Skin Immunity and Disease: A Dedicated Research Networking Program at the 18th International Symposium on Dendritic Cells
Grantee: Professor Elina Zuniga, University of California, San Diego, United States
Amount: DKK 277,889
Grant category: Research Networking
Year: 2026
Geography: USA
The 18th International Symposium on Dendritic Cells (DC2026) will take place on October 11-14, 2026, in San Diego, USA. This international meeting brings together scientists and clinicians studying dendritic cells: immune cells that help the body decide when to fight infection or limit unnecessary inflammation. In the skin, dendritic cells play a particularly important role. The skin is the body’s largest immune organ and is constantly exposed to microbes, allergens, and environmental stress. When dendritic cell function is disturbed, it can lead to skin diseases such as psoriasis, dermatitis, infection, and skin cancer. With support from the LEO Foundation, DC2026 will include a dedicated skin-focused program with a plenary session, poster presentations, and networking activities. Funding will also support early-career researchers, helping them share new discoveries and build collaborations that advance skin health. More information: https://www.dc2026sandiego.com/
SID Resident and Post Doc Retreat/Young Investigator Event
Grantee: Society for Investigative Dermatology (SID)
Amount: EUR 25,000
Grant category: Research Networking
Year: 2026
Geography: USA
The Resident and Post Doc Retreat is a conference hosted by the Society for Investigative Dermatology (SID) each year since 2001. The program format provides a protected space in which residents can interact with senior faculty and established investigators for the purpose of fostering attendees’ interest in academic research careers. The program is a combination of formal lectures and presentations, informal discussions, brainstorming sessions and social activities. The retreat is held at the time of the SID annual meeting, which allows attendees to establish connections with each other, and to other meeting attendees. These social networks foster collegiality, collaborations, and appreciation for the creative, multidisciplinary nature of science and other productive interactions.
VEGF-A as a therapeutic target in pemphigoid
Grantee: Kyle Amber, Associate Professor, Rush University Medical Center, United States
Amount: DKK 3,872,028
Grant category: Research Grants
Year: 2026
Geography: USA
Bullous pemphigoid (BP) is a serious blistering skin disease usually treated with long courses of steroids, which can cause major side effects. Despite advances in treatment, therapy for acute disease still relies heavily on prolonged high-dose oral corticosteroids. We found that a molecule called VEGF-A—known for driving inflammation—is much higher in the blood, and skin of people with BP. VEGF-A also rises alongside many other inflammatory signals. Early experiments in mice show that blocking VEGF-A can make the disease noticeably less severe. This project will test whether targeting VEGF-A can quickly reduce skin involvement in relevant models of pemphigoid. We will also study whether VEGF-A made specifically by skin cells is a key trigger of inflammation, and whether blocking VEGF-A in the skin (including with topical treatments) can help. The goal is to determine if VEGF-A could be a new, fast-acting, steroid-sparing treatment for BP.
Prevention and Treatment of Atopic Dermatitis by RET Inhibition
Grantee: Carolyn Lee, Associate Professor, The University of Virginia, United States
Amount: DKK 3,999,301
Grant category: Research Grants
Year: 2026
Geography: USA
Atopic dermatitis (AD) is a chronic condition characterized by a weakened skin barrier, inflammation, and itch. Existing treatments mainly focus on relieving inflammation without directly addressing the skin barrier’s impairment. Our goal is to develop a topical treatment for AD that strengthens the skin barrier while reducing inflammation, an approach not previously explored. We recently discovered that a protein named RET is hyperactivated in AD, and inhibiting RET topically has shown promising results in enhancing the skin barrier and reducing inflammation. We hypothesize that topical RET inhibitors could effectively prevent and/or treat AD. Our proposal seeks to investigate how RET modulates skin barrier function and demonstrate the therapeutic effectiveness of topical RET inhibition using an established animal model that mimics human AD. This research is essential to fully explore RET as a therapeutic target in AD and advance the development of RET inhibitors for this condition.
Mechanistic and translational characterization of monocyte interferon programs in Behçet’s disease
Grantee: Amr Sawalha, Professor, University of Pittsburgh, United States
Amount: DKK 3,991,497
Grant category: Research Grants
Year: 2026
Geography: USA
Behçet’s disease is a chronic inflammatory condition that can affects the skin, mucous membranes, and multiple organs, and can be difficult to diagnose and treat. The immune mechanisms driving this disease are not well understood. Our research shows that a specific group of immune cells, called monocytes, are abnormally activated in Behçet’s disease, largely due to the action of interferon-gamma. This activation changes with treatment and differs across disease types, such as eye or blood vessel involvement. In this study, we will identify the signals that cause and sustain this abnormal immune response, develop blood-based markers to track disease activity and remission, and test whether blocking key inflammatory pathways can restore normal immune cell function. This work aims to improve disease monitoring and support the development of more targeted and effective treatments for patients with Behçet’s disease.