Research — Regenberg Lab

Our research focuses on genetic mechanisms for cell-cell variation in eukaryotic cells and their impact on diseases and chromosome evolution.

We recently discovered that circular DNA of chromosomal origin is not just a curiosum but is in fact an abundant carrier of genetic information and that DNA circles are produced from all parts of the genome in several eukaryotic species and across several cell types (yeast, bird, human healthy somatic tissue and germ cells).

Genes on circular DNA are expressed in cancer where they contribute to tumorigenesis and drug resistance, and in unicellular yeast where circular DNA can provide a selective advantage. These discoveries solved a longstanding question in genetics concerning deleted DNA – we now know the fate of at least part of the sequence material that is occasionally deleted in both somatic and germ cells.

These discoveries were made possible because of a technological breakthrough after we combined hypersensitive purification of circular DNA with the most advanced DNA sequencing and novel bioinformatics tools. We have also developed targeted DNA circularization tools in yeast and for different human genotypes, which provide the technological basis for a much-needed research model for testing the significance of circular DNA in disease (specifically cancer) and chromosome evolution.

Our research is primarily focused on:

The use of circular DNA as a marker for somatic mutations in humans and mice (specifically cancers)
Explaining the factors causing and maintaining circular DNA (humans and yeast)
Measuring the effects of circular DNA on aging (mice and yeast)
Chromosomal evolution (yeast and mammals)

CIRCPAC: Implementing non-invasive circulating tumour DNA and circular DNA analysis in patients with local pancreatic cancer to optimize the pre- and postoperative treatment: predicting resectability and recurrence and changing prognosis over time.

Pancreatic cancer is a very deadly disease, and only very few survive after 5 years. It is known, that Circulating tumour (ct)DNA is a strong indicator for recurrence and survival. This study will investigate if circulating ctDNA in blood among patients with pancreatic cancer, who can be operated, can give better treatment, increased survival ship and identify recurrence earlier than CT-scanning

https://www.dccc.dk/english/projectsandnetwork/circpac-implementing-non-invasive-circulating-tumour-dna-and-circular-dna-analysis-in-patients-with-local-pancreatic-cancer-to-optimize-the-pre--and-postoperative-treatment-predicting-resectability-and-recurrence-and-changing-prognosis-over-time/