Experimental Neurobiology

Main responsible: Jens D. Mikkelsen

At the Neurobiology Laboratory we work with different animal models (experimental and transgenic), cell cultures (organotypic and primary hippocampal cultures and different transfected cell lines) and human material to elucidate the role of the serotonergic system in neuropsychiatric and neurodegenerative diseases like depression and Alzheimer.

We make use of several techniques including fluorescence immunohistochemistry, confocal microscopy, autoradiography, receptor binding studies, PCR, Western blot and ELISA. The NRU lab is allocated in a separate building close to NRU’s main building. Through a well established collaboration with adjacent groups at Rigshospitalet and the Faculty of Medicine, as well as with some pharmaceutical companies and several international groups, we have access to additional animal models, techniques and expertise.

The aim of the Neurobiology Laboratory is to create a two-way bridge between basal experimental research and the clinical projects carried out at NRU. Weekly meetings, translational PhD projects and close interaction between the research staff create a dynamic forum where ideas that range from the basal to the clinical neuroscience are exchanged and discussed.

Examples of recent publications:

  • Thomsen MS, Arvaniti M, Jensen MM, Shulepko MA, Dolgikh DA, Pinborg LH, Härtig W, Lyukmanova EN, Mikkelsen JD. Lynx1 and Aβ1-42 bind competitively to multiple nicotinic acetylcholine receptor subtypes. Neurobiol Aging. 2016 Jun 17;46:13-21
  • Henningsen JB, Poirel VJ, Mikkelsen JD, Tsutsui K, Simonneaux V, Gauer F. Sex differences in the photoperiodic regulation of RF-amide related peptide (RFRP) and its receptor GPR147 in the Syrian hamster. J Comp Neurol. 2016 Jun 15;524(9):1825-38
  • Donat CK, Gaber K, Meixensberger J, Brust P, Pinborg LH, Hansen HH, Mikkelsen JD. Changes in Binding of [123I]CLINDE, a High-Affinity Translocator Protein 18 kDa (TSPO) Selective Radioligand in a Rat Model of Traumatic Brain Injury. Neuromolecular Med. 2016 Jun;18(2):158-69
  • Lyukmanova EN, Shulepko MA, Kudryavtsev D, Bychkov ML, Kulbatskii DS, Kasheverov IE, Astapova MV, Feofanov AV, Thomsen MS, Mikkelsen JD, Shenkarev ZO, Tsetlin VI, Dolgikh DA, Kirpichnikov MP. Human Secreted Ly-6/uPAR Related Protein-1 (SLURP-1) Is a Selective Allosteric Antagonist of α7 Nicotinic Acetylcholine Receptor. PLoS One. 2016 Feb 23;11(2):e0149733
  • Salaga M, Blomster LV, Piechota-Polańczyk A, Zielińska M, Jacenik D, Cygankiewicz AI, Krajewska WM, Mikkelsen JD, Fichna J. Encenicline, an α7 Nicotinic Acetylcholine Receptor Partial Agonist, Reduces Immune Cell Infiltration in the Colon and Improves Experimental Colitis in Mice. J Pharmacol Exp Ther. 2016 Jan;356(1):157-69