Lærke Smidt Gasbjerg

Project title

Exploring GIP physiology: Unresolved effects of an important therapeutic system

What is your project about?

I study the gut hormone GIP in human physiology, and with modern treatments for type 2 diabetes and severe obesity, there are now medications available that either mimic or eliminate GIP’s effects.

GIP is secreted from the interestines after meals, but its full range of effects is still unknown. Therefore, I will investigate whether GIP influences insulin sensitivity in the brain and beyond (e.g., muscles and adipose tissue), how GIP affects the distribution of glucose after oral consumption, and whether it plays a role in appetite regulation and nausea. These areas can be studied using modern imaging techniques, such as MRI scans of the brain and PET-CT scans of the entire body.

When new combinational drugs are used in patients (e.g., GLP-1 and GIP), it is challenging to determine which effects stem from which hormone. However, with our findings, we will be able to explain how GIP functions in the body, contribute to a deeper understanding of drug mechanisms, and help improve future treatments.

How did you become interested in your particular field of research?

By chance, in 2010, I met an engaged and highly motivating mentor, Prof. Mette M. Rosenkilde, with whom I conducted my first research projects while studying medicine. My research field is fascinating because it is relevant to all of us—what happens in the body while we eat—and it relates to a vast number of diseases and patient groups. Using relatively simple methods, we can make significant progress in studying the primary effects of gut hormones. In fact, my current projects are within the same field that we started back then.

In addition to investigating the pharmacology and physiology of gut hormones through cell experiments, animal studies, and infusions in humans, I now take advantage of modern imaging techniques, including various types of scans, which help us examine, for example, internal organs or the distribution of blood.

What are the scientific challenges and perspectives in your project?

We have two main challenges to address. First of all, several of these scans and examinations are not yet fully established at the same level as the scans used for diagnostics. There is a need for new computational methods and adaptations, and we have therefore invested considerable effort into developing these methods, and we expect to make refinements along the way.

Additionally, we do not have the capacity or resources to study a large number of participants, so we must carefully select the right groups of study participants and be cautious when applying our findings to other patient groups—for instance, individuals with mild vs. severe type 2 diabetes. However, once we have completed our projects, we will be able to apply these methods to other patient groups and study, for example, the effects of diabetes medication across a broader range of individuals.

What is your estimate of the impact, which your project may have to society in the long term?

Several medications, including current and upcoming treatments for severe obesity and type 2 diabetes, have effects similar to our gut hormones. Particularly for the hormone I am interested in—GIP—there are a number of results, that we cannot yet explain. As experts and researchers in this field, I believe we should uncover the mechanisms of action, so that everyone understands how these medications work and so that we can use them as effectively as possible to help patients.

With modern imaging techniques, we can not only shed light on my and my colleagues' research questions, but also transfer the methods we are working on to the diagnosis of other patient groups or the optimization of current scans and other measurements.

Which impact do you expect the Sapere Aude programme will have on your career as a researcher?

I am very pleased to have become part of the distinguished current and former scientists in the Sapere Aude program. It is both a recognition of my previous work and a vote of confidence in my ability to lead my research group, develop it, and grow as a research leader with this grant.

Starting a research group in a new field is a challenging task, so this support boosts my confidence while also sharpening my focus on leadership development. I now transition from guiding and managing scientific projects to leading a team of researchers and collaborators at both national and international levels.

Background and personal life

I am the mother of Nete, Peder, and Maren (and Inger in heaven) and live with their father/my husband in our house in the suburbs. We are often engaged in creative projects, house or garden projects, exercising, or visiting family and friends. I also train in competitive swimming and participate in championships in the 'masters category' in both pool and open water to maintain my speed.

I greatly appreciate that my husband, Kasper, is skilled at cooking and can solve both large and small technical and practical problems at home. And I also enjoy good licorice, 'home improvement'' shows on TV, and when my friends and family think of me on their travels and bring home a new Fanta can for my unique collection.