Joachim Møller Christensen is a Postdoctoral Researcher at the Section for Plant Biochemistry, Department of Plant and Environmental Sciences, Faculty of Science, University of Copenhagen. His research focuses on plant biochemistry and evolutionary biology. His educational background includes a PhD in Plant and Environmental Sciences from the University of Copenhagen, completed in 2025. Christensen's research interests span plant biochemistry, enzymology, and evolutionary biology. He specializes in flavin-containing monooxygenases and their role in plant metabolism, alongside genomic and metabolomic analysis of specialized metabolic pathways. His work integrates evolutionary perspectives to decipher molecular mechanisms underlying plant chemical diversity and adaptation. His 2025 publications reveal a concentrated focus on enzyme evolution and specialized metabolism, particularly oxime biosynthesis in orchids. The research demonstrates convergent evolution through integrated multi-omics approaches, highlighting molecular innovations in plant secondary metabolism. Christensen operates within the Section for Plant Biochemistry, which investigates fundamental biochemical processes in plants with applications in biotechnology and ecological adaptation studies.
Kei Sakamoto is a Professor at the Center for Basic Metabolic Research (CBMR) within the Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences at the University of Copenhagen. His research group focuses on critical aspects of metabolic regulation, cellular signaling, and disease mechanisms related to diabetes, obesity, and cancer. Professor Sakamoto's research spans multiple areas of metabolic science with particular emphasis on AMPK signaling pathways, glycogen metabolism, and molecular mechanisms underlying metabolic diseases. His work bridges fundamental biochemical processes with clinical applications, particularly in diabetes and metabolic disorders. His laboratory investigates how cellular energy sensors regulate metabolic homeostasis and how dysregulation contributes to disease pathogenesis. The publication record reveals a strong focus on metabolic regulation, with recent work examining AMPK inhibitors, glycogen synthase function, insulin resistance mechanisms, and liver cancer metabolism. His research employs diverse methodologies including molecular biology, protein biochemistry, metabolic phenotyping, and translational approaches to understand fundamental metabolic processes and their dysregulation in disease. Professor Sakamoto leads the Sakamoto Group at CBMR, a research environment dedicated to advancing understanding of basic metabolic processes and their implications for human health. The group maintains active collaborations across multiple institutions and contributes significantly to metabolic research through high-impact publications and methodological innovations.
Thea Klarsø Schulze holds multiple research positions at the University of Copenhagen: Postdoc, PhD fellow, and Guest Researcher in the Department of Biology, specifically within the Biomolecular Sciences section of the Faculty of Science. Based in Copenhagen, Denmark, she conducts cutting-edge research at the intersection of molecular biology and genetics, focusing on protein behavior and genetic variants. Currently, she is finalizing her PhD thesis, "Understanding and predicting effects of residue substitutions on the cellular abundance of proteins" (2025), which forms the foundation of her expertise in protein biochemistry. Her doctoral work leverages advanced computational and experimental techniques to model how amino acid changes affect protein levels in cells. Her research program centers on elucidating the molecular mechanisms underlying genetic disorders through the study of protein variants. Key areas include enzyme kinetics (particularly glucokinase), deep mutational scanning, and the correlation between protein degradation pathways and cellular toxicity. This work has direct implications for understanding metabolic diseases and neurodegenerative conditions such as Canavan disease. In 2024, she co-authored two high-impact publications in Genome Biology and Nature Communications, demonstrating her ability to bridge experimental biology with computational analysis. These studies showcase innovative multiplexed assays for quantifying variant effects and large-scale investigations into the relationship between protein stability and pathogenicity. Within the Department of Biology, she collaborates closely with the research group led by Professors Lindorff-Larsen and Hartmann-Petersen, contributing to a dynamic team environment focused on biomolecular structure-function relationships and disease mechanisms.
Karen Michiko Frick serves as a Guest Researcher in the Section for Plant Biochemistry within the Department of Plant and Environmental Sciences at the University of Copenhagen's Faculty of Science. Her research focuses on plant specialized metabolism with particular emphasis on alkaloid biosynthesis in lupin species. Her primary research interests include plant biochemistry, alkaloid biosynthesis pathways, molecular plant biology, and crop genomics. Frick investigates tissue-specific metabolic processes, particularly quinolizidine alkaloid production in narrow-leafed lupin epidermis, and explores plant defense mechanisms against herbivores through jasmonate signaling pathways. Her work bridges fundamental plant metabolism with agricultural applications for crop improvement. Analysis of her publication record (2019-2025) reveals consistent focus on lupin as a model system for studying specialized metabolism. Her research integrates genomics, transcriptomics, and biochemical approaches to elucidate metabolic pathways while developing molecular tools like virus-induced gene silencing for functional validation. Key thematic trends include spatial organization of metabolism, evolutionary aspects of alkaloid pathways, and translating basic research into crop improvement strategies. Frick actively collaborates with international research groups as evidenced by multi-institutional publications. Her work appears in high-impact plant science journals including New Phytologist, Plant Journal, and Natural Product Reports, with several papers receiving significant citations and patent references.
