Presentation of the Column
Neuroinflammation is a rapidly expanding field that has revolutionized our understanding of acute and chronic neurological diseases and is currently considered a prime target for the development of new therapies. Neuroinflammation is the response of reactive CNS components to altered homeostasis, regardless of the cause to be endogenous or exogenous. Neurological diseases, whether traumatic, neoplastic, ischemic, metabolic, toxic, infectious, autoimmune, developmental, or degenerative, involve direct and indirect immune-related neuroinflammation. Mediators of inflammation include signals from local neuron-glia interactions as well as from recruited cells. Processes derived from extrinsic and intrinsic CNS diseases also elicit the CNS inflammatory response. A deeper understanding of neuron-glia interactions and immune-related inflammation in health and disease is necessary to find potential therapeutic targets for preventing or reducing CNS damage.
This thematic research column focuses on interactions of the immune system (and especially the innate immune system) with the nervous system. This includes the roles of CNS immune mediators (such as neurons, microglia, and astrocytes, and their expressed signaling molecules) as well as the roles of peripheral neuro-immune interactions, T cells, monocytes, complement proteins, acute phase proteins, oxidative injury, and related molecular processes.
Work within this research column provides opportunities to do preclinical and clinical research within this field with researchers from basic and clinical neuroscience, focusing on neuron-glia interactions in normal brain homeostasis and neuroinflammatory diseases.
Research opportunities include in vitro and in vivo models of neuron-glia interactions and/or neuroinflammation, studies on individuals with neurological diseases, as well as studies on postmortem tissue. A variety of different genetic, molecular, cellular biological, electrophysiological, biochemical, and pharmacological research techniques is used to answer hypothesis-driven scientific questions. By doing your lab rotations within our column, you should be able to formulate a translational PhD project in collaboration with two or more PIs in the column.
Aalborg University
Ove Wiborg________________Alzheimer's disease models • Chronic neuroinflammation • Behavioral rescue
Associate Professor Ove Wiborg
• Health Science and Technology •
About the Research
Main techniques used in the lab: transgenic Alzheimer rat models, behavioral phenotyping, drug target validation (pharmacological intervention), histology, spatial transcriptomics (scRNA-seq) and molecular techniques.
Two lab members
Louise Madsen - Lab technician
N N - PhD student
Lab rotation
Behavioral testing of rats addressing attention, learning/memory, motivation, reward sens, fear-related behavior, social behavior and multivariate temporal pattern analyses. Immunohistochemistry and -omics techniques (scRNA-seq, cytokine profiling)
Secondary Column
Neurodegenerative Diseases
Associate Professor Allan Stensballe
• Department of Health Science and Technology • Translational Biomarkers in Pain and Precision Medicine
About the Research
Proteomics & systems biology driven research in autoimmune and inflammatory diseases. Focus on understaning disease immunopathophysiology and prediciton of treatment efficacy in precision medicine. Proteomics based research laboratory
Two lab members
Christopher Aboo - PhD student
Jacob Skallerup Andersen - PhD student
Lab rotation
Hands-on experimental wet laboratory training in mass spec and array based proteomics and computational bioinformatics of clinical and translational model animal based research in State-of-the-art proteomics-protein science laboratory
Secondary Column
Neurodegenerative Diseases
Associate Professor Jacob Bodilsen
Aalborg University Hospital • Infectious Diseases • Aalborg Infection Research
About the Research
Porcine-based animal models of pathophysiology and pharmacokinetic aspects of CNS infections. Epidemiological studies of CNS infections using clinical databases and healthcare registries as well as RCT of treatment of CNS infection.
Two lab members
Lærke Storgaard - Master student
Theis Mariager - Master student
Lab rotation
Training in porcine animal models, epidemology and clinical research in human patients with CNS infections.
Secondary Column
Brain Vasculature and Barriers
Aarhus University
Professor Trine Mogensen
Aarhus University Hospital • Biomedicine • Human Immunology of Infectious Diseases
About the Research
Our research group is interested in exploring immunopathogenesis of viral infections in the CNS, and to understand individual differences in susceptibility to neuroinfections in humans. We use genetic analysis of patients with severe outcome of HSV o
Two lab members
Morten Skouboe - PhD student
Sofie Jørgensen - Assistant Professor
Lab rotation
Whole genome sequencing analysis, functional studies in patient cells, crispr gene editing of human cells
Secondary Column
Neurodegenerative Diseases
Professor Søren Riis Paludan
Aarhus University • Biomedicine •
About the Research
We are interested in neuro-infections and -inflammation, and how immune responses impact on host defense and disease development. To study this, we use a broad range of tools spanning from molecular studies to mouse models.
