Content
The Steno Thursdays events aim to disseminate exciting diabetes research from clinical- and biomedicine to epidemiology. Most presentations are given by researchers affiliated to or collaborating with SDCA. We host Steno Thursdays Global once a month, featuring international diabetes experts.
There will be room for questions and discussions following every talk.
How often
Thursdays, 14:00-15:00 in Verdensrummet, Steno Diabetes Center Aarhus.
April 9th, 2026 @ 14.00
Myogenic and metabolic defects in muscle dystrophies: potential therapeutic targets
Summary: In Type I Myotonic Dystrophy (DM1), the CTG repeat expansion in the DMPK gene disrupts the regulation of RNA-binding proteins and alternative splicing. This disruption affects various cellular pathways, including AMPK signaling, a key metabolic sensor that interlinks mitochondrial dynamics, energy production and muscle stem cell fate.
The repression of AMPK signaling that characterizes the DM1 muscle cells likely plays a negative role in the metabolic regulation of DM1 muscle stem cell fate and could contribute to their poor regenerative potential. This study aims to characterize the metabolic defects in DM1 skeletal muscle stem cells and to evaluate the potential therapeutic benefits of AMPK activators in their regenerative potentials.
Remi Mounier, Professor Institut NeuroMyoGéne, Faculty of Medicine, at University of Lyon
April 16th, 2026 - CANCELLED
Meeting cancelled
April 23rd, 2026 @ 14.00
Using circulating proteins as a readout of circadian physiology and behaviour
Summary: Systemic energy homeostasis relies on interorgan communication, with the liver serving as a key hub by secreting most circulating blood proteins. We recently found that feeding rhythms drive diurnal hepatic protein secretion by generating glycogen-derived glycosylation substrates, and this rhythm is attenuated under calorie restriction and obesity.
Our work reveals a mechanistic link between circadian, metabolic and secretory pathways, thereby connecting nutrient intake with fundamental liver physiology and multisystemic disease. We are now using this knowledge to tentatively characterize the disruption of circadian rhythms at the population level.
Frederic Gachon, Professor at Dept. of Biomedicine, Aarhus University and SDCA
April 30th, 2026 @ 14.00
Through the lens of CyTOF: Mapping niche dynamics at single-cell resolution to boost the regenerative potential of aged skeletal muscle
Summary: Age-related decline in skeletal muscle mass, strength, and regenerative capacity, is partially caused by functional impairment of muscle stem cells (MuSC), the drivers of skeletal muscle regeneration. While intrinsic defects in MuSCs have been studied, the communication between MuSCs and their microenvironment remains poorly understood. Prior research has shown that aging skews the immune system from a lymphoid to a myeloid bias, a shift that could drive MuSC dysfunction by disrupting critical immune-stem cell communication.
Here we capitalized on two cutting-edge single-cell technologies, single-cell mass cytometry (CyTOF) and imaging mass cytometry (IMC), to investigate whether impaired immune-stem cell communication contributes to age-related functional decline of MuSCs during aging. This approach enabled high-resolution mapping of immune cell dynamics in young and aged skeletal muscle and uncovered age-specific immune signatures.
These findings pave the way for uncovering novel immune-mediated pathways that regulate MuSC function and muscle regeneration. Understanding how aging rewires immune-MuSC interactions is a critical step toward developing therapies to rejuvenate muscle repair in the elderly.
Ermelinda Porpiglia, Associate Professor at Dept. of Biomedicine, Aarhus University
How to join
Talks are announced through e-mails and Slack. Everyone can join.
Steno Thursdays Global talks are also announced online and on X @StenoAarhusRes. Meetings are held at Steno Diabetes Center Aarhus (Forum, AUH).
Contact persons
- Anne Lundager Madsen, Annelmadsen@sund.ku.dk
- Jakob Wang, jawa@biomed.au.dk
Content
Diabetes and diabetes-related epidemiology meeting
How often
Monthly (no meeting in July due to summer holidays)
How to join
Everybody affiliated to SDCA and interested in epidemiology is welcome to join. Please see: https://steno-aarhus.github.io/epi/
Contact persons
- Alisa Kjærgaard, alisa.kjaergaard@auh.rm.dk
- Luke Johnston, luke.johnston@rm.dk
Content
Biomed lab. meetings are primarily based on laboratory methods and methodology development and its application in translational or clinical studies. The techniques are diverse and covers a spectrum from tissue signaling to subcellular analysis (e.g. Western Blot, immunostaining, single cell transcriptomics, Fluorescence-Activated Cell Sorting).
How often
Every second week
How to join
Everybody are welcome to join these meetings to discuss and expand the field and it doesn’t matter if you are new or experienced in laboratory research and related techniques. Topic and location is send to the Biomed lab. mail list. Please contact us to get on the list.
Contact persons
- Jakob Wang Jawa@biomed.au.dk
Content
At these meetings, we discuss metabolism with a focus on experimental physiology and methods to quantify human metabolism (e.g. tracers, hyperinsulinemic-euglycemic clamps, PET scans)
How often
Monthly (14:00-15:00 last Friday each month )
How to join
The meeting is for all researchers involved in studies of human metabolism. It is expected that all participants are active and contribute by presenting protocols, methods and data. Agenda and location is sent out through the META-LAB mailing list. Contact us to get on the list.
Contact person
- Esben Søndergaard (Esben.sondergaard@clin.au.dk)
Content
Journal club covering relevant papers within the field of diabetes and pregnancy. Also presentation of projects from researchers within this field and possibilities for feedback and networking.
How often
Once a month on Wednesdays from 12:00 - 13:30 at Steno Diabetes Center Aarhus.
How to join
All are free to join, contact clinical researcher Sine Knorr, sine.knorr@clin.au.dk
Contact persons
- Sine Knorr, sine.knorr@clin.au.dk
- Ulla Kampmann Opstrup, ullaopst@rm.dk
Content
At these meetings, we discuss papers and our own results within the areas of integrated care focusing on prevention of diabetes and diabetes late effects.
How often
Monthly (Monday 12:30-13:30)
How to join
The meeting is open for all researchers. Contact us to get on the list.
Contact person
- Anette Andersen (Anette.Andersen@rm.dk)
Content
The overall purpose of the meetings is knowledge sharing on how to approach common issues when working with register based data. Also, the meetings are open to anyone who wish to learn more about register based research – no matter if you have any previous experience in the subject.
How often
Every 4 weeks
How to join
Meetings are held at Steno Diabetes Center Aarhus
Contact person
- Kamilla Horn KAMHOR@rm.dk
Content
With this forum we want to invite all at the Steno Diabetes Center Aarhus with an interest in nutrition to come and discuss emerging topics, science and implementation related to nutrition.
Aim
To spark more collaboration across the center and a stronger link between research and the clinic in the area of nutrition.
Target group
All at SDCA with an interest in nutrition. All dieticians from research and the clinic have permission to attend the meetings.
How often
Thursday afternoons. We have 10-12 meetings per year.
If you want more information and calendar invitations, please send an email to Daniel (dbi@ph.au.dk)
Contact persons
Marie Kirk (maekir@rm.dk)
Daniel Ibsen (dbi@ph.au.dk)