Frank Hauser

Senior drug-discovery scientist with more than 30 years of experience in molecular biology, peptide biology, receptor pharmacology and protein biochemistry across pharmaceutical R&D and academia. Five years of pharmaceutical R&D experience at H. Lundbeck A/S, working in multidisciplinary drug discovery teams with a focus on GPCR-based therapeutic targets, recombinant expression systems, mammalian cell biology, functional assay development and pharmacological target validation.

More than two decades of scientific leadership at the University of Copenhagen, including independent research programme development, leadership of multidisciplinary research activities, supervision of scientists and integration of complex experimental data to guide scientific decisions. Extensive experience in designing, evaluating and interpreting experimental programmes and translating mechanistic biological findings into testable hypotheses. Particular scientific expertise in peptide biology, receptor pharmacology, recombinant proteins, protein engineering and molecular and cellular biology.

Recognised for scientific judgement, critical evaluation of evidence and the ability to integrate complex biological information across disciplines. Motivated to bring this combination of pharmaceutical R&D experience, scientific depth and collaborative leadership to multidisciplinary drug discovery programmes in an entrepreneurial biotech environment.

Associate Professor at University of Copenhagen (2002-01 – Present)

Independent scientific leadership in molecular neurobiology, peptide biology, receptor pharmacology and protein biochemistry, with responsibility for developing research programmes, leading experimental activities and supervising multidisciplinary research teams.

• Development and leadership of independent research programmes addressing molecular mechanisms of receptor signalling and peptide biology, with a strong focus on invertebrate model systems
• Planning, prioritisation and execution of multidisciplinary experimental research programmes
• Integration and critical evaluation of complex biological, biochemical and pharmacological datasets
• Design, development and validation of recombinant expression systems and functional experimental assays
• Functional characterisation of receptors and peptide ligands
• Evaluation of experimental evidence and formulation of scientific conclusions and next-step strategies
• Supervision and scientific guidance of MSc, PhD and postdoctoral researchers
• Coordination of collaborative research involving different scientific disciplines and international partners
• Preparation of scientific publications, research proposals, reports and other scientific documentation
• Laboratory management, experimental quality and effective use of research resources

Research Scientist at H. Lundbeck A/S (1997-01 – 2002-12)

Member of multidisciplinary pharmaceutical R&D teams working on GPCR-based therapeutic targets and drug discovery programmes.

• Planned and executed experimental research projects within an application-oriented pharmaceutical R&D environment
• Recombinant expression of human GPCRs and generation of stable mammalian cell lines
• Development and validation of functional cellular bioassays
• Target validation and interpretation of pharmacological and biological data
• Integration of experimental findings to support scientific evaluation and project decisions
• Scientific documentation and communication of experimental results
• Collaboration across biology, pharmacology and medicinal chemistry
• Coordination of laboratory activities and experimental priorities within multidisciplinary research projects

Assistant Professor at University of Copenhagen (1995-01 – 1997-12)

• Established an independent research programme in molecular neurobiology and neuropeptide signalling
• Developed experimental approaches for investigating receptor biology and peptide-mediated signalling
• Conducted molecular and cellular research and supervised students
• Established collaborations with researchers in related scientific disciplines

Postdoctoral Researcher at University of Hamburg, Germany (1993-01 – 1994-12)

• Molecular characterisation of a rat somatostatin receptor gene
• Research towards generation of a receptor knockout mouse model
• Molecular neurobiology, receptor biology and mammalian molecular biology

PhD in Molecular Biology – Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München, Germany (1992-12)

MSc in Chemistry – University of Freiburg, Germany (1989-12)