During the course of her PhD studies, Charlotte Skovgaard Sørensen investigated the disease mechanisms of the transforming growth factor beta-induced protein (TGFBIp)-related corneal dystrophies. The TGFBIp-related corneal dystrophies are a diverse group of hereditary disorders characterized by the loss of vision and blindness. This is due to the accumulation of TGFBIp in the cornea.

Charlotte Skovgaard Sørensen studied the importance of the stability of TGFBIp in relation to the different disease phenotypes and investigated which areas of the protein are responsible for the aggregation process. These findings were used to design a lead of a potential inhibitor of the disease progression in one type of dystrophy, lattice corneal dystrophy.

The PhD degree was completed at the Interdisciplinary Nanoscience Centre (iNANO), Science and Technology, Aarhus University.

This résumé is prepared by the PhD student.

Time: Thursday 6 August 2015 at 13.15
Place: Building 1593, room 012, iNANO Auditorium, Gustav Wieds Vej 14, 8000  Aarhus
Title of dissertation: Transforming growth factor beta-induced protein Clues into the disease mechanisms of corneal dystrophies
Contact information: Charlotte Skovgaard Sørensen, e-mail: cha@inano.au.dk, tel.: +45 22437473
Members of the assessment committee:
Professor, Alison Hardcastle, Institute of Ophtalmology, University of College London, United Kingdom
Professor, Henrik Vorum, Department of Clinical Medicine, Aalborg University Hospital
Professor, Jan Skov Pedersen (chair), iNANO and Department of Chemistry, Aarhus University
Main supervisor:
Professor Jan J. Enghild, iNANO and Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics, Aarhus University
Co-supervisor:
Professor Niels Christian Nielsen, iNANO and Department of Chemistry, Aarhus University
Language: The PhD dissertation will be defended in English

The defence is public.
The dissertation is available for reading at the Graduate School of Science and Technology/GSST, Ny Munkegade 120, building 1521, room 112, 8000 Aarhus C.