Anna Juncker-Jensen

Ph.d. student

Key Research Interests
My research interest is focused on specific proteolytic enzymes and how these may mediate tissue remodelling and malignant invasion. Especially, the function of the matrix metalloproteinase (MMP) and the plasminogen activation (PA) family as well as any potential functional overlap between these two families.

Current Project
Cancer metastasis is dependent on proteolytic degradation of extracellular matrix barriers. Colleagues at the Finsen Laboratory have shown that metastasis is significantly decreased in mice deficient in the urokinase plasminogen activator (uPA). Based on non-neoplastic models we have demonstrated a functional overlap of the plasminogen activation (PA) and matrix metalloprotease (MMP) systems during embryo implantation and wound healing, and we now consider MMP-13 (collagenase 3) a likely candidate for a protease with a functional overlap with the PA system. I am currently testing the hypothesis that there is functional redundancy between MMP-13 and uPA. Firstly, in a cohort study, examining the development of the offspring from a cross between MMP-13 and uPA mice. Secondly, in connection to processes leading to healing of skin wounds, and finally, I will analyze a potential functional overlap between MMP-13 and uPA in the development of angiogensis and cancer invasion, using the chorioallantoic membrane (CAM) assay.

Career
Scientific degrees:
2003-2005: M.Sc.thesis student at Danish Cancer Society, Department of Endocrinology.
2005-2006: Scientific assistant at the Finsenlaboratory.
2007-present: Ph.d. student at the Finsenlaboratory.

From August 2008 to April 2009 I will be joining James Quigley´s group at the Scripps Research Institute in La Jolla, San Diego.