Malene Skovsted Cilieborg

 

Education:
2007-2009: Ph.D Student at Dep. of Human Nutrition, Clinical and experimental nutrition, Faculty of Life Sciences, University of Copenhagen

2004-2006: M.Sc. in Human Nutrition, KVL, Frederiksberg, Denmark.

1999-2002: B.Sc. in Biology, Copenhagen University, Denmark.

1993: Gratuated from High School, Langkær gymnasium, Tilst, Denmark

Employment:
Summer 2006: two months exchange employment at university of Hong Kong, Zoological department, working with total protein analysis (proteomics) under the FØSU-programme Fiber and Flora.

2002-2004: Practical instructor in four different biology (botany) courses at University of Copenhagen

Research Experiences and applied analysis:
Working with preterm piglets as an animal model for nutrient sensitive preterm infants
Conventional and molecular microbiology (in situ hybridisation, T-RFLP, DGGE)
Histo-morphological analysis
Enzymatic and absorptive gut function
Total protein analysis (Proteomics)
Host gene responses to gut colonization using RNA micro array, Real time PCR
Immuno-histochemestry and confocal microscopy

Using an animal model with preterm piglets I study the role of gut colonization and nutrition on intestinal health of the neonate. I particularly focus on the severe intestinal disease Necrotizing Enterocolitis (NEC) in preterm infants. When fed a mothers milk replacer, the preterm piglets spontaneously develop symptoms similar to human Necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC). With different nutritional interventions and modification of the colonizing gut bacteria and based on following extensive laboratory analysis on tissue samples, I study disease development and pathology, and potential prevention and therapeutics of NEC.

Teaching Experience:
I have supervised one master’s student and have been involved in projects of three other master’s students. I have given a lecture on gut microbiology at the life cycle course 2006. Further I am involved in supervising a PhD student at University of Hong Kong.
During my studies I have worked 2 years as a practical instructor at four different courses at the Biological institute, University of Copenhagen.