Karen Stoltenberg Nissen is a Research Fellow in the Section for Plant Glycobiology within the Department of Plant and Environmental Sciences at the University of Copenhagen's Faculty of Science. Her work centers on the structural and functional dynamics of plant cell walls in biological processes. Her educational background includes: Ph.D. in Plant and Environmental Sciences, University of Copenhagen (2022) Dr. Nissen's research investigates how plant cell wall components serve as critical interfaces in immunity and development. She specializes in glycobiology approaches to study pectin modifications during pathogen attacks and receptor-mediated growth regulation. Her work reveals molecular mechanisms where cell wall integrity sensors like CrRLK1L coordinate defense responses and developmental programs through carbohydrate remodeling. Analysis of her publications shows consistent focus on cell wall-pathogen interplay across temporal scales: her 2016 review established foundational knowledge of receptor kinases in wall surveillance, while her 2021 Science Advances paper demonstrated direct effector-pectin binding as a virulence strategy. Both works emphasize carbohydrate structures as central players in plant-environment communication. She operates within the Plant Glycobiology section, which employs advanced analytical techniques including mass spectrometry and imaging to characterize plant polysaccharides and their biological roles.
Jakob Rahr Winther serves as a Biochemistry Professor in the Department of Biology at the University of Copenhagen, specializing in Biomolecular Sciences. His research program focuses on fundamental mechanisms of protein structure, folding, and redox regulation, with particular emphasis on disulfide bond formation and enzyme function. Professor Winther's research spans several interconnected areas of protein science: Mechanisms of protein folding and stability in cellular environments Disulfide bond formation and thiol-disulfide redox regulation Protein engineering and enzyme optimization High-throughput analysis of protein variants Structural determinants of enzyme specificity and function His recent publication record demonstrates a consistent trajectory in developing innovative methodologies for measuring cellular redox conditions and understanding protein sequence-structure-function relationships. Winther frequently employs yeast-based systems combined with biochemical and computational approaches to investigate fundamental biochemical processes, with applications ranging from basic science to potential therapeutic interventions. His work on engineered disulfide bonds for redox sensing and systematic characterization of protein variants represents significant methodological advances in the field. Professor Winther maintains active scientific engagement through conference presentations including 'Kinetic and Thermodynamic Aspects of Cellular Thiol-Disulfide Redox Regulation' (2012) and 'DNA, genteknologi og proteiner – "intelligent" design' (2009), demonstrating his commitment to knowledge dissemination across both specialist and broader audiences.
Iben Lykke Petersen is an Associate Professor in the Department of Food Science at the University of Copenhagen, specializing in Food Analytics and Biotechnology. Her research focuses on plant protein ingredients, particularly from pulses, and their nutritional quality and processing effects. With a strong background in environmental chemistry and biochemistry, she has established herself as a leading researcher in sustainable plant-based food development. Education: PhD in Environmental Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of Copenhagen (2009) MSc in Agricultural Science, The Royal Veterinary and Agricultural University, Denmark (2003) Research Interests: Dr. Petersen's primary research areas include plant protein ingredients (especially from pulses), anti-nutrients like protease inhibitors, plant protein nutritional quality (protein digestibility, amino acid composition), and the effects of processing methods such as extraction, fractionation, extrusion, cooking, and fermentation. Her work aims to develop healthy and sustainable plant-based foods through scientific understanding of protein functionality and nutritional properties. She investigates how processing techniques can enhance protein quality while reducing anti-nutritional factors in plant-based foods. Research Trends: Dr. Petersen's recent publications demonstrate a strong focus on the nutritional quality of plant proteins, particularly legumes like faba beans. Her work examines how processing techniques affect protein functionality and digestibility, with applications in developing plant-based meat alternatives and fermented products like tempeh. She also investigates consumer perceptions of plant-based foods and the use of enzyme technology to enhance plant protein functionality. Her research bridges fundamental food science with practical applications for sustainable food systems. Grants and Projects: PI on 'The flip side of protease inhibitors from pulses: legume seeds as immune system enhancers (Immune SEEDstem)', Plant2Food (2024-2027) Co-PI on 'Tasty, healthy and safe Danish pulses with added value for consumers (Dansk Bælg/Danish Pulse)' (2024-2027) PI on 'Beyond Sustainability: a holistic approach to evaluate the nutritional quality of plant protein-based foods' (BEYOND) (2022-2025) Co-PI on 'Tempeh – a solution for eating healthy and climate-friendly' (2021-2024) Co-PI on 'New Extruded Plant Protein for Future Nutritious Foods' (NekstPro) (2020-2024) Partner on 'Smart Protein for a Changing World' (SmartProtein), EU Horizon 2020 (2020-2024) Previous research linked to EU-project PROTEIN2FOOD focusing on protein characterization from quinoa, amaranth, buckwheat, and grain legumes Teaching: Dr. Petersen teaches Biochemistry 1 (BSc, course responsible for the experimental part of the course) and Plants for Foods - Processing and Functionality (MSc, Lecturer). Her teaching directly connects to her research expertise in plant proteins and food processing technologies.
