Current Position:
- 2005-present: Professor, Institute of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, Copenhagen, Denmark
Education and Training
- 1981: DDS (Doctor of Dental Surgery), School of Dentistry, Faculty of Health Sciences, Copenhagen, Denmark
- 1990: Dr.odont (D.Sc., Doctorate in Dentistry - equivalent to PhD), School of Dentistry, Faculty of Health Sciences, Copenhagen, Denmark
Professional and Academic Background:
- 1981-1982: Intern, Danish Navy, general practitioner
- 1982-1986: Research Fellow, School of Dentistry, Faculty of Health Sciences, Copenhagen
- 1983-1986: Visiting Research Fellow, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Program of Biochemical Oncology, and University of Washington, Seattle, USA
- 1986-1990: Research Assistant Professor, University of Washington, Seattle, USA
- 1986-1990: Head, Department of Immunogenetics, The Biomembrane Institute, Seattle, USA
- 1990-1991: Associate Professor (lektor), Department of Oral Diagnostics, School of Dentistry, Faculty of Health Sciences, Copenhagen
- 1991-2004: Senior Associate Professor (docent), Department of Oral Diagnostics, School of Dentistry, Faculty of Health Sciences, Copenhagen
- 2000-2005: Visiting Lecturer in Pathology, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center (BIDMC), Harvard Medical School, USA
Consulting and International Roles:
- 1994-1998: Member, Scientific Advisory Board, Aptein Inc., USA
- 1998-present: Member, General Scientific Advisory Board, Neose Inc., USA
- 2000-present: Consultant, ZymeQuest Inc., USA
- 2001-present: Member, GlycoAdvance Scientific Advisory Board, Neose Inc., USA
- 2001-present: National Representative, IGO (International Glycoconjugate Organization)
- 2002: Consultant, Millennium Pharmaceuticals, USA
Scientific Skills:
- Glycosylation and glycobiology - internationally recognized expertise
- Glycosyltransferases - enzymes involved in glycan synthesis
- Cancer-Associated Mucins
- Carbohydrates and immunity - role of sugars in immune response
- Blood group antigens - blood group antigens and their glycosylation
- Protein glycosylation and its role in pathology
- Membrane biology and glycoconjugates
Methodological Expertise:
- Biochemistry of complex carbohydrates
- Glycosyltransferase enzymology
- Molecular immunology
- Biotechnological approaches for glycosylation manipulation
- Structural studies of glycans
Scientific Leadership:
- National Representative, IGO (International Glycoconjugate Organization)
- Member of Scientific Advisory Boards of US biotechnology companies
- Organizer of international symposia and congresses in glycobiology
Research Activities
Main Research Areas:
1. Cancer Glycobiology:
- Cancer-associated mucins and their aberrant glycosylation
- Role of glycosylation in tumor progression
- Potential therapeutic targets based on tumor glycans
- Glycan biomarkers for cancer diagnosis and prognosis
2. Glycosyltransferases:
- Structural and functional characterization of glycosyltransferases
- Regulation of glycosyltransferase expression
- Substrate specificity and catalytic mechanisms
- Biotechnological applications of glycosyltransferases
3. Carbohydrates and Immunity:
- Carbohydrate antigens and immune response
- Role of glycans in immune recognition
- Immunoglobulin glycosylation
- Glycans as modulators of immune response
4. Blood Group Antigens:
- Biosynthesis of blood group antigens
- Glycosyltransferases involved in blood group determination
- Clinical and transfusion implications
- Genetic polymorphisms and phenotypic variants
International Conference Organization (selection):
- Benzon Symposia (Copenhagen, 1993, 2007)
- Nordic Glycobiology Symposia (Copenhagen, multiple editions 1992-2004)
- International Cancer-Associated Mucin Workshop (1994-2009, multiple locations)
- International Workshop on Mucin Glycosylation (Copenhagen, 1997)
- XIII International Symposium on Glycoconjugates (Zurich, 1997)
- Symposium on Carbohydrate and Immunity (Lesbos, 1997, 1999)
- International Workshop on Glycosylation and Immunity (Greece, 2001)
- Glycosyltransferases symposia (Toronto 2000, Stockholm 2002, Le Touquet 2004, Tsukuba 2006, Atlanta 2008)
- Gordon Conference on Glycobiology (Ventura, Los Angeles, 2001)
International Experiences:
- 1983-1986: Visiting Research Fellow, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center and University of Washington, Seattle, USA
- 1986-1990: Research Assistant Professor, University of Washington, Seattle, USA
- 1986-1990: Head, Department of Immunogenetics, The Biomembrane Institute, Seattle, USA
- 2000-2005: Visiting Lecturer in Pathology, BIDMC, Harvard Medical School, USA
International Collaborations:
- Scientific consulting for US biotechnology companies (Aptein, Neose, ZymeQuest, Millennium Pharmaceuticals)
- National Representative for IGO (International Glycoconjugate Organization)
- Organization of international congresses in Europe, USA, Asia
Biotechnological Applications:
- Consulting for development of glycosylation-based technologies (Neose Inc., ZymeQuest Inc.)
- Contributions to development of therapeutic approaches based on glycosylation manipulation
- Advisory roles for pharmaceutical applications (Millennium Pharmaceuticals)
Translational Research:
- Identification of glycan biomarkers for cancer diagnosis
- Development of therapeutic strategies based on targeting tumor mucins
- Diagnostic applications of glycosylation patterns
Scientific Output:
- Extensive scientific production in glycobiology, with publications in high-impact international journals
Awards and Honours:
- Benzow Prize (1994)
- Thureus Prize (1998)
- Mizutani Prize (1999) - prestigious international prize in glycobiology
- Carlsberg Biotechnology Prize (2008)
Editorial Activities:
- Member, Editorial Board, Glycoconjugate Journal (1995-present)
- Member, Editorial Board, Journal of Biological Chemistry (2004-present)
Scientific Impact:
- Fundamental contributions to understanding glycosylation in cancer
- Internationally recognized leader in glycosyltransferases field
- Pioneer in cancer-associated mucin studies
- Contributions to defining role of carbohydrates in immunity
Scientific Organization:
- Organizer of over 20 international symposia and workshops in glycobiology
- Session chair at numerous international congresses
- Leadership in International Glycoconjugate Organization