News from the Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences – University of Copenhagen

Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences

Climate crisis pressures the ‘Arctic giant’: Habitats risk disappearing completely

Climate change poses a serious threat to the habitats of the bowhead whale, which may shrink by up to 75 percent by the end of the century.

New Danish-led research initiative:

One step closer to the world’s first hepatitis C vaccine

A Grand Solutions Grant worth DKK 15.7 million from Innovation Fund Denmark will help bring groundbreaking Danish vaccine candidate to clinical trials.

Newly discovered ‘molecular fingerprints’ could transform diabetes treatment and diagnosis

Unprecedented insights into insulin resistance could pave the way for better treatments and earlier detection of type 2 diabetes.

Researchers map 7,000-year-old genetic mutation that protects against HIV

Modern HIV medicine is based on a common genetic mutation. Now, researchers have traced where and when the mutation arose.

Eske Willerslev and team link Native American community to their ancestors through ancient DNA

Researchers help the Native American Picuris Pueblo people uncovering their history using ancient DNA. Their research connects the Picuris Pueblo not only to their ancestors but also to the UNESCO World Heritage site of…

Chronic headache, ADHD, Alzheimer’s and psychosis: Young researchers at SUND receive large grants

10 young researchers conducting brain research at the Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences have received funding from the Lundbeck Foundation LF Postdocs and Early-Career Clinician Scientists programmes.

Researchers create ‘super stem cells’, seeing potential for improved fertility treatment

The ‘super stem cells’ perform better than regular stem cells, being able to develop into many different cell types, researchers from the University of Copenhagen find.

New research reveals how cancer drugs impact cells at the molecular level

A University of Copenhagen study uncovers intricate details about protein function at the molecular level. The discovery could transform disease diagnostics and treatment.

Eat healthy in midlife to increase your chances of a healthy old age

Particularly, a plant-based diet with a low to moderate intake of healthy animal proteins is associated with healthy aging.

antibiotic resistance

Researchers raise the alarm: Antibiotic resistance can spread unpredictably into the environment

Researchers from the University of Copenhagen have learned that antibiotic resistant DNA can survive on the surface of minerals such as sand or clay, and this may increase the spread of antibiotic resistance from animal…

University of Copenhagen awarded major grant to strengthen health professions education and reduce inequality in health

The Department of Public Health and the Centre for Online and Blended Learning have been awarded a DKK 52.9 million grant by the Novo Nordisk Foundation to develop health capacity in India and Kenya.

Danes find it hard to talk about sex: How to boost the conversation through science

A quarter of the Danish population find it difficult to talk about sex. Our inability to talk about it is bad for our sexual health and enjoyment of life in general – but all’s not lost, says a researcher.

Paracetamol’s mystery unfolded as researchers identify blood vessel metabolism

A study in rats discovers a new way paracetamol is metabolized in the body, providing crucial insights to safer use of the drug in hospital.

Ancient pollen may be a key to protecting nature in the future

The Villum Foundation funds a SUND project investigating the impact of climate change on a vital natural phenomenon known as mass flowering.

SUND researcher receives major prize for his innovative cancer research and use of AI

Professor and Senior Consultant Ismail Gögenur receives the 2025 Marie and August Krogh Prize for his innovative approach and enormous contribution to cancer research.

AI, schizophrenia and Parkinson’s: Brain research at SUND receives major grants

Two neuroscience research projects at SUND receive grants from the Lundbeck Foundation. A total of nine researchers are a part of four supported projects.

Eske Willerslev found the past in two grams of soil. His finding gives us a window into the future

As a student, Professor Eske Willerslev had an idea: He wanted to extract DNA directly from the soil. This has led to major scientific breakthroughs and an entire new research field, eDNA, for which he now receives one…

Diabetes and hormone disorder research receives millions in funding

The Danish Diabetes and Endocrine Academy supports new research into diabetes and hormone-related research at SUND.

New effective treatment for deadly cancer may be on its way

A new advanced form of treatment for one of the deadliest cancers worldwide, pancreatic cancer, may be on its way, research from the University of Copenhagen and Rigshospitalet shows. It has the potential to increase…

New research lighthouse to focus on developing better food and medicine

Researchers at the University of Copenhagen and Aarhus University receive DKK 39.4 million to establish a new research center focusing on the potential of neutron-based methods to revolutionize pharmaceutical and food…

Textbooks need to be rewritten: RNA, not DNA, is the main cause of acute sunburn

Sunburn has traditionally been attributed to UV-induced DNA damage. However, a new study by the University of Copenhagen and Nanyang Technological University, Singapore, reveals that RNA, another vital cellular molecule…