Short presentation

Skin in health, aging and disease is defined by the integrity and function of its structural components, particularly the extracellular matrix (ECM). The ECM is a network of proteins and molecules that surrounds and supports cells in tissues, much like a scaffold. It not only helps maintain the structure and strength of the skin, but also regulates key cellular processes like adhesion, migration, and differentiation, ensuring tissue integrity and homeostasis. In both aging and inflammatory skin diseases, ECM remodeling is a central driver skin dysfunction.

My research group studies the role of ECM remodeling in skin aging and inflammatory skin conditions such as psoriasis. We also explore the therapeutic potential of matrikines (bioactive ECM degradation products) as targets for modulating ECM remodeling and improving skin health. In addition, we develop advanced drug delivery systems, such as stimuli-responsive hydrogels and electrospun dressings, to enable a controlled, disease-specific release for inflammatory skin conditions such as psoriasis, atopic dermatitis, and chronic wounds.

Mission: Aging and chronic inflammation are major contributors to skin dysfunction. Our mission is to uncover how ECM changes drive these processes and translate findings into personalized therapies for age-related and inflammatory skin conditions.

Primary fields of research

We use a multidisciplinary strategy that includes

• In vitro studies on skin cells: We investigate how skin cells, such as fibroblasts and keratinocytes, interact with the ECM and how these interactions are altered in aging and disease. These studies provide insights into cellular responses to ECM changes and identify key molecular pathways involved in skin dysfunction.
• Mass spectrometry-based proteomics on skin biopsies: By analyzing skin biopsies using mass spectrometry, we identify and characterize the molecular alterations in the ECM, including proteins involved in ECM degradation and remodeling. This allows us to pinpoint biomarkers of skin aging and inflammation, as well as to track ECM changes in response to disease or therapeutic interventions.
• Translational research linking findings to drug delivery systems: We translate our discoveries into practical solutions by developing advanced drug delivery systems, such as stimuli-responsive hydrogels and electrospun dressings. These systems are designed to precisely deliver therapeutic agents to the skin, enabling controlled, disease-specific drug release for conditions like psoriasis, atopic dermatitis, and chronic wounds.

Teaching

I teach in several undergraduate courses with a major focus on pharmaceutics, including "Farmaci I" and "Lægemiddeludvikling fra molekyle til menneske" (Drug Development - from molecule to man).

Furthermore, I teach on a faculty level in the courses "PhD Supervision for co-supervisors" and "Introduction for new PhD students at SUND".

I also supervise master’s students on a regular basis.

Possible conflicts of interest

Disclosure: Andrea Heinz is the chairwoman of the Danish Society for Matrix Biology (https://biokemi.eu/DSMB), board member of the International Society of Extracellular Matrix Pharmacology (https://isecmp.org/) and consultant and Scientific Advisory Board member of Elastin Biosciences.