Henrik Semb Follow Henrik
Professor
Novo Nordisk Foundation Center for Stem Cell Biology DanStem University of Copenhagen
Biography
Henrik Semb is professor of stem cell and developmental biology of the pancreas and Executive Director of the Novo Nordisk Foundation Center For Stem Cell Biology at the Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen. His research during the past 15+ years has been focused on elucidating basic mechanism in morphogenesis and cell differentiation during organogenesis using a combination of in vivo and in vitro genetic and cell biological experimental tools. In parallel, Professor Semb is heading a translational research program with particular interest to make human pluripotent stem cells usable as a source for mature insulin-producing beta cells for cell therapy in diabetes. In that area, he recently entered into a strategic partnership and became Director for Translational Stem Cell Research at the Helmholtz Diabetes Center, Helmholtz Zentrum München, in spring 2018. The current focus of the translational program lies on GMP adaptation of differentiation protocols, and establishment of new strategies for efficient expansion of beta cell pancreatic progenitors, towards the first stem cell-based clinical cell replacement .
Professor Semb holds several patents and has previously acted as a co-founder and scientific advisor for the Gothenburg based company Cellartis AB that was bought by Takara Bio Inc in 2014. More recently he was involved in the start-up company Pancryos aiming to develop a next generation stem cell derived allogeneic cell therapy for type 1 diabetes.
More information about Professor Semb’s ongoing basic and translational research projects can be found at: https://danstem.ku.dk/research1/semb_laboratory/