Explore our grantees and awardees

Grant category: LEO Foundation Visiting Researchers

Year: 2025

Geography: Denmark

This project proposes to develop an all-in-one wearable patch consisting of microneedles, microfluidics, and CRISPR assays with an electrochemical readout for diagnosis and treatment monitoring of psoriasis. The microneedles will be used for ISF sampling to access nucleic acids, which are driven through the microfluidic channels to the CRISPR-system, and their quick, on-body detection without any target amplification. During the research visit, Santanu Patra will build microneedles and an electrochemical readout at DTU, then combine them with the microfluidics and CRISPR assays at MIBE/TUM with Prof. Can Dincer and then work with Prof. Alexander Zink at TUM Dermatology on patient sample analysis in the next phase. The grant will support collaboration between DTU and TUM, which will foster technology exchange and knowledge sharing to develop a working prototype with patient data demonstrating the real-time applicability of the patch for personalized psoriasis monitoring, and potential extension to other inflammatory skin diseases.

Grant category: LEO Foundation Visiting Researchers

Year: 2025

Geography: Peru

When skin becomes chronically inflamed, the immune system can form specialized deposits of immune cells called tertiary lymphoid structures to produce defenses and activate immune cells. However, the characteristics and function of these structures remain poorly understood in chronic skin infections caused by viruses, such as Hydroa Vacciniforme (by Epstein-Barr virus) and Infective Dermatitis (by Human T-cell Leukemia virus type I). Moreover, these structures may paradoxically worsen inflammation over time or contribute to cancer transformation. During his visit to the LEO Foundation Skin Immunology Research Center at the University of Copenhagen, Daniel Jair Enriquez Vera will leverage advanced lab methods and imaging techniques to understand these structures in collaboration with Peruvian institutions. This visit aims to characterize these structures, ultimately leading to the discovery of new ways to predict cancer transformation and new treatments to control their function during viral infection.

Grant category: LEO Foundation Visiting Researchers

Year: 2025

Geography: Germany

Chronic and infected wounds remain a major challenge, often leading to delayed healing and extensive antibiotic use. The purpose of this project is to develop smart wound dressings made of nanofibers that mimic the skin’s natural extracellular matrix and contain thermotropic liquid crystals. When the wound temperature rises due to infection, these materials respond by changing color and releasing antibiotics. During a six-month research stay at the University of Copenhagen’s LEO Foundation Center for Cutaneous Drug Delivery, Dr. Mariia Nesterkina will combine expertise in liquid crystals and nanofiber technology to design, fabricate and test these infection-sensitive scaffolds. The expected output is a proof-of-concept wound dressing that both promotes healing and visibly indicates infection, offering a patient-friendly approach to reduce unnecessary antibiotic use and improve wound care.

Grant category: LEO Foundation Visiting Researchers

Year: 2025

Geography: Denmark

Patients with skin and joint disease often do not respond well to therapy, particularly if they suffer from calcium stones associated with conditions like scleroderma and psoriatic arthritis. Associate Professor Mette Mogensen will go on a three-month research stay at Leeds Institute of Rheumatic and Musculoskeletal Medicine, UK, famous for its valuable research in medical imaging. Subsequently, she will travel to Lund University’s Clinical Center for Spectral and Acoustic Imaging, well-known for exceptional molecular imaging of blood vessels. During these stays, she will gain unique clinical experience in dermato-rheumatology and novel experimental imaging technologies. Through advanced scans of skin and joints, it is possible to observe how severe inflammation leads to formation of new blood vessels and development of hard, painful calcium stones in skin and joints. According to our on-going research, the key to understanding these disease mechanisms lies in mastering innovative scanning methods.

Grant category: LEO Foundation Visiting Researchers

Year: 2025

Geography: Denmark

Hidradenitis suppurativa (HS) is a painful, long-lasting skin condition that is hard to diagnose and treat. Patients experience a cycle of blocked hair follicles that eventually burst, leading to repeated inflammation and damage. This ongoing injury alters the skin’s structure, creating large permanent scars in intimate areas. Max Sauerland’s research project studies proteins in skin and blood from over 150 HS patients using an innovative biochemical method that extracts data on thousands of proteins from very small samples. By analyzing how these proteins break down, Max and his colleagues aim to find unique markers that help doctors diagnose HS quickly and choose the best treatment. Computer algorithms will sort patients by their protein “fingerprints,” paving the way for personalized care. Ultimately, their work could lead to a fast, simple test not only for HS but also for other similar or rare skin conditions.

The research visit takes place at Universitätsklinikum Freiburg, Germany.

Grant category: LEO Foundation Visiting Researchers

Year: 2025

Geography: Spain

Hyaluronic acid (HA) is a naturally abundant molecule in the human body, with approximately half of its total amount found in the skin, where it plays a critical role in maintaining hydration and viscoelasticity. Cutibacterium acnes, a common skin bacterium predominantly found on the upper body, is generally beneficial to the skin. However, certain strains of C. acnes are capable of inducing inflammation and are linked to acne vulgaris. These strains exhibit HA-degrading activity via the enzyme hylA, which leads to the production of proinflammatory HA fragments.

The proposal hypothesizes that reprogramming C. acnes from a HA-degrading bacterium to a HA-synthesizing one could not only reduce its virulence but also enhance its skin-beneficial functions. To test this, the applicant and the collaborators at AU will create a hylA knock-out strain of C. acnes, replacing the hylA gene with a highly active HA synthase, that has been successfully utilized as a recombinant enzyme for HA synthesis in mice.

The repurposed C. acnes strain will be evaluated in vitro for its (anti-)inflammatory effects on skin cells and in vivo on mouse skin for its engraftment potential and its impact on skin barrier function.

The outcomes of this project may form the basis for exploring the potential of engineered probiotic strains with enhanced host-beneficial properties, ultimately contributing to improved health span.