Forum for Nordic Dermato-Venereology Nr 2, 2018 | Page 11

University Clinics in the Nordic Countries Dermatological Research at Herlev and Gentofte Hospital, University of Copenhagen L one S kov , J acob T hyssen and J eanne D uus J ohansen Department of Dermatology and Allergy, Herlev and Gentofte Hospital, University of Copenhagen, Denmark. E-mail: Lone. [email protected] The Department of Dermatology and Allergy, Herlev and Gentofte Hospital is part of the University of Copenhagen. It was established as the Department of Dermato-Venereology in 1970, with Professor Niels Hjorth as the department chair for the first 20 years. He was followed for the next 20 years by Professor Torkil Menné, until his retirement in February 2011. From its beginnings, with only two doctors, the department has grown steadily over the last 40 years. In 2007, the depart- ment merged with the Allergy Clinic, Rigshospitalet into the Department of Dermatology and Allergy, Herlev and Gentofte Hospital. By 2017 the department had more than 182 employ- ees, constituting a large clinical unit and research section. In 2016 the department produced more than 160 publications and 5 PhD theses were defended. Claus Zachariae is the head of the department, Jeanne Duus Johansen and Lone Skov are professors in the dermatological section, and Jacob Thyssen is professor from December 2017. Lars K. Poulsen is professor in the allergy section. The department has two research units in connection with the Research units, dermatology Since its beginning, one of the main focuses of research in the department has been contact dermatitis. Over the last 15 years, contact dermatitis research has primarily been performed within the frame of The National Allergy Re- search Centre, led by Professor Jeanne Duus Johansen formerly in collaboration with Professor Torkil Menné. At present, 11 PhD studies on contact dermatitis are ongoing. Information about former as well as current studies and publications can be found at www.videncenterforallergi.dk. For the last 20 years, research at the department has also focused on other inflammatory skin diseases, especially psoriasis and atopic dermatitis. The research has primarily been performed within the CORGIS, led by Professor Lone Skov in collaboration with head of department Claus Zachariae and new professor Jacob Thyssen. At present, 9 PhD studies on atopic dermatitis and psoriasis are ongoing. A large unit for clinical trials is connected to this research unit, with specially trained staff, including study coordinator, nurses and a laboratory technician. dermatological section (the National Allergy Research Centre and the Copenhagen Research Group for Inflammatory Skin There is a high degree of collaboration between the two units. (CORGIS)) and one in connection with the allergy section. The main research areas in the dermatological section are contact dermatitis, the skin barrier, atopic dermatitis, and psoriasis. Selected highlights of the research programme for the last few years are mentioned below. The main research areas in the allergy section are immuno- globulin E (IgE)-mediated allergy, allergen immunotherap