Gasbjerg group – translational pharmacology

We study the physiology of hormones released from the gastrointestinal tract. Based on physiological and pathophysiological principles, we aim at developing novel hormone receptor targeting therapeutic options for diseases related to the cardiovascular and endocrine systems.

Research focus

We do translational pharmacological research in the in vitro pharmacological laboratory (receptor signaling and ligand-binding studies) and clinical settings (human infusion and imaging studies). We work to understand, design and improve treatments of several disorders with endocrine therapeutic perspective e.g. postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome, postprandial hypotension, type 2 diabetes, and obesity. We go all the way from drug design and molecular/pharmacological actions to effects in healthy individuals and patients.

One of our areas of expertise is the use of receptor antagonists targeting the glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide (GIP), glucagon-like peptide 1 (GLP-1), and GLP-2 receptors in humans and animal models.

Techniques

Our area of expertise is hormone infusion studies in humans. We conduct these experiments at collaborating facilities at Gentofte Hospital (focusing on metabolic outcomes) and Rigshospitalet (using imaging such as PET-MRI / PET-CT). In a translational approach, we bring our findings to the in vitro- and animal facilities at our department to conduct mechanistic studies of e.g. gastrointestinal blood flow in animal models or drug effects in an in vitro receptor signaling assays.

Research projects

Examples of our projects:

The effects of GIP receptor antagonism in the fasting state in persons with overweight
Metabolic characterization of persons with genetic hormone receptor variants
Effects of GIP receptor and GLP-2 receptor antagonism on gastrointestinal blood flow in persons with postprandial hypotension or postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome

Funding

Active grants

Independent Research Fund - Danmarks Frie Forskningsfond

European Foundation for the Study of Diabetes (EFSD)

The Danish Diabetes Association - Diabetesforeningen

Hørslevfonden

Skibsreder P Henriksen og Hustrus Fond

Award grants

Lundbeck Foundation (Talent Prize) and L’Oreal UNESCO For Women in Science

Collaboration

International

Vanderbilt University Medical Center, TN, USA: Clinical Assistant Professor Cyndia Shibao

Turku University, Finland: Professor Pirjo Nuutila

National

Rigshospitalet, Glostrup-Copenhagen: Professor Malene Fischer, senior scientist Bryan Haddock, chief physician Ulrik Bjørn Andersen

Gentofte Hospital/Steno Diabetes Center Copenhagen: Professors Filip Krag Knop and Tina Vilsbøll

Bispebjerg Hospital: Clinical Associate Professor Mikkel Bring Christensen

University of Copenhagen: Professors Jens Juul Holst and Mette Marie Rosenkilde, Associate Professors Bolette Hartmann, Charlotte Mehlin, and Niels Grarup