Explore our grantees and awardees

Grant category: Serendipity Grants

Year: 2025

Geography: Canada

Francesca Capon unexpectedly discovered that deleterious TCF3 mutations cause a severe form of atopic dermatitis (AD) associated with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). By querying large-scale genetic repositories, the project also observed that common TCF3 alleles are associated with susceptibility to AD and IBD in the general population. TCF3 encodes a transcription factor that plays a key role in T cell differentiation. Thus, the project hypothesizes that TCF3 mutations cause abnormal T cell activation, leading to skin and gut inflammation. Given severe AD is a risk factor for IBD, it is further proposed that the study of TCF3 mutations will shed new light on mechanisms that may underpin both conditions.

The aim of the study is to validate the involvement of TCF3 in the pathogenesis of AD and IBD. This will be achieved by identifying the immune pathways that are altered by TCF3 dysfunction in skin and gut. The plan integrates:
i) in-vitro studies to determine the impact of TCF3 mutations on protein function
ii) immune phenotyping of T cells from individuals harbouring TCF3 mutations
iii) in-silico analyses to define transcriptional networks driven by TCF3

The project expects to identify TCF3-dependent pathways contributing to AD and IBD pathogenesis. This will shed new light on shared disease mechanisms with potential to inform targeted treatment of individuals affected by both conditions.

Grant category: Serendipity Grants

Year: 2025

Geography: USA

Hailey-Hailey disease (HHD) is a rare genetic disorder causing recurrent skin blistering and infections. Despite linkage to heterozygous (HET) mutations depleting the SPCA1 Golgi calcium pump 25 years ago, HHD lacks proven therapies. Cory Simpson’s LEO-funded research using in vitro HHD models led to two serendipitous discoveries that fuel this grant: (1) a JNK inhibitor intended as a negative control markedly strengthened adhesion among HET keratinocytes; (2) this led them to re-analyze RNAseq data, which revealed an overlooked aberration that may make HHD patients susceptible to pathogens like herpes simplex virus (HSV). Previously they focused on upregulated pathways amenable to drug inhibition; re-examining downregulated genes in HET cells, they found suppression of type 1 interferon (IFN) signaling. These data support their hypothesis that stress-induced JNK activation upon Golgi protein misfolding in HET keratinocytes weakens cell junctions to cause blistering and dampens IFN responses, facilitating viral infection.

To test these ideas, Cory Simpson required new tools and collaborators in immunology and virology, who provided biosensors to visualize and quantify JNK and type 1 IFN activity along with GFP-tagged HSV to infect the HHD models.

The planned work will test if modulating JNK or type 1 IFN in the HHD model can bolster epidermal integrity and suppress viral infection. Thus, the project has potential to directly impact treatment of patients with this orphan disease.

Grant category: Research Networking

Year: 2025

Geography: Japan

In connection with the 50^th annual meeting of the Japanese Society for Investigative Dermatology (JSID) a symposium, presentations and social gatherings for young scientists are being organized.

Grant category: Education and Awareness Grants

Year: 2025

Geography: Denmark

Biotech Academy Camp is a free, annual event organized by Biotech Academy – a non-profit organization run by ambitious students from Danish universities. This project supports three Biotech Academy Camps for 30 high school students from all over Denmark. The camps combine theory and lab work at Technical University of Denmark and expose students to opportunities within commercial R&D through company visits. They are run by master’s and bachelor students from the Technical University of Denmark and the University of Copenhagen. The topic changes every year, but in 2025 the theme will be genetic modification. The camp will focus on how genetic modification can be used to address societal challenges, develop and improve cell factories in industrial contexts, and open up discussions about research ethics.

Grant category: Education and Awareness Grants

Year: 2025

Geography: Denmark

Matematikcenter offers free math support to children and young people in Denmark through local math cafés, the digital platform Webmatematik.dk, and the online math café Webmatlive.dk.

Through its initiatives, Matematikcenter breaks down barriers in mathematics, strengthens students’ skills, helps them succeed in math, and demonstrates how mathematics is an essential part of both education and the job market.

By engaging volunteer role models, Matematikcenter creates a safe learning environment where students can receive support at their level – regardless of where they are.

Grant category: Education and Awareness Grants

Year: 2025

Geography: Denmark

With the album Mininaut Musik, complex scientific topics are transformed into catchy, educational songs for children aged 3–6.

The album includes 8 original songs on topics such as poop, plastic, skin, and plants, giving children extraordinary knowledge about subjects in their immediate world.

Behind the album is Radionauterne, who for over 8 years have created engaging and innovative science communication for children aged 3–10. The project Mininaut Musik stems from Radionauterne’s popular podcast for 3–6-year-olds, Mininaut. The idea is to link the original songs directly to selected podcast episodes – both existing and future ones – thereby creating an extra dimension to an already successful science communication project.

Grant category: Education and Awareness Grants

Year: 2025

Geography: Denmark

“Denmark in the Future Global AI Society” is an ambitious documentary TV series for DR (Danish Broadcasting Corporation) that, in an entertaining format, aims to engage Danes in a debate about artificial intelligence (AI) and the societal changes that come with it.

Across six episodes, the series will follow a number of leading Danish AI researchers who, in a time of transition, are confronted with ethical, political, and existential questions surrounding the technological shift. In the international race for new AI technologies – led by the USA and China – the researchers are pursuing groundbreaking methods and unique data to develop AI solutions that not only make Denmark competitive but also protect its citizens and democracy.

Grant category: Education and Awareness Grants

Year: 2025

Geography: Denmark

The Nobel Laureates is an ambitious podcast series in 125 episodes that tells the story of modern science through the most groundbreaking discoveries and the people behind them.

The series takes the listener on a journey through 125 years of Nobel Prize winners and culminates in the anniversary in December 2026, leading up to the award ceremony in December 2027. Each episode portrays one Nobel Prize laureate in chemistry, physics, or medicine and conveys not only the scientific breakthrough but also the personal story and the societal impact the individual has had.

With its captivating format and engaging content, the series builds on the success of the podcast Periodisk and combines fascinating storytelling with academic precision. To make the world’s greatest scientists and their discoveries accessible, understandable, and inspiring for a broad audience of knowledge-interested Danes, they employ techniques such as scenic storytelling, rich sound design, and narrative dramaturgy.

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.