Aarhus professor focuses on genetic diseases

The newly appointed researcher in genetics, Lone Sunde, conducts research into how genes can be turned on and off. More specifically, how some genes are turned on or off depending on whether they originate from the mother or father. She is now tenured in a shared position as Professor with special responsibilities (MSO) in medical genetics at Aarhus University and as a consultant at Aarhus University Hospital.

“My research team and I study genes which are only used if they are inherited from either the father or the mother. They play an important role, among other things in relation to abortions, childlessness and a special form of cancer, which develops from cells in the placenta. In addition, we research into the so-called molar pregnancy. This is a rare type of pregnancy in which there is an irregularity in the number of genes that originate from the father and the mother. With a molar pregnancy there is not a normal foetus and the risk of cancer in the placenta is high. We also carry out research into families with many cases of cancer,” says Lone Sunde.

Better opportunities for treatment

Lone Sunde and her research group’s results provide an opportunity for more individual prevention of diseases or treatment of patients. This concerns in particular couples who experience problems during pregnancy, women with the rare cancer of the placenta, as well as families in which many members are afflicted with cancer.

With a position as tenured Professor with special responsibilities (MSO) at Aarhus University, Lone Sunde is helping to build bridges between theory and practice. And this is an important part of the professorship.

“The connection between basic research and the clinic is important, because it means that the new knowledge benefits patients quicker. At the same time, it is important to give the researchers an insight into the clinic. Here there are research topics and valuable research material that can form the basis of relevant research,” explains Lone Sunde.

She was born on 30 April, 1956 and lives in Risskov, Aarhus.

Further information

Professor with special responsibilities (MSO), Medical Specialist, PhD Lone Sunde
Aarhus University, Department of Biomedicine and
Aarhus University Hospital, Department of Clinical Genetics
Direct tel: +45 4014 4364
lonsunde@rm.dk