Affiliates
The Novo Nordisk Foundation comprises a large group of institutions, researchers, innovators and infrastructures. Our largest pillars are the six Novo Nordisk Foundation Research Centres and the 4 pieces of vital infrastructure supported by the Novo Nordisk Foundation.
Novo Nordisk Foundation Research CentresAffilliated Partners
Since 2007, the Novo Nordisk Foundation has awarded a number of large strategic awards to establish six research centres and four infrastructures in the Greater Copenhagen region. The centres form organisationally independent entities, in which world-class researchers focus on a shared scientific vision in an important field of study. They also engage in collaborative efforts with universities, hospitals, biobanks and biotech/pharma industry. In this way, the centres are important players in creating innovation, knowledge sharing, and educating the next generation of research talent.
While individual Novo Nordisk Foundation research centres and infrastructures are autonomous entities in the regional science landscape, these strategic awards were the beginning of a journey with the aim to develop a Novo Nordisk Foundation Science Cluster.
The Novo Nordisk Foundation Science Cluster entities have originally been established through 10-year grants, using a public-private partnership model in which the grant is awarded to a host institution representative (e.g. a university rector or dean) responsible for entity operation. Novo Nordisk Foundation Science Cluster entities’ housing and governance are thereby “outsourced” to the host institution. No obvious forerunner to this model can be found among the variety of setups among major European and American non-profit research institutes.
To fulfill the ambitious vision for the Novo Nordisk Foundation Science Cluster; For Denmark to be a world leading powerhouse for life science research and innovation, the strategy is to further build on the cluster by establishing additional physical entities such as new research centres and infrastructures as well as establishing cluster-wide programmes that support cohesion, collaboration and synergy between the entities.
Hence, with the ambition to increase the visibility of research and innovation in Denmark, the Novo Nordisk Foundation Science Cluster consists of the following initiatives:
Research centers. Flagship entities performing front-line research with long-term funding.
Research infrastructures. Entities comprising state-of-the-art technology and leading scientists conducting research and providing technology access and service to the cluster, region and internationally.
Innovation entity and programmes. Initiatives with the specific aim to facilitate the translation of research and innovations into applications and start-up companies.
Cluster networking activities. Activities to build networks, create cluster awareness, increase collaboration and improve cluster visibility. The cluster networking activities encompass interest groups, lectures, theme days, and conferences.
The Novo Nordisk Foundation Research Centres
Our largest stakeholders are the six Novo Nordisk Foundation Research Centres each pioneering their field of research. These centers are the pillars of the Novo Nordisk Foundation Science Cluster initiative.
The Center explores the molecular mechanisms and gene-environment interactions that underlie causes of diabetes and obesity with the ultimate aim of contributing to the development of new ways of treating and preventing diabetes and obesity.
Read moreThe Novo Nordisk Foundation Center for Stem Cell Medicine, ReNEW, works to gain a deep understanding of stem cell biology in organ development, tissue repair and disease mechanisms, which is essential to harness the therapeutic potential in stem cell medicine.
Read moreThe Center develops novel and innovative technologies for cell-based production of a broad range of chemicals and pharmaceuticals as a contribution to promoting the transformation from an oil-based chemical industry to a more sustainable bio-based industry.
Read moreProteins are deeply involved in diseases processes. Understanding disease at a protein level is therefore imperative in order to develop future generations of diagnostics and treatment.
The Center develops knowledge and technology that can be used to capture and recycle carbon dioxide (CO2).
Read moreThe Center facilitates close collaborations between the Broad Institute and Danish researchers investigating the genetics and gene regulation of common complex disease, including type 2 diabetes and obesity.
Read moreInfrastructures
The state-of-the-art infrastructure supported by the Novo Nordisk Foundation enables researchers to benefit from sharing specialised equipment and methods, giving them more time to focus on scientific discoveries. Hence, these infrastructural facilities are also key stakeholders for the Novo Nordisk Foundation Science Cluster vision and mission.
Challenging scientific questions in structural biology using crystallography.
The Danish National Biobank at Statens Serum Institut gives scientists a comprehensive overview of and access to millions of biological samples in Denmark’s health care system for the first time.
State-of-the-art technology giving researchers new opportunities to study the structure of proteins in detail.
Read moreState-of-the-art biological mass spectrometry-based proteomics facility in Copenhagen.
Read moreDevelops and operates a national infrastructure for personalised medicine, including infrastructure for whole genome sequencing and a supercomputer system for data analysis and storing the information in a national genome database.
Read more