Tomas Laursen is an Associate Professor in the Department of Plant and Environmental Sciences at the University of Copenhagen, where he leads the Dynamic Metabolons research group within the Section for Plant Biochemistry. His work focuses on understanding the plasticity of biosynthetic membrane protein complexes (metabolons) for the production of phytochemicals in plants. Dr. Laursen's research spans plant biochemistry, biophysics, and metabolic engineering with a focus on: Organization and dynamics of enzyme complexes in plant metabolism Production mechanisms of bioactive plant compounds Cytochrome P450 systems and membrane protein behavior Engineering approaches to manipulate metabolic pathways His recent publications reveal a strong emphasis on understanding how plants organize their metabolic pathways through enzyme complexes (metabolons), with particular attention to conformational dynamics of key enzymes and spatial organization within plant cells. His research bridges fundamental biochemistry with practical applications in metabolic engineering. Dr. Laursen has secured significant research funding including: Novo Nordisk Foundation Emerging Investigator grant (2019-2024) Danish Council for Independent Research - Sapere Aude Starting Grant (2018-2022) Novo Nordisk Foundation Postdoc fellowship (2017-2019) He maintains active collaborations with researchers across multiple institutions, including experts in single molecule microscopy, neutron reflectometry, cryo-electron microscopy, and membrane protein technologies. His research group offers student projects focused on protein design and metabolic engineering approaches for plant metabolite production.
Eva Kummer is an Associate Professor and group leader at the Novo Nordisk Foundation Center for Protein Research (NNF-CPR) within the Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences at the University of Copenhagen, Denmark. She leads the Kummer Group, which focuses on understanding the biology of human mitochondria with particular emphasis on mitochondrial DNA maintenance and RNA production mechanisms using advanced structural approaches. Dr. Kummer earned her Dr. rer. nat. (summa cum laude) from the University of Heidelberg, Germany (2009-2013), where she studied molecular chaperone regulation, and her Diplom in Human Biology from the University of Greifswald, Germany (2004-2009), with specializations in Microbiology, Immunology, and Biochemistry. Her research integrates structural biology (primarily single particle cryo-EM and cryo-electron tomography) with functional biochemistry and cell biology to investigate essential mitochondrial processes at molecular and cellular levels. The Kummer Group has made groundbreaking contributions to understanding protein synthesis in mammalian mitochondria, including the first reconstitution of mitochondrial translation complexes, and has elucidated novel mechanisms of protein disaggregation by molecular chaperone systems. Their work provides fundamental insights into mitochondrial disorders caused by mutations in involved protein factors. Dr. Kummer's publication record demonstrates a consistent focus on mitochondrial translation mechanisms and chaperone-mediated protein quality control, with high-impact papers in journals like Nature, Science, and EMBO Journal. Her research bridges structural biology, molecular genetics, and cellular biochemistry to address fundamental questions about mitochondrial function and its implications for human health. Among her notable scientific achievements are the EMBO Long-Term Fellowship (2014-2015) and the Protein Society Symposium 'Graduate Best Poster Award' (2013). She has also received multiple travel grants and fellowships supporting her research, including from GlaxoSmithKline and HBIGS. Dr. Kummer has extensive leadership experience, having participated in multiple leadership training courses at ETH Zurich including 'Lateral leadership,' 'Project Management,' and 'Laboratory Leadership for Postdocs.' She has served in institutional roles including AVETH (Academic Association of Scientific Staff at ETH Zurich) and the Female peer mentoring group at the Department of Biology, ETH Zurich. The Kummer Group operates at the forefront of mitochondrial structural biology, utilizing cutting-edge cryo-EM techniques to unravel molecular mechanisms underlying mitochondrial function and dysfunction, with significant implications for understanding and potentially treating mitochondrial disorders.
