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Aarhus University has a new professor of molecular cell biology

39-year-old Robert Fenton is a new professor at Aarhus University. His research focuses on why changes in the behaviour of specific membrane proteins lead to disease.

2015.03.25 | Malene Løvig Nielsen

Robert Fenton carries out research into the function of epithelial cells, which are the cells that cover all exterior surfaces of the body. Photo: Lars Kruse, Aarhus University.

Robert Fenton carries out research into the function of epithelial cells, which are the cells that cover all exterior surfaces of the body. Photo: Lars Kruse, Aarhus University.

Robert Fenton is the new professor of molecular cell biology at the Department of Biomedicine at Aarhus University.

He carries out research into the function of epithelial cells, which are the cells that cover all exterior surfaces of the body. Epithelial cells also form several of the body’s glands.

Robert Fenton examines specific membrane proteins in epithelial cells. When the proteins alter behaviour and no longer behave normally, it results in a number of medical conditions such as high blood pressure, diabetes, epilepsy and osteoporosis.

"The professorship means that I can carry on helping to build a unique research field at Aarhus University. As many diseases involve membrane proteins in some shape or form, there are so many things that we need to understand to better treat the diseases. The professorship creates the best possible prerequisites and hopefully the research can develop new treatments for diseases that result from changes in the behaviour of membrane proteins," says Robert Fenton.

Robert Fenton has a PhD degree in physiology from the University of Manchester, UK, and has been professor with special responsibilities (MSO) at Aarhus University since 2010.

Further information

Professor Robert Fenton
Aarhus University, Department of Biomedicine
Direct tel.: +45 8716 7671
Mobile: +45 2899 2149
robert.a.fenton@biomed.au.dk

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