Genetics researcher is new professor with special responsibilities (MSO) at AU
Jacob Giehm Mikkelsen has just been appointed professor with special responsibilities (MSO) at the Department of Biomedicine, Aarhus University. He conducts research into how genetic defects cause diseases and into the development of methods for repairing defective genes.
Why do genetic defects cause diseases? And how can genetic defects be treated, so that they do not develop into diseases? These are the subjects of Jacob Giehm Mikkelsen’s research. He is the new professor with special responsibilities (MSO) at the Department of Biomedicine, Aarhus University.
"The professorship is a major recognition of my work and my contribution to research and education. This research should result in improved treatment, which can in the future make a difference for patients with serious, genetically determined diseases," says Jacob Giehm Mikkelsen.
The research team is working on a wide range of genetically determined diseases. These include haemophilia and hereditary angioedema, but also psoriasis, arteriosclerosis, diabetes, and various cancer types. The researchers have particular focus on how viruses that are tailor-made to transfer genes can be used in the examination and treatment of such genetically determined diseases.
Treating genetic defects by altering the genome
Genetic defects occur in the genome. Jacob Giehm Mikkelsen examines how genetic defects can be treated. By studying the HIV virus, his research team has found a method that can at the same time cut out the section of the genome that is broken and contains the genetic defects, and also patch the hole that arises in the genetic information which they have removed from the cell.
"But if we are to continue to reveal the secrets of our genes, it is crucial for us to be able to precisely and efficiently introduce alterations in the genome and to study the significance of these. Many serious diseases are genetically determined, so this research can therefore benefit a large number of patients," explains the researcher.
Jacob Giehm Mikkelsen has a PhD in molecular biology from Aarhus University. He has worked as a postdoc at Stanford University School of Medicine, California, USA, and for the past 12 years he has been affiliated with the Department of Biomedicine, Aarhus University. In 2015 he was named PhD supervisor of the year at Health, Aarhus University. Jacob Giehm Mikkelsen lives together with his wife and two children in Silkeborg, Denmark.
You can find out more about Giehm Mikkelsen's research in the article: HIV kan klippe-klistre i arvemassen. (in Danish).
Further information
Professor with special responsibilities (MSO), PhD Jacob Giehm Mikkelsen
Department of Biomedicine, Aarhus University
Direct tel.: (+45) 8716 7767
Mobile: (+45) 2361 7253
giehm@biomed.au.dk