Christian Friberg Nielsen is a Senior Researcher at the University of Copenhagen's Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, where he is affiliated with the Molecular Aging Program and the Hickson Group. His research focuses on chromosomal instability and its impact on human diseases including cancer, neurodegeneration, and infertility. Nielsen employs interdisciplinary approaches combining protein biochemistry, molecular/cell biology, high-resolution imaging, and microfluidics to study: Ultra-fine anaphase bridges (UFBs) in mitosis Common fragile sites in DNA replication Genome maintenance mechanisms Single-molecule biophysical techniques for DNA metabolism His recent publications demonstrate strong emphasis on chromosome mechanics (2020-2025), with consistent focus on mitotic processes, DNA replication stress, and innovative microfluidics applications. Work frequently appears in high-impact journals including Nature , Nature Materials , and PNAS . Nielsen collaborates internationally through the Hickson Group, developing tools to analyze genome instability using cutting-edge biophysical methods.
Søren Bak is a Professor in the Department of Plant and Environmental Sciences at the University of Copenhagen's Faculty of Science. He leads the Molecular Evolution Research Group and serves as the Section Leader for Plant Biochemistry. His academic journey began with a Cand. scient. from the University of Copenhagen in 1993, followed by a PhD from KVL (now part of the University of Copenhagen) in 1997. After serving as a Visiting Scientist at the University of Arizona (1998-2000), he progressed from Assistant to Associate Professor at KVL (2000-2005) before becoming a Professor at the University of Copenhagen. His research focuses on plant specialized metabolism, particularly the molecular evolution of biochemical innovations in plants. Key research areas include: Plant defense mechanisms and specialized compounds Saponins as potential bio-pesticides for sustainable agriculture (EcoSap project) Environmental impact of plant metabolites (SapFate project) Integration of biotechnology with anthropology and law for sustainable agriculture (BioPlantPro project) Metabolomics and molecular evolution of plant specialized metabolism Analysis of his recent publications reveals a strong focus on plant specialized metabolism, particularly saponins and other defense compounds. His work bridges fundamental biochemistry with practical applications in sustainable agriculture and biotechnology. The research spans from molecular-level investigations of enzyme function and metabolic pathways to broader ecological and environmental implications. As an academic leader, he has served as Studyleader for the BSc Biotechnology education (2008-2012) and Head of the Plant Biochemistry section (2015-2023). He currently chairs the Natural Sciences council of the Independent Research Fund Denmark (2024), having served as Vice Chairman (2023) and council member (2019-2024). His teaching portfolio includes courses in bioinformatics and advanced plant biology, reflecting his interdisciplinary approach that combines classical biochemistry with modern omics technologies and computational methods.
Meike Burow serves as Professor in the Department of Plant and Environmental Sciences within the Faculty of Science at the University of Copenhagen (UCPH), Denmark. Her research group operates under the Section for Plant Glycobiology, focusing on metabolic and regulatory networks in plant systems. Her educational background includes a Dipl. Biol. with excellence from the University of Hannover (2001) and a Dr. rer. nat. summa cum laude from Friedrich Schiller Universität Jena (2008). Prior academic positions include Associate Professor at UCPH (2011-2020), Postdoc/Assistant Professor in Plant Biology and Biotechnology (2008-2011), and research positions in Germany. Professor Burow's research centers on plant metabolic networks, particularly investigating how plants integrate internal and external signals through transcriptional, post-transcriptional, and post-translational regulation. Her work primarily utilizes Arabidopsis thaliana and glucosinolates as model systems to study specialized metabolism dynamics. Key research areas include transcription factor networks (particularly R2R3 MYB factors), metabolite sensing, RNA-mediated regulation, and protein-protein interactions in metabolic channeling. Her recent publications (2023-2025) demonstrate strong focus on plant defense mechanisms, glucosinolate metabolism, plant-microbe interactions, and translational applications in horticulture. The research spans molecular genetics, ecological interactions, and agricultural applications, with particular emphasis on Brassicaceae species and their specialized metabolites. As an educator, she serves as Head of Studies for the BSc Biotechnology program and teaches courses including Introduction to Biotechnology, Experimental Molecular Biology, and Big Data in Biotechnology at both undergraduate and graduate levels. Her outreach activities include public engagement events like Kulturnat in 2008-2009 focused on plant biotechnology. Her laboratory investigates the complex regulatory networks controlling plant specialized metabolism, with particular attention to how environmental cues modulate metabolic investments in growth versus defense. Current work integrates molecular techniques with systems biology approaches to understand metabolic plasticity in changing environments.