Two lab members
Nina Pil Hostrup Nielsen - PhD student
Theresa Wimberley - Senior researcher
Lab rotation
Hands-on in vivo experiments, stem cell-derived brain cell cultures, immunological assays, insight into neuroimmunology
Secondary Column
Associate Professor Christian Bjerggaard Vægter
• Department of Biomedicine •
About the Research
Mouse and cellular models for Glia-neuron interactions in the PNS in relation to neuropathy, and glia-to-neuron communication by exosomes
Two lab members
Lone Pallesen - Assistant Professor
Ole Ahlgreen - PhD student
Lab rotation
To learn about rodent PNS neuropathy models, and apply relevant sensory tests and tissue analyses to study glial biology
Secondary Column
Motor and Pain Neuroscience
Associate Professor Anders Rosendal Korshøj
Aarhus University Hospital • Dept of Neurosurgery •
About the Research
Clinical trials in neurooncology (phase 1 and 2). Preclinical studies on living tissue samples of human cerebral cortex and brain tumor (cellular electrophysiology). Computer models of tumor treating fields dose. Technology development
Two lab members
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Lab rotation
clinical trials, protocols, data analysis, computer models, human brain samples, brain cancer samples
Secondary Column
Brain Vasculature and Barriers
University of Copenhagen
Associate Professor Blanca Irene Aldana
• Drug Design and Pharmacology • Neurometabolism
About the Research
Research focused on energy metabolic interactions among glia and neurons in the healthy and diseased brain using primary and hIPSC-derived cultures, brain-derived preparations, dynamic metabolic mapping, mass spectrometry and bioenergetics
Two lab members
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Lab rotation
Preparation of primary and hIPSC-derived cultures of brain cells, acutely isolated brain slices, use of transgenic animal models, dynamic metabolic mapping using stable isotopes, live-cell bioenergetics (Seahorse), cytokine profiling and HPLC
Secondary Column
Neurodegenerative Diseases
Associate Professor Claire Francesca Meehan
• Department ofNeuroscience • Meehan Lab
About the Research
We are Investigating the interaction between environmental triggers, neuroinflammation, excitability and the neurodegenerative disease ALS-FTD (Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis and Frontal Temporal Dementia).
Associate Professor Blanca Irene Aldana
• Drug Design and Pharmacology • Neurometabolism
About the Research
Research focused on energy metabolic interactions among glia and neurons in the healthy and diseased brain using primary and hIPSC-derived cultures, brain-derived preparations, dynamic metabolic mapping, mass spectrometry and bioenergetics
Two lab members
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Lab rotation
Preparation of primary and hIPSC-derived cultures of brain cells, acutely isolated brain slices, use of transgenic animal models, dynamic metabolic mapping using stable isotopes, live-cell bioenergetics (Seahorse), cytokine profiling and HPLC
Secondary Column
Neurodegenerative Diseases
Associate Professor Kristine Freude
• Veterinary and Animal Sciences • Disease Stem Cells Models and Embryology
About the Research
My group studies molecular mechanisms of neurodevelopmental disorders (Epilepsy & Schizophrenia) and neurodegenerative diseases (Alzheimer’s disease, Frontotemporal dementia & Glaucoma) in 2D and 3D induced pluripotent stem cell models.
Two lab members
Abinaya Chandrasekaran - Assistant Professor
Henriette Haukedal - Postdoc
Lab rotation
hands-on experience in: in vitro differentiation of hiPSC into neuronal subtypes, astrocytes and microglia; 2D microfluidic co-cultures; 3D cerebral organoids; retinal organoids; TEM; MEA; live cell imaging; scRNA; CRISPR; functional analyses
Secondary Column
Neurodegenerative Diseases
Professor Hajime Hirase
• Center for Translational Neuromedicine • Neuron-Glia Circuitry
About the Research
The lab investigates neuronal and glial microcircuitries of cortical structures in behaving mice using optical imaging and molecular genetics. We are aimed at discovering a new biological principle that may be central to neural plasticity.
