Report from Line Engelbrechtsen's exchange visit to Scotland

PhD student Line Engelbrechtsen recently returned from a four-week visit to Professor Ewan Pearson’s group at the Division of Molecular and Clinical Medicine, Ninewells Hospital, University of Dundee in Scotland -  an exchange visit that she received financial support for from Danish Diabetes Academy. 

"The exchange visit has truly been a great experience and I have been fortunate to work with very experienced and talented researchers from whom I have learned a lot", Line Engelbrechtsen begins her report.

ASSESING DISEASE PROGRESSION REQUIRES ADVANCED STATISTICAL MODELS AND LARGE COHORTS

As part of her PhD project, she is investigating genetic aspects of progression of type 2 diabetes. Assessing disease progression is quite challenging and requires advanced statistical models and large cohorts. Therefore, it is essential to combine datasets of individuals and collaborate with other research groups when investigating progression patterns.

Her visit to Dundee has enabled a future collaboration on projects between Section of Metabolic Genetics at University of Copenhagen and Division of Molecular and Clinical Medicine, University of Dundee. "During my four weeks in Professor Ewan Pearson’s group, I have gained insight into advanced modeling of disease progression and have initiated collaborative projects combining Danish and Scottish cohorts to investigate progression patterns. I have learned from talented researched, who have given me a warm welcome and a great stay in Dundee", Line reports. 

THE EXPERIENCE IN DUNDEE HAS BEEN EXCEPTIONAL

According to Line Engelbrechtsen, the exchange visit has all in all provided her with invaluable knowledge that will be essential and support many ongoing as well as coming research projects within the area of diabetes progression. "The experience in Dundee has been exceptional and I am truly grateful for the support from Danish Diabetes Academy, who made this visit possible", Line concludes.