Dermatology Research Across Multiple Disciplines (DREAM)
Grantee: Aarhus University and Aarhus University Hospital
Amount: DKK 11,989,450
Grant category: Standalone grants
Year: 2025
Geography: Denmark
The goal of DREAM (Dermatology Research Across Multiple Disciplines) is to unravel the complex mechanisms linking chronic inflammatory and autoimmune skin diseases to systemic complications. By identifying key factors that predict disease progression and multi-organ involvement, the aim is to enhance our ability to forecast individual disease trajectories.
The overall vision of DREAM is to uncover and solve leading research questions in dermatological and associated diseases using a systems medicine approach.
Novel methods and technologies: Spatial transcriptomics, wildlings and 3D skin models
Grantee: University of Copenhagen
Amount: DKK 18,908,400
Grant category: Standalone grants
Year: 2025
Geography: Denmark
Through this grant the LEO Foundation Skin Immunology Research Center is expanding its scientific and technological capabilities by incorporating three new areas of expertise:
- Spatial transcriptomics (in collaboration with the Novo Nordisk Foundation Center for Basic Metabolic Research (CBMR))
- Establishment of an animal facility for “wildlings” – a special type of laboratory mice that contain a – controlled – level of microorganisms which make them more akin to real-world animals and provides a more natural model, in particular for interactions with and responses from the immune system.
- Establishment of advanced 3D skin models for experiments building on genetic manipulation of specific cell types from the skin.
Each area is carefully selected to strengthen the center’s focus on performing frontier research within barrier immunology.