapping serine ADP-ribosylation across different cellular contexts. Her 2024 work revealed consistent DNA-damage-induced serine ADP-ribosylation patterns in both wild-type and BRCA-mutant breast cancer cells, while her citrullinome atlas provides unprecedented detail on this modification relevant to autoimmune diseases. She frequently employs cross-species approaches, as evidenced by her Drosophila research on the evolution of ADP-ribosylation signaling. Her collaborative network spans multiple countries and disciplines, reflecting the interdisciplinary nature of modern proteomics research. The significant citation counts and attention metrics (including Mendeley readership and social media mentions) indicate substantial impact within her field.
Associate Professor Rune Busk Damgaard (PhD, University of Copenhagen) is affiliated with the Department of Biotechnology and Biomedicine at the Technical University of Denmark (DTU) , leading the Ubiquitin Signalling and Inflammation research group. His work bridges ubiquitin biology , cell signaling , and inflammatory disease , with a focus on innate immunity , cancer , and metabolic regulation . PhD, Center for Protein Research, University of Copenhagen (2011–2013) MSc and BSc in Molecular Biomedicine, University of Copenhagen Research Interests Ubiquitin signaling in inflammation and innate immunity Post-translational modification of proteins AMPK regulation under metabolic stress Aggrephagy and protein homeostasis in neurodegeneration Role of ubiquitin in inflammatory diseases and cancer Publication Trends (15 most recent): His articles explore ubiquitin linkage specificity , linear ubiquitin in immune signaling , AMPK metabolic pathways , and protein aggregate degradation . Collaborations span Cambridge , Oxford , and DTU , with applications in neurodegenerative diseases , cancer , and inflammatory disorders . Advising & Collaborative Networks Main supervisor for 5 PhD projects on ubiquitin signaling and metabolic regulation Peer reviewer for Cell Death and Differentiation , Biochemical Journal , and EMBO Journal Collaborations with institutions in UK , Germany , and Denmark
