I am interested in immunology and renewal of immune active blood and I am studying this in marine invertebrates. I am also interested in the transmission pathways of pathogens from the marine environment to humans. Many pathogenic bacteria and viruses which are discharged into sea-water through our sewage systems seem to survive well in the marine environment.

Research about innate immunity and haematopoiesis
The main actors in our immune-defense are the circulating blood-cells, the leucocytes. In humans and other vertebrates, certain blood-cells can produce anti-bodies. The anti-bodies form a targeted defense which rapidly identifies intruders and activates the immune system. The blood-cells of invertebrates lack the capacity to produce anti-bodies but none the less, they have a very effective defense against viruses and bacteria, in some aspects better than that of humans. One such an example is the mussels which successfully can survive in highly polluted environments and consume large quantities of bacteria without being affected. The mode of actions of their antimicrobial substances may serve as templates for designing novel antibiotics, more suitable to prevent antibiotic resistance. Many invertebrates can also effectively heal wounds without causing infections. Starfish can e.g. loose arms without bleeding to death. They heal the wound rapidly and can even regenerate the lost arm. By studying the maturation of stem cells into blood-cells, their ability to combat microorganisms and their role in wound healing and regeneration, we aim to acquire new knowledge which can be used in biomedical sciences.

Ongoing research project: Protein expression during wound healing in the seastar Asterias rubens.