Jesper Q. Svejstrup

Jesper Qualmann Svejstrup (born March 28, 1963) is a Danish molecular biologist and biochemist, known for his study of gene transcription and its intricate relationship with DNA-related processes including DNA repair, replication, and recombination.

Early life and education
Svejstrup was born on March 28, 1963, in Aarhus, Denmark, to parents who worked as building engineers. Following the completion of his secondary education, Svejstrup attended Aarhus University where he earned a degree in biology in 1989. He then continued his studies at the same institution, earning his PhD in molecular biology.

Research and career
During his doctoral studies, Svejstrup conducted research on the molecular mechanism of DNA Topoisomerases, which are enzymes that help eliminate overwinding or underwinding of DNA. His investigations led him to the discovery of 'suicide substrates' for DNA topoisomerase I and the realization that the anti-tumor drug camptothecin blocks the enzyme's re-ligation reaction.

Svejstrup currently holds the position of a professor and Deputy Head of Research at the Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine at the University of Copenhagen. He is also a Visiting Scientist at the Francis Crick Institute in London. Additionally, Svejstrup holds the positions of Honorary Professor at University College London and Imperial College London, and Honorary Skou Professor at Aarhus University.

Svejstrup's research group specializes in studying the fundamental mechanisms of RNA polymerase II transcription. His research aims to unlock a deeper understanding of the complex interactions between transcription factors, DNA, and RNA polymerase II, and how these interactions can impact the stability of the genome.

Awards and honors
Svejstrup has been appointed as a Fellow of the Royal Society in 2009. In 2016, he was honored as a Foreign Member of the Royal Danish Academy of Sciences and Letters, and in 2018, he was elected as a Fellow of the Academy of Medical Sciences (United Kingdom).

Presently, he serves on the Scientific Council of the European Research Council, serving as its vice-president for Life Sciences and also a distinguished position for his contributions to the field of molecular biology.