Prof. Rikard Holmdahl granted DKK 5.9 million by Novo Nordisk Foundation

Professor Rikard Holmdahl, at the Department of Medical Biochemistry and Biophysics, has been granted DKK 5.9 million by the Novo Nordisk Foundation for research on developing a new type of vaccine to treat autoimmune diseases.

Rikard's lab has studied for many years with the focus to develop new early treatments for rheumatoid arthritis, by identifying the major genes in both humans and in experimental mouse models. Based on findings of a key role of major histocompatibility complex type II (MHCII) genes regulating the T cell response, the NCF1 gene regulating the oxidative response, and CLEC4, a family of C type lectin receptor genes, they aim to develop a new type of vaccine with the potential to prevent and cure the development of autoimmune disease.