Two lab members
Antonis Asiminas - Postdoc
Tsuneko Mishima - Postdoc
Lab rotation
in vivo optical imaging/stimulation (1p & 2p) in mice; data analysis; wet work for viral vector construction
Secondary Column
Brain Homeostasis and Brain-Body Interactions
Professor Finn Sellebjerg
Copenhagen University Hospital - Rigshospitalet • Department of Neurology • Danish Multiple Sclerosis Center
About the Research
We study multiple sclerosis and other immune-mediated diseases using: biomarker studies (ELISA, ECL, SIMOA) and gene expression assays (qPCR); genetic and epigenetic studies; T/B cell activation assays; and in vitro blood-brain barrier, astrocyte and
Two lab members
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Lab rotation
The student will get hands-on experience with lumbar puncture/cerebrospinal fluid analysis, flow cytometry, cell activation and biomarker studies. In addition, there are possibilities to work with gene expression and DNA/RNA sequencing analyses.
Secondary Column
Professor Jens Mikkelsen
• Institute of Neuroscience • Mikkelsen Lab
About the Research
My laboratory is interested in identifying biomarkers relevant for detection and modulating of inflammatory processes and synaptic plasticity in patients with neurodegenerative diseases as well as in relevant animal models of disease.
Two lab members
Sanjay Aripaka - Postdoc
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Lab rotation
Human, Biomarker, Radioligands, Animal models, Imaging
Secondary Column
Neurodegenerative Diseases
Professor Anders Woetmann
• Department of Immunology and Microbiology, The LEO Skin Immunology Research Center •
About the Research
Primary focus is immune regulation, including how the immune-neuro axis modulates immune responses. Our methods are molecular and cell based and include flow cytometry, RNAseq (bulk and scRNA), ATAC, cut&run
Two lab members
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Lab rotation
Secondary Column
Neuroinflammation and Neuron-Glia Interactions
Professor Maiken Nedergaard
• Center for Translational Neuromedicine •
About the Research
Our lab is focused on study of astrocytes. The two major lines of work focuses on 1) neuroglia interactions and 2) the glymphatic fluid transport and how both are regulated by the sleep-wake cycle and differeny states of brain activity
Two lab members
Pia weikop - Senior researcher
Andrew Samson - Assistant Professor
Lab rotation
in vivo 2-photon imaging of astrocytes or CSF transport including analysis of data
Secondary Column
Brain Vasculature and Barriers
Professor Michael Eriksen Benros
Mental Health Center Copenhagen & University of Copenhagen, Department of Immunology and Microbiology • Mental Health Center Copenhagen • Biological and Precision Psychiatry
About the Research
ImmunoPsychiatry and Precision Psychiatry – through the use of Big Data from nationwide registers and large-scale genetics, to deeply phenotyped clinical data, including cerebrospinal fluid investigations, with the aim of discovering biological meani
Two lab members
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Lab rotation
Introduction to method and theory relevant to ImmunoPsychiatry, Neuroimmunology, Immunogenetics, Data analyses, Precision Psychiatry, Neuroimmunological and clinical research and evaluation of patients.
Secondary Column
Mood and Reward
University of Southern Denmark
Assistant Professor Agnieszka Wlodarczyk
• Department of Neurobiology Research •
About the Research
Investigation of 1) neuroprotective and immunomodulatory mechanisms driven by microglia in neurological diseases such as Multiple Sclerosis (MS), Alzheimer’s disease and normal aging. 2) the role of placental cells and microchimerism in pregnancy-ass
Two lab members
Gabriela Lyszczarz - PhD student
Anouk Benmamar-Badel - Postdoc
Lab rotation
hands-on in vivo experiments, in vivo models, flow cytometry, cell sorting, cell transplantation, confocal microscopy, behavioural testing.
Secondary Column
Neurodegenerative Diseases
Associate Professor Reza M. H. Khorooshi
• Neurobiology, Institute of Molecular Medicine • Trevor Owens lab.
About the Research
Investigating the Innate regulation of neuroinflammation and the role of glial and myeloid cells in demyelinating diseases; in vivo models, drugs and treatments, Flow cytometry, histology, and molecular analysis
Assistant Professor Agnieszka Wlodarczyk
• Department of Neurobiology Research •
About the Research
Investigation of 1) neuroprotective mechanisms driven by microglia in neurological diseases such as Multiple Sclerosis (MS), Alzheimer’s disease 2) the role of placenta and microchimerism in pregnancy-associated remission from MS.
Two lab members
Gabriela Lyszczarz - PhD student
Anouk Benmamar-Badel - Postdoc
Lab rotation
hands-on in vivo experiments, in vivo models, flow cytometry, cell sorting, cell transplantation, confocal microscopy, behavioural testing.
