We use studies on human cells (in vitro) and other lab work to predict how and why xenobiotics cause toxicity. This helps prevent or improve harmful side effects when it is applied in people (clinical data)
In our laboratory, vi specialize in the following in vitro methods:
- Human induced pluripotent stem cells. These are differentiated into specific tissues (e.g., sensory neurons) to study drug toxicity.
- CRISPR to modulate gene expression. CRISPR is used to generate stably modified gene expression and for CRISPR screens.
- Primary human hepatocytes. 3D primary human hepatocytes are used to study xenobiotic toxicity (e.g., PFAS) or drug metabolism.
- Analytical chemistry. We are specialized in measuring small molecule drugs and matrices such as cell culture medium and both human and animal samples ranging from blood to organs.
Along with our clinical collaborators we specialize in the following clinical methods:
Patient studies
- Biomarker validation
- Pharmacogenetic studies
- Patient-derived iPSC
Healthy volunteer studies
- Pharmacokinetics
- Drug metabolism
- Biomarkers
Recently, we were involved in the discovery of neurofilament light chain as a translational biomarker of chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy (Mortensen et al. 2023, Pain). We also led translational efforts to uncover isoxazolyl penicillins as inducers of drug metabolism (Iversen et al. 2023, Clinical Pharmacology and Therapeutics).