DDA-Funded Researcher Receives Grant of 10 mio. from Novo Nordisk Foundation

by Mie Tomzak

Andreas Mæchel Fritzen has received an ‘Excellence Emerging Investigator’ grant from the Novo Nordisk Foundation to research the physiological effects of medium-chain fatty acids and the underlying mechanisms.

Medium-chain fatty acids are found in coconut oil and to smaller extent in milk. They seem to have beneficial health effects, as they help control blood sugar levels, provide a feeling of satiety, and increase the body’s energy expenditure.

Andreas Mæchel Fritzen is an assistant professor at the University of Copenhagen and a DDA-funded postdoctoral fellow. He wishes to test a hypothesis stating that when medium-chain fatty acids are transported to and broken down in the liver, they will cause the release of special factors, which might entail health impacts in other tissue, such as brain, fat, and muscle tissue.

For this project, Andreas has received the ‘Excellence Emerging Investigator’ grant of 9.989.507 DKK from the Novo Nordisk Foundation. The title of the project is ‘Elucidating the molecular mechanisms orchestrating the health beneficial effects of medium-chain fatty acids’. Making the cut for this grant is hard, as it is given only to a few particularly talented and matured researchers within Scandinavia with potential for starting their own research group.

We asked Andreas Mæchel Fritzen some questions regarding this wonderful piece of news.

You have made quite a difficult cut with this grant – how does it feel?

“Receiving this grant is a downright euphoric feeling. It is such a huge relief and joy, but it is first and foremost exciting to know that an assessment committee of esteemed researchers found my project, research field, and research ideas relevant. At the same time, it is a significant recognition of one’s career choices, the numerous hours spent in laboratories in Denmark and abroad, and the resulting personal sacrifices this creates. The euphoria is also accompanied by an enormous humility when thinking of the responsibility and the expectations linked with such a substantial funding sum and all the support from established researchers that underlies this great opportunity for me. This humility is only enhanced by the fact that I was chosen among so many smart, talented, and kind colleagues who have also fought so hard for years, have such impressive resumes, and who are just as deserving of recognition and opportunities.”

What does this grant mean for you and your research?

“It sounds like a cliché, but this means endlessly much for my research and my opportunity of establishing myself as a researcher in Academia. A large grant is practically essential for the process of empowering oneself as a researcher and starting a research group, as grants like these make it possible to hire people. It is a financial fundament enabling the use of the scientifically most optimal models and methods to answer research questions, which in my case includes extensive experiments with patients, healthy subjects, transgenic mouse models, as well as cellular models, and subsequently the application of advanced and sophisticated molecular biology methodologies to investigate the material.”

Why is it important to research the medium-chain fatty acids?

“We know surprisingly little about medium-chain fatty acids – especially how they signal in the body and regulate different physiological processes. We have made preliminary discoveries in experiments with mice and healthy young men, showing that consumption of medium-chain fatty acids has a number of health benefits. The big question is how these specific fatty acids work in the body, and which signals they activate – and whether the consumption of them over a longer period of time can lead to metabolic improvements. Therefore, from a perspective of basic science, it is important to understand more about these fatty acids.

This work might also help us create models for learning about fat burning in the liver and the effects of this in the body. From a more translational perspective, it is vital to clarify if these fatty acids do actually entail significant health benefits because then that ought to affect dietary advice – and it could initiate the possibility of enriching food items with more medium-chain fatty acids. Finally, uncovering the mechanisms of medium-chain fatty acids’ potential for health benefits could be useful in the development of drugs for metabolic diseases.”

Has it always been a dream of yours to become a researcher?

“I have always been a bit of a nerd – and as far back as I can remember, I have wanted to learn and understand advanced stuff and explore everything in depth. As a child and young adult, I actually dreamt of becoming a boat builder. I was even in training as a boat builder, and I loved it. My maternal grandfather was associated with the shipyard in Helsingør, and my father is a carpenter, so I guess that is where the inspiration came from. I used to sail a lot as a child, and I loved working with and building things out of wood. However, I realised soon enough that my talents lay elsewhere. Sometimes though, when I have a rough day, I can still find myself envying those who create something beautiful and tangible and see it sail out into the world. But seconds later, I will often be immensely absorbed in thoughts about the next experiment, a new interpretation of research data, or the next teaching session with inspiring students. I love my job, and every day, I bike to work feeling that I am exactly where I should be in life.”

What has your DDA-funding meant for your career?

“My DDA-financed postdoctoral fellowship has allowed me to perform important and cutting-edge science and hereby develop into a more mature and independent researcher, which is evident from the fact that I received this ‘Excellence Emerging Investigator’ grant from the Novo Nordisk Foundation to build up my own research group as an independent researcher in academia. I am grateful for all the opportunities this fellowship has provided me.”

Our warmest congratulations to Andreas on the huge achievement.