Gunilla Høyer-Hansen

Ph.d.

Group leader

Key research interests
My laboratory develops monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) against both human and murine proteins involved in pericellular proteolysis. The mAbs are used for functional studies and experimental therapy. In addition we design quantitative immunoassays and measure these components in cancer patient samples and correlate their levels with clinical data.

Current projects
Development and characterization of mAbs against murine MMP9, MMP13, urokinase plasminogen activator (uPA) and uPA receptor (uPAR). In vivo effect of inhibitory mAbs on different tissue remodelling processes in mice, including both normal physiological and pathological conditions. Development and characterization of mAbs against cleaved forms of human uPAR. Prognostic impact of uPAR forms in different cancer forms. Diagnostic and/or predictive value of cleaved uPAR forms in different types of cancer.The mechanisms of cleavage and shedding of uPAR.

External and professional activities
1994 - present:
Member of the corps of external examiners in biology at Danish Universities.

2000 - 2006: Member of the scientific selection committee of the Danish Cancer Research Foundation.

2004 - 2008: Cluster Leader in the project: "Extracellular Proteases and the Cancer Degradome: Innovative Diagnostic Markers, Therapeutic Targets and Tumour Imaging Agents" supported by the EU FP6 programme.

2008 - 2012: Partner in the MICROENVIMET project supported by the EU FP7 programme.

Career
Scientific degrees:
1974: Cand. scient. in Biochemistry, University of Copenhagen.
1980: Ph.D. in Genetics, University of Copenhagen.

1974-1976: Research assistant, Institute of Genetics, Copenhagen University
1976-1980: Research assistant, Carlsberg Laboratory.
1980-1989: Post doc. Carlsberg Laboratory.
1989 - present: Research leader at the Finsen Laboratory, Rigshospitalet.