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
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.
