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.
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.
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.
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
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
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
Group members
Name | Title | Phone | |
---|---|---|---|
Rasmussen, Rasmus Syberg | PhD Fellow | ||
Nielsen, Sophie Woge | PhD Fellow | +4535329947 |