The ADIPOTECH project (2025 - 2028) aims to develop physiologically relevant 3D adipose tissue organoids that overcome the limitations of traditional 2D models, thereby improving preclinical predictability and translation to clinical outcomes.
The ADIPOTECH team is developing advanced 3D co-culture systems to recreate the complex cellular environment of human adipose tissue (AT). The project combines adipocytes with immune cells, endothelial cells, and neurons to model key interactions that drive AT function and dysfunction in metabolic disease. Using stepwise work packages, the team will first establish adipocyte–immune, adipocyte–endothelial, and adipocyte–neuron co-cultures, before integrating all cell types into a single multi-cellular 3D model. This will result in the first comprehensive in vitro model of human AT, enabling mechanistic studies and drug discovery targeting AT inflammation, vascular and neural regulation, and cardiometabolic disorders such as obesity, type 2 diabetes, and atherosclerosis.
THE ADIPOTECH TEAM
Academic team members
Zach Gerhart-Hines, Associate Professor, University of Copenhagen
- Head of ADIPOTECH
- Adipose tissue metabolism, genetic manipulation, and fat-nerve interactions
Carolina Hagberg, Associate Professor, Karolinska Institutet
- Vascularized adipose tissue organoids, and interaction between fat cells and blood vessels
Lucile Dollet, Assistant Professor, University of Copenhagen
- Adipose tissue immunometabolism, immune signaling, and cell–cell communication in adipose tissue
Industrial team member
- Thomas Åskov Pedersen, Senior Principal Scientist, Novo Nordisk
ABOUT ODIN
We unite bright minds from industry and academia to jointly create need-driven clinical research projects - and pave the way for innovative new treatments and diagnostics. We fund the best project ideas through competitive funding calls. Although companies cannot receive funding, it is free of charge to join.
The platform is sponsored by the Novo Nordisk Foundation with 180 million DKK from 2024-2029.
CONTACT ODIN
You are welcome to contact us if you have questions or comments. Reach out to odin@au.dk or find the Secretariat's direct email addresses under contacts.
Although the platform spans five Danish universities, we're based in Aarhus. Our office is located at Aarhus University, Ny Munkegade 116, Bldg 1535-117.
