Prof. Dr. Henriette Kirchner holds the professorship for epigenetic regulation of liver metabolism at the Institute of Human Genetics, UKSH and University of Lübeck. "My research focuses on obesity, type 2 diabetes and fatty liver disease. Here, I explore epigenetic mechanisms - molecular mechanisms that turn genes on and off - in disease development and how to use epigenetics to cure these diseases," explains the DZD scientist.
As an innovative personnel strategy, the SH-Chair program is part of "Precision Health in Schleswig-Holstein" (PHSH) and aims to increasingly promote successful and excellent scientists from Schleswig-Holstein. In 2017, the first eight SH-Chairs were appointed, now followed by another four. Each SH-Chair will be funded with 1.2 million euros over six years, including the establishment of a junior research group with a junior professorship.
"The four new professorships of excellence are not only an outstanding example of the emergence of excellent scientists. Our patients in particular also benefit from the direct transfer of research results directly to the bedside. Our interdisciplinary inflammation outpatient clinics are a blueprint for how the Cluster of Excellence PMI addresses the challenges of the diseases of the 21st century," explained Professor Jens Scholz, Chairman of the Board of UKSH.
The SH-Chairs not only receive financial support through the appointment, but also the opportunity to co-determine university medicine in Schleswig-Holstein. All SH-Chairs are full members of the nationwide unique steering structure PHSH and can be elected to the steering group and thus directly co-determine the clinical research opportunities at UKSH.