On Monday, 5 May 2014, Aarhus University (AU) and Aarhus University Hospital (AUH) will be opening the doors to their new preclinical research and teaching facilities at the hospital premises on Nørrebrogade in Aarhus, Denmark. Invitees include Sofie Carsten Nielsen, Danish Minister for Higher Education and Science, who will be speaking on the theme of ‘Excellence in research requires excellent tools’.

Unique facilities due to location

The new facilities combine three types of scanning methods that have previously been used separately: MRI scanning, PET scanning and optical imaging. By bringing together the three scanning methods in a single centre researchers will be able to create new synergies between the different technologies. Different disciplines will thus be working together on research as well as education.

“We are delighted with our new scanning equipment. With its unique location close to all the relevant clinical departments, we can raise the level of our research to new heights,” says Jørgen Frøkiær,  Professor at the Department of Clinical Medicine at AU, and Consultant, MD, at the Department of Nuclear Medicine and the PET Centre at AUH, who is one of the driving forces behind the project.

Several university and hospital departments and units have been involved in the work on the new facilities. And many more will benefit from them.

Paving the way for excellent research

“We are the first in Denmark to start using such advanced and modern scanning equipment in one and the same centre – and also some of the first internationally. This is something we’re very proud of. And there are a great many researchers from many different fields of study whose work is sure to benefit. Briefly put, we have paved the way for delivering even more excellent health research,”  Jørgen Frøkiær concludes.

The equipment, which will be officially opened on Monday, will initially be used to study cells and animal models, and due to its close proximity to the clinical departments, it will be possible to transfer the results quickly to the development of examinations of patients.

“We’re delighted that the minister will be taking part in the ceremony. We’re keen to start a dialogue with her regarding future health research, and of course the event is a chance for us to show her what we have to offer here in Aarhus,” explains Professor Jørgen Frøkiær. 

In addition to the minister, representatives of the Danish Agency for Science, Technology and Innovation, the Danish Health and Medicines Authority, the Velux Foundation, the Novo Nordisk Foundation and the Lundbeck Foundation have been invited to the opening ceremony, which will be hosted by Dean Allan Flyvberg from Aarhus University, and Consultant Claus Thomsen.

The new scanning equipment represents a total investment of around DKK 35 million, funded jointly by the Danish Agency for Science, Technology and Innovation, the Velux Foundation, Aarhus University and Central Denmark Region.

Further information

Professor, MD Jørgen Frøkiær
Aarhus University, Department of Clinical Medicine and
Aarhus University Hospital, Department of Nuclear Medicine and PET Centre
Direct tel.: +45 7845 6201
Mobile: +45 2023 4527
JF@KI.AU.DK