Two grants for one institute: A rare distinction

The grant serves as a springboard for independent academic careers and is a clear mark of scientific excellence. That two researchers from the same institute are receiving it in the same funding round is a rarity – and a strong testament not only to the high level of expertise, but also to the strategic strength of the research environment at MBG. It highlights Aarhus’ position as a leading hub for research into biological energy metabolism – from the tiniest components of the cell to the brain’s complex neural networks.

Both projects focus on energy in biological systems – from the molecular mechanisms of the cell’s energy factories to the energy-dependent processes behind memory and synaptic plasticity.

Inside the mitochondrion: Where the body’s energy is made

Rasmus Kock Flygaard’s project zooms in on the cell’s own power plants: the mitochondria. These organelles are responsible for producing ATP, the fuel that powers nearly all cellular functions, through a series of complex reactions carried out by protein machines embedded in the inner mitochondrial membrane. To function, these machines rely on a special lipid called cardiolipin, which both shapes the membrane and acts as molecular glue to hold the protein complexes together.

“Cardiolipin is like the architect of the mitochondrial inner structure,” Rasmus explains. “But when it becomes damaged, the energy-producing machinery loses its efficiency – and in some diseases, that damage is never properly repaired.”

One such disease is Barth syndrome – a rare but serious genetic condition that causes the mitochondria to malfunction, severely reducing the cell’s ability to produce energy. Rasmus’ group will use structural biology and advanced electron microscopy to study how cardiolipin behaves in both healthy and diseased mitochondria, and how a small repair protein called Tafazzin tries – or fails – to restore the balance.

“This will be the first time we can truly visualize how the mitochondrial architecture collapses under disease conditions. It could open new pathways for understanding and treating mitochondrial disorders.”

Memory and aging in the human brain

While Rasmus investigates energy production in human cells, Chao Sun turns his attention to the brain’s connections – the synapses – and how they manage energy demands during memory formation and aging.

“The brain uses an enormous amount of energy, especially when forming and storing memories,” Chao explains. “But we still don’t fully understand how synapses regulate their energy use – or how that ability changes with age.”

In many neurodegenerative diseases, such as Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s, energy supply to neurons is impaired, leading to memory issues. Chao’s project seeks to understand how synaptic plasticity – the changes synapses must undergo to encode memories – alters the brain’s energy balance, and whether that balance becomes more fragile as we age.

Using a combination of molecular biology and functional analysis, his group aims to identify new mechanisms that help the brain adapt its energy supply – and possibly reveal strategies to strengthen memory function in the aging brain.

A shared focus on energy – and building new research environments

Although the two projects differ in method and biological context – mitochondria vs. synapses, structural biology vs. neurobiology – they share a common goal: understanding the fundamental role of energy in maintaining life.

“The mitochondrion is a connecting element in both projects, although in different ways,” says Chao. “Together, we span a spectrum from the basic mechanisms of energy production to their impact on cognition and behavior.”

For both researchers, receiving the Sapere Aude grant marks a major career milestone. Rasmus is particularly excited about the opportunity to expand his research group and attract international talent, having already received interest from abroad. For Chao, the grant finally makes it possible to advance his group’s work on brain energy metabolism, a long-held ambition now ready to be realized.

Both projects are expected to launch in December 2025 and will support the establishment of new research teams, including PhD students and postdocs.

About Sapere Aude: DFF Starting Grant

The Sapere Aude grant is awarded by the Independent Research Fund Denmark to outstanding early-career researchers with the potential to lead original research projects at the highest international level.

It is widely regarded as a mark of excellence – and a powerful career catalyst for researchers ready to take the lead in their field.