Aim
To find new drug targets in relation to smooth muscle cells for the treatment of atherosclerosis.
Approach
The THOR project team started out by identifying human genes linked to atherosclerosis before they filtered out the genes that were related to cholesterol. From this list, the genes that were expressed predominantly in smooth muscle cells were selected for knockdown studies in cell culture assays with smooth muscle cells steered into atherosclerosis-relevant phenotypes.
Outcome
During the project (2021–2023), the THOR team combined human genetic studies with functional analyses of smooth muscle cells to identify candidate genes and biological pathways involved in the development of atherosclerosis. These findings provide a valuable resource for understanding the role of smooth muscle cells in disease progression and highlight potential new targets for future anti-atherosclerotic therapies.
On this page you can watch a video recorded at the beginning of the THOR project. You can also read an article about the project's output.
THE THOR TEAM
Academic team members
- Jacob Fog Bentzon, Professor, Aarhus University
- Mette Nyegaard, Professor, Aalborg University
- Julian Albarrán-Juárez, Asst. Professor, Aarhus University
- Anton Markov, postdoc, Aarhus University
- Lisa Maria Røge
- Sidsel Hauge Bøttcher
Industrial team members
- Michael Nyberg, Novo Nordisk
- Giulia Borghetti, Novo Nordisk
- Kate Herum, Novo Nordisk
- Anna Uryga, Novo Nordisk
- Julian Bachmann, Novo Nordisk
- Djorde Djordevic, Novo Nordisk
- Line Jessen, Novo Nordisk
PUBLICATIONS FROM THE THOR PROJECT
- Carramolino L, et al. 2024. Cholesterol lowering depletes atherosclerotic lesions of smooth muscle cell-derived fibromyocytes and chondromyocytes. Nat Cardiovasc Res. 3(2):203-220. doi: https://doi.org/10.1038/s44161-023-00412-w
- Albarrán-Juárez J, et al. 2025. Mapping atherogenesis mechanisms in smooth muscle cells by targeting genes linked to coronary artery disease. iScience. 28(11):113698. doi: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.isci.2025.113698
ABOUT ODIN
ODIN brings researchers from academia and industry together to co-create need-driven research projects that can lead to new treatments, diagnostics, tools, and technologies. We fund the strongest project ideas through competitive funding calls. Companies cannot receive ODIN funding, but participation is free of charge and gives access to academic expertise, new collaborations, and opportunities to explore early-stage research challenges.
ODIN is supported by the Novo Nordisk Foundation and the Lundbeck Foundation.
CONTACT ODIN
You are welcome to contact us if you have questions or comments. Reach out to odin@au.dk.
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.
