Center for Autophagy, Recycling and Disease (CARD)

Cellular homeostasis is governed by integrated activities of energy-supplying organelles, macromoleculeproducing factories and recycling pathways. As in our modern society, also in our cells, power supply, activity and waste disposal need to be kept in equilibrium and
respond to immediate internal and external demands.

Autophagy, a process of self-eating, is a key actor in this process. It ensures rapid removal of toxic materials as well as damaged or superfluous macromolecules and organelles through lysosomal degradation and recycling, thereby providing means for waste disposal
and molecules for energy production and renovation.

It also participates in essential cell-fate decisions concerning survival, malignant transformation and differentiation.

CARD will combine complementary expertise at the Danish Cancer Society Research Center to elucidate the orchestration of cellular energy balance, damage control, recycling and autophagy with focus on autophagy regulating pathways and their crosstalk with other cellular processes.