Kenneth Lindegaard Madsen

Short presentation

My research addresses fundamental aspects of basic pharmacology, molecular pharmacology and neuropharmacology, with certain potential translational parts. The work is divided into three Work Packages each containing a number of specific projects. Work Package 1 is focused on the pharmacology of PSD95/Disc-large/ZO-1 homology (PDZ) mediated proteins-protein interaction and how these domains might represent new attractive pharmacological targets as alternatives to surface receptors. Work Package 2 will seek to explore the controversial idea that trafficking of receptors and transporters, which in many cases is strongly integrated with their pharmacology, is determined not only by protein-protein interactions, but also by yet unappreciated protein-lipid interactions that govern localization of the receptors and transporters to areas of high membrane curvature in the plasma membrane. Work Package 3 is aimed at obtaining fundamental new understanding of dopamine signaling processes in the brain. Evidently, this has broad pharmacotherapeutic perspectives given the key role of dysfunctional dopamine signaling in many brain disease including schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, ADHD, Parkinsons’ Disease and drug abuse.

Primary fields of research

Signalling and Scaffolding Processes

Molecular Aspects of Synaptic Plasticity

Addiction

PDZ domains

BAR domains

Protein Lipid Interactions

CV

2013-  Associate professor, Molecular Neuropharmacology group. Department of Pharmacology and Neuroscience,  Faculty  of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen

2010-13: Post Doc, Molecular Neuropharmacology group. Professor, M.D. Ulrik Gether, at Department of Pharmacology and Neuroscience,  Faculty  of Health and Medical  Sciences, University of Copenhagen. Fellowship from FSS  - Jan 2010    Paternity leave (3 month)

2008-10: Post Doc, Molecular Neuropharmacology group, funded by KU Programme of Excellence in‘Biomolecular scaffolding of neurotransmitter transporters and receptors’.

2005-08: PhD thesis studies, Molecular Neuropharmacology group

May 2008  PhD degree from the Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Copenhagen

                          PhD thesis: ‘Structure and Function of the PICK1 PDZ and BAR Domain

2004-05: Research Assistant, Molecular Neuropharmacology Group

2002-04: Master degree, Biochemistry , Molecular Neuropharmacology Group, Supervisor: Professor, M.D. Ulrik Gether.

Mar. 2004:  Cand. scient. (M.Sc.) in Biochemistry at University of Copenhagen. Average grade: 11.1

1998-2001: Bachelor degree, Biochemistry, University of Copenhagen.

Sep. 2001: Bachelor degree in Biochemistry, University of Copenhagen. Project at Skt. Hans Hospital, Institute for Biological Psychiatry.

                       Supervisor: Research Director Thomas Werge.

1994-97: Geography studies, University of Copenhagen

Jun 1997: Bachelor degree in geography , University of Copenhagen