University of Aarhus 2005
Brief description of new research centres
The Faculty of Health Sciences
MIND
In December 2005, a major five-year grant from the Lundbeck Foundation made it possible to establish MIND, a research centre based at the Institute of Medical Biochemistry. MIND stands for Membrane Receptors in Neuronal Disease and refers to a new family of receptors (Vps10p-domain receptors) primarily found in nerve cells. These receptors were originally discovered at the Institute of Medical Biochemistry and have since been found to play a role in processes controlling nerve cell death and degeneration.
The activities at the new centre aim to explain the molecular and physiological function of the receptor family. At the University of Aarhus, MIND is the centre for research ranging from pure basic research to genetically modified animal models and analyses on patients. The close contact between researchers creates an environment that promotes the exchange of ideas and tools between very diverse groups. The intention is that the centre should constitute an ideal starting point for cross-disciplinary use of techniques and expertise. In other words, it is to form the basis of a thorough gene-to-patient analysis of receptor functions in neurons and nerve tissue, and – ultimately – their importance for the development of disease. In addition to this scientific discovery programme, the centre also has the important task of creating an integrated network of international working partners and guest researchers. Finally, MIND aims to function as a basis for a broad multi-disciplinary degree programme for researchers within Protein Biology, Cell Biology and Neurobiology. Claus Munck Petersen is the centre director.
The Faculty of Science
Centre for mRNP Biogenesis and Metabolism
The centre was established by the Danish National Research Foundation. The purpose of the centre is to study how a cell’s gene expression is regulated at the level of messenger ribonucleoprotein particles (mRNPs). The research assumes an evolutionary perspective, using test organisms such as bacteria, viruses, yeasts and human cells. Advanced structural biology methods are also used to understand the organisation and structure of the mRNP particles that control the function of these organisms. The centre consists of nine researcher groups from the University of Aarhus, the University of Southern Denmark and CNRS, Gif-sur-Yvette, Paris, as well as a number of Danish and foreign working partners. Associate Professor Torben Heick Jensen is the centre director.
The Centre for mRNP Biogenesis and Metabolism’s logo.
The edge of the logo portrays the experimental systems used at the centre: viruses, bacteria, yeasts and human cells.
Centre for Theory in Natural Science
The purpose of establishing the Centre for Theory in Natural Science was to strengthen basic frontline research in scientific theory at the University of Aarhus. As a supplement to the existing strong research work carried out at the different institutes and departments, the centre wishes to stimulate new cross-disciplinary collaboration between the institutes. The centre will also be open to contact with other faculties.
A visible, cross-disciplinary theoretical environment will also help attract foreign researchers and will be an advantage when participating in EU applications. In addition to the professional opportunities, the centre will also have a social and political function for the theoretical researcher. In fact, the association with the centre “protects” the researcher against being overlooked in the future planning of the institutes. Professor Klaus Mølmer is the centre director.
Centre for Oxygen Microscopy and Imaging (COMI)
The centre was established by the Danish National Research Foundation. COMI has an extensive programme for the development of methods for direct time and space-neutral detection of oxygen in phase-separated systems and their use in biological systems and polymers. The key areas comprise photodynamic cancer therapy, intracellular and intercellular signal processes and heterogeneous barrier polymers. Professor Peter R Ogilby is the centre director.
Image of a phase-separated polymer blend based on a reactive oxygen species, singlet oxygen. The image shows the concentration profile of singlet oxygen in this heterogeneous medium.
Logo of the Centre for Oxygen Microscopy and Imaging (COMI).
Centre for Insoluble Protein Structures (inSPIN)
The centre was established by the Danish National Research Foundation, and its mission is to develop and subsequently apply new methods for the study of the structure and function of insoluble proteins. The primary focus is on membrane proteins, fibrillating proteins and extracellular matrix proteins. To achieve this objective, the centre combines NMR Spectroscopy, Organic Chemistry, Molecular Biology and Biophysics in one combined research activity. The centre director is Professor Niels Christian Nielsen, assisted by researcher groups from the Department of Chemistry, the Department of Molecular Biology and the University of Aalborg.