Two top metabolism researchers moving to Denmark

Tamas L. Horvath, Yale University School of Medicine, United States and Lars Nielsen, University of Queensland, Australia will move their research operations to Denmark in the coming years, having each received a 7-year Novo Nordisk Foundation Laureate Research Grant of DKK 40 million (€5.5 million).

The aim of the grants, which have been awarded through international competition, is to bring some of the world’s best researchers within biomedicine and biotechnology to Denmark and thereby strengthen Danish research.

Lars Nielsen is one of the foremost researchers in developing tools for analysing and designing complex biological systems, and will be based at the Technical University of Denmark (DTU) in Hørsholm. The primary goal of his research funded by the Laureate Research Grant will be to produce comprehensive models for explaining a major change in the metabolism of cancer cells, which also occur when culturing mammalian cells in the laboratory. Lars Nielsen is joining the staff of the Novo Nordisk Foundation Center for Biosustainability, DTU.

"The grant will enable me to establish a strong core team focused on how to model cell metabolism," says Lars Nielsen.

“The Novo Nordisk Foundation Center for Biosustainability has created a unique research model that gathers global leaders in metabolic engineering to develop novel strategies that accelerate and reduce the cost of building cell biofactories,” he adds.

This is the first time that one of these substantial Novo Nordisk Foundation grants is awarded to a biotechnology researcher

Multidisciplinary approach

Thomas L. Horvath is a leading international authority in neurology and comes from a position as professor and programme director at Yale University School of Medicine. He is joining the staff of the University of Copenhagen and will be working at the Novo Nordisk Foundation Center for Basic Metabolic Research and in association with the Department of Neuroscience and Pharmacology.

Tamas L. Horvath will be taking a multidisciplinary approach in investigating how the brain communicates with other organs and tissues to regulate the body’s metabolism. The brain plays a key role but is also controlled by other organs such as muscles, the pancreas and the liver. Developing new therapies for metabolic disease requires understanding the interaction between the brain and other organs in both disease and health.

“The grant enables me to pursue out-of-the-box ideas to benefit people with metabolic disorders,” says Tamas L. Horvath.

“Many faculty members of the University of Copenhagen are pioneers in discovering the molecular principles of energy and glucose metabolism. Being able to work and synergize with these remarkable scientists will provide the opportunity to develop treatments for metabolic disorders,” he adds.

Seven grants awarded

This is the third time the Novo Nordisk Foundation has awarded Laureate Research Grants. Seven internationally leading researchers have received a grant and have moved or will move their research activities to Denmark.

Birgitte Nauntofte, CEO of the Novo Nordisk Foundation, says:

“It is valuable for Denmark that we can attract top researchers such as Tamas L. Horvath and Lars Nielsen. The presence of leading international names will both raise the quality of Danish research and inspire young talented researchers.”