Luke Francis Gamon is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Biomedical Sciences at the University of Copenhagen, specializing in inflammation, metabolism, and oxidation research. He leads projects within the Davies Group investigating protein oxidation mechanisms and their implications in human disease. His academic background includes: PhD in Chemistry from the University of Melbourne (2012-2017) Master of Science in Chemistry from the University of Melbourne (2010-2011) Bachelor of Science in Chemistry from the University of Melbourne (2007-2009) Dr. Gamon's research centers on understanding how reactive oxygen species modify proteins and affect cellular function, with particular focus on metabolic enzymes and inflammatory pathways. His work bridges chemistry and biology to elucidate molecular mechanisms underlying metabolic disorders. Key interests include protein crosslinking, enzyme inactivation through oxidation, and the role of oxidative stress in cardiovascular diseases. Analysis of his recent publications reveals a consistent research trajectory in free radical biology, with emphasis on how oxidative modifications impact metabolic pathways. His work employs advanced techniques in proteomics, mass spectrometry, and cellular modeling to investigate protein modifications in conditions like atherosclerosis and metabolic disorders. Professional recognition includes: Marie Curie Fellow (2017/2018) Dr. Gamon maintains active research collaborations across international boundaries, with his work referenced in academic platforms including Wikipedia. His research group at the University of Copenhagen investigates molecular disease mechanisms through integrated biochemical and cellular approaches.
Morten Levin Rybtke is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Immunology and Microbiology at the University of Copenhagen, specializing in bacteriology with a primary focus on Pseudomonas aeruginosa biofilms. His research explores the complex interactions between bacterial biofilms and host immune systems, with particular emphasis on the molecular mechanisms governing biofilm developmental processes. Education: PhD in Health Sciences from University of Copenhagen (2012), focusing on Small Molecule Signaling and Signal Inhibition in Pseudomonas aeruginosa MSc in Biotechnology from Technical University of Denmark (2008), specializing in Computer Based Drug Design to Combat Pseudomonas aeruginosa Infections Rybtke's research program centers on bacterial biofilm biology, particularly investigating the impact of P. aeruginosa biofilm extracellular matrix on host immune responses, regulation of extracellular matrix production by the second messenger cyclic di-GMP, and modification of biochemical properties of the biofilm matrix. His work bridges fundamental microbiology with translational applications for treating chronic bacterial infections. Analysis of his recent publications (2022-2025) reveals a consistent trajectory in biofilm research with increasing focus on therapeutic interventions. His work spans from fundamental biofilm mechanisms to applied research on anti-biofilm compounds and combination therapies, with particular relevance to cystic fibrosis infections and medical device-associated biofilms. The research demonstrates strong interdisciplinary collaboration across microbiology, immunology, and pharmacology domains. Scientific Recognition: Active contributor to the field with 44 research outputs including 38 journal articles, 4 reviews, 1 book chapter, and 1 comment/debate Research has garnered significant attention with citations across Scopus and mentions in social media and news outlets Rybtke maintains extensive collaborations with leading researchers in the biofilm field including Tolker-Nielsen, Givskov, and Høiby. His work frequently employs innovative methodologies including novel hydrogel models to study biofilm development in both in vitro and in vivo contexts, advancing our understanding of biofilm-associated infections and potential therapeutic strategies.
Michael Ploug is a Professor and Group Leader at the Biotech Research & Innovation Centre (BRIC), part of the Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences at the University of Copenhagen. His research program focuses on molecular mechanisms of lipoprotein metabolism and cardiovascular biology, with significant contributions to understanding triglyceride regulation and related disorders. Dr. Ploug's primary research interests include: Lipoprotein metabolism, particularly lipoprotein lipase (LPL) function and regulation Triglyceride metabolism and associated disorders Molecular mechanisms underlying cardiovascular diseases Cancer biology, with recent work on pancreatic cancer therapeutics Protein structure-function relationships in metabolic regulation Analysis of Dr. Ploug's recent publications reveals a consistent focus on lipoprotein metabolism mechanisms, particularly the role of lipoprotein lipase in triglyceride homeostasis. His work spans from fundamental molecular mechanisms to translational applications, with significant contributions to understanding APOA5 function and developing therapeutic approaches for metabolic disorders. His research demonstrates strong international collaboration across multiple countries. Dr. Ploug's research impact is evidenced by: Pickup by 6 news outlets 1 blog mention 16 posts by X users Reference in 1 patent 2 mentions by Bluesky users 26 readers on Mendeley As Group Leader of the Ploug Group at BRIC, he maintains an active laboratory with significant external collaborations. His research program bridges basic science with potential clinical applications in metabolic and cardiovascular diseases.
