Michael Ploug

Ph.d., DSc.

Group Leader

Key Ressearch Interests
The research in my group is predominantly focused on structural and functional aspects of proteins involved in cellular invasion and matrix degradation. The cellular receptor for the urokinase-type plasminogen activator (uPAR) and its structural homologue C4.4A are presently being the primary components under study. The ultimate goal of these studies is elucidate the function of these proteins in vitro and in vivo and to develop methods of intervention that can be applied under certain pathological conditions.

Current projects
Biochemical characterization of various ligand interactions with uPAR studied by site-directed mutagenesis, surface plasmon resonance and hydrogen-deuterium exchange. Development, characterization and refinements of synthetic peptide antagonists of uPAR. Studies on the histopathological expression and prognostic impact of C4.4A in human cancer with particular emphasis on lung cancer.

External and Professional Activities
Oral presentations of research include invited talks at ISFP in 2002 and at the Gordon Research Conference on Plasminogen Activation & Extracellular Proteolysis, Ventura, California, 2006 and 2008. Member of the "Corps of External Examiners" at the Danish universities since 1994.

Career
Scientific degrees:
1986 Masters (Danish cand.scient.) degree in Biology, the University of Copenhagen.
1989 Ph.D. (Danish lic.scient.), the University of Copenhagen, the Faculty of Science, Central Institute of Molecular Biology.
2004 D.Sc. (Danish dr.scient. degree), the University of Copenhagen, the Faculty of Science, Institute of Molecular Biology.Appointments

1986 - 1989
Fellowship for Ph.D. project from the University of Copenhagen, the Faculty of Science. Research location: Institute of Biochemical Genetics, the University of Copenhagen.

1989 - 1990
Assistant scientist, the Finsen Laboratory, Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen.

1991 - 1996
Two consecutive personal Senior Research Fellowships from the Danish Cancer Society to conduct research at the Finsen Laboratory, Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen.

1997 - present
Research leader (Tenure position) at the Finsen Laboratory, Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen.