The Medical Biotechnology Center was
founded in October 2004, at University of Southern Denmark placed in a
new research building located in close connection with Odense
University Hospital. The center contains seven research groups, headed
by a team of professors with a strong international profile. All groups
focus on enhanching the understanding of disease mechanisms at
molecular and cellular levels. A broad range of diseases is studied
including cancer, autoimmunity, inflammation, diabetes, multiple
sclerosis, osteoporosis and neurological, cardiovascular and infectious
diseases. Each group uses state-of-the-art immunological, molecular
biology and cellular techniques to understand cellular processes and
protein functions in a disease-associated context with the potential of
developing new therapeutics. The combination of strong interactions
between the groups, a non-hierarchical structure and independent
research agendas, foster a creative and competitive environment. MISSION 1:Focus on disease mechanisms 2:
Broad spectrum of technologies:Molecular and cell biology stem cell,
immunology, animal base disease models and clinical analyses 3: Interactive and flexible structure, supporting interdisciplinary approaches RESEARCH GROUPES 1:Henrik J. Ditzel, MD, PhD, DMSc
Professor, Physician-in-chief, Center coordinatorPh.: +45-65503781
alt. Ph +45-65503960
Fax: +45-65503922
hditzel@health.sdu.dkMission: We aim to study the biomedical and immunological aspects of cancer biology with a special focus on breast cancer. 2: Matthias Dobbelstein,
MD, Professor
Ph.: +45 6550 3970
mDobbelstein@health.sdu.dkMission:
At the Dobbelstein lab we are focussing our research on the tumor
suppressor p53, trying to elucidate its mechanisms of action, its
regulation and its suitability as a target for cancer therapy 3: Bente Finsen, MD
ProfessorPh.: +45-65503990
bfinsen@health.sdu.dkMission:
Neurologic disease is a major cause of human disability and death. Our
research aims to uncover basic aspects of the response of the central
nervous system (CNS) and the immune system to injury and disease, using
animal models of acute and chronic neurodegenerative and
neuroinflammatory diseases. We focus on the neuroprotective and
neurotoxic functions of innate microglia and macrophages in
experimental stroke, and on the regulation and function of microglial
responses following acute (axonal) neural injury and in chronic
neurodegenerative disease. 4: Uffe Holmskov
MD, Ph.D., DM.Sc..
Professor of ImmunologyPh.: +45-65503775
uholmskov@health.sdu.dk Mission:
The Holmskov laboratory studies pattern recognition receptors (PRRs) of
the innate immune system and their roles in diverse disease states as
acute and chronic inflammation, infection diseases, autoimmune
diseases, atherosclerosis and obesity. The binding of PRRs to
microorganisms or their products leads in most cases to microbial
destruction and to induction of the adaptive immune system. The group
has shown, that PPRs necessary for the prevention of infections also
can be disadvantageous and predispose to various disease states. Three
major groups of PPRs are in focus. The collectins, the fibrinogen
related domain molecules (FReD’s) and the scavenger receptor
cystein-rich (SRCR) domain family of proteins. These and other PRRs
also recognize altered self like oxLDL or apoptotic cells. The research
includes the molecular cell biology of PPRs and their ligand
interactions, animal models for PPRs including the use of gene-modified
mice, and clinical implication of variation of PPR expression in man. A
range of molecular biology, cell biology and immunobiology technologies
are available. These include in vitro expression of PPRs,
site-directed mutagenesis, analysis of primary smooth muscle and
endothelial cell lines, production and analysis of gene modified
animals, production of monoclonal antibodies, quantitative assays for
protein and RNA and single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) analysis. 5: Niels A. Jensen
PhD. Professor of Biomedicine.
Ph.: +45-65503931
naajensen@health.sdu.dk Mission: Research in our laboratory is focused on two main areas: 1.
The role of transcription factors in the mouse brain development. See
recent publication: http://dev.biologists.org/cgi/reprint/134/6/1133
2. The role of the NDRG2 gene in sporadic Alzheimer disease pathogenesis. 6: Moustapha Kassem,
professor Head of KMEB Unit
Moustapha Kassem, MD,PhD, DSc
Professor
Department of Endocrinology and Metabolism
University Hospital of Odense
DK-5000 Odense C
Denmark
Tlf. +45-6541 1606
Fax +45-6591 9653
E-mail: mkassem@health.sdu.dk or Moustapha.kassem@ouh.fyns-amt.dkMission: The Molecular Endocrinology Unit (KMEB) (in Danish: Klinik for Molekylær Endokrinologisk Behandling) 7: Trevor Owens
Professor
Ph.: +45-6550 3951Mission:
We are interested in how inflammatory diseases such as Multiple
sclerosis (MS) are initiated and regulated. Many molecular and cellular
aspects of central nervous system (CNS) inflammation are shared by
innate responses of the CNS, and CNS inflammation may have beneficial
as well as pathologic outcome. Therefore we study brain responses to
inflammation and injury. | DenmarkWinsloewsparken
MEDICAL BIOTECHNOLOGY CENTER(MBC) Medical Biotechnology Center
Institute of Medical Biology
University of Southern Denmark
Winsloewsparken 25, 3
5000 Odense C, Denmark
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