Secondary Column
Neurodegenerative Diseases
Associate Professor Åsa Fex Svenningsen
• Department of Molecular Medicine- Neuroscience Research • Cellular and molecular neuroscience- Fex Svenningsen group
About the Research
We are studying biomarkers- proteins that predict onset, disease worsening or reactions to medications. Biomarkers can also give an understanding of disease mechanisms. We use patient material, animals, cell cultures, analyzed using molecular methods
Two lab members
Simone Hjæresen - PhD student
Tobias Christian Mogensen - Lab technician
Lab rotation
Generation of primary cell cultures of all CNS cells, pharamcological and toxicological analysis of cells, functional analysis of cell behavior, molecular methods as qPCR, immunochemistry, ELIZA.
Secondary Column
Neurodegenerative Diseases
Associate Professor Bettina Hjelm Clausen
Department of Molecular Medicine • Neurobiology • Clausen group
About the Research
Unravel and modulate the inflammatory response orchestrated by innate immune cells in the brain post-stroke. We perform drug testing and cell therapies, emphasizing findings relevant to cell function, cell communication, and stroke pathophysiology.
Two lab members
Karin Kejling - Lab technician
Carina Jørgensen - PhD student
Lab rotation
Hands-on work with mice, experiments and data analysis
Secondary Column
Brain Vasculature and Barriers
Professor Frantz Rom Poulsen
• Department of Neurosurgery • Neurosurgical research group
About the Research
Optimizing patient outcome after neurosurgical treatments. The diseases in question range from brain cancer, cerebral metastasis to vascular disorders and neurodegenerative diseases. Acute and elective.
Two lab members
Morten Winkler Møller - PhD student
Mikkel Schou Andersen - PhD student
Lab rotation
Clinical research, health data science, cell and animal models, state-of-the-art clinical neuroimaging, new surgical techniques
Secondary Column
Professor Kate Lykke Lambertsen
• Department of Neurobiology Research • Lambertsen Group
About the Research
Our research mainly focuses on neuroinflammatory diseases, and we use a wide range of experimental in vitro and in vivo models, clinical samples, as well as postmortem tissue, to study cellular and molecular mechanisms.
Two lab members
Pernille Vinther Nielsen - PhD student
Estrid Thougaard - PhD student
Lab rotation
Hands-on in vivo and in vitro experiments with human and animal samples, behavior, cellular and molecular techniques, data analysis
Secondary Column
Brain Vasculature and Barriers
Professor Nasrin Asgari
University of Southern Denmark • Institute of Molecular Medicine & Institute of Regional Health Research • Asgari Group
About the Research
The research has translational goals, integrating clinical and experimental studies on inflammatory demyelinating diseases of the CNS. Methodologies include OCT, murine disease models, analysis of human tissues and CSF samples by sensitive assays.
Two lab members
Sara Samadzadeh - PhD student
Sigge Weisdorf - Postdoc
Lab rotation
OCT, murine disease models, analysis of human tissues and CSF samples by sensitive assays, flow cytometry, RT-qPCR
Secondary Column
Brain Vasculature and Barriers
Professor Bente Finsen
• Department of Molecular Medicine • Finsen-lab
About the Research
We aim understanding neuroimmune mechanisms in Alzheimer’s, focusing on modulation of microglia to prevent an ameliorate pathology. We also investigate the immune contribution to white matter de(re)generation in Alzheimer’s and multiple sclerosis.
Two lab members
Sussanne Petersen - Lab technician
Katrine Krohn - Postdoc
Lab rotation
Histologic and morphometric analysis of rodent and human brain tissue. Microglial or oligodendrocyte culturing. Molecular biology (incl. TaqMan RT-rtPCR) and immunochemical analyses (ELISA). Mouse or rat stereotaxic surgery.
Secondary Column
Neurodegenerative Diseases
Professor Trevor Owens
• Neurobiology, Institute Molecular Medicine •
About the Research
Animal models for MS and NMOSD; EAE, cuprizone, intrathecal cytokines; flow cytometry, RT-qPCR, histology, RNAseq.
Two lab members
Reza Khorooshi - Assistant Professor
Bhavya Ojha - PhD student
Lab rotation
Mouse models for MS and NMOSD, primarily using histology, flow cytometry, transcriptomics. Students will learn methods and theory relevant to dissection of molecular mechanisms underlying glial-immune interactions in health and disease..
Secondary Column
Neurodegenerative Diseases