Expertises

Human cell cultures (maintaining cell cultures; cytotoxixity and proliferation assays); flow cytometry; qPCR analysis (gene and miRNA expression analysis); immunohistochemistry for diagnostic purposes (tissue sectioning - microtome, staining and mounting); immunological assays (Western blot, ELISA); in vitro plant cultures (plant micropropagation, transformation with the use of Agrobacterium sp.)

Main research areas

molecular biology; cell signaling; apoptosis; cancer; cancer therapy; cutaneous T-cell lymphoma

Current research

For the last seven years I have been involved in several projects in the Department of Dermatology, Bispebjerg Hospital, aiming at the development of new strategies in the therapy of cutaneous T-cell lymphoma (CTCL).

One approach we took was to exploit the role of Notch1 pathway in CTCL. Our aim was to study the effect of chemotherapeutics (doxorubicin, etoposide or gemcitabine ) and irradiation modalities (gamma-irradiation, psoralen plus UVA ) on the Notch 1 receptor and its downstream targets expression.. Also, we have exploited the role of several microRNAs (such as miR-125b and miR-122) in CTCL.

Currently I am working on a project regarding the role chemical inhibitors of proteins involved in DNA signaling and repair, with a special focus on compounds blocking the activity of Ataxia Telangiectasia and Rad3 related kinase (ATR). An interesting aspect of this project is utilizing the dual role of some of the investigated compounds – as chemical blockers and photosensitizers.

Potential conflicts of interest

None.