During her studies, cand.scient. Heidi Gytz Olesen has researched the mechanism behind virus multiplication in the course of an infection. Special interest has been directed towards the copying of viral genetic material, which is a prerequisite for the formation of new virus particles. During this copying event, the viral proteins hijack proteins of the host cell important for normal cell maintenance and exploit these. This interplay is important for continuation of the infection cycle and thus presents a possible target in the fight against these pathogens.

As a model system, Heidi has investigated a bacteriophage, which is a virus capable of infecting bacteria, but not humans. By use of x-ray crystallography she has obtained three-dimensional images of proteins, which reveal how a virus protein cooperates with proteins of the infected cell for multiplication of the viral genetic material. 

The PhD degree was completed at Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics, Science and Technology, Aarhus Universitet.

This résumé is prepared by the PhD student.

Time: Thursday 18. June 2015, kl. 13.00
Place: Building 3130, room 303, Conference Room, Science Park, Gustav Wieds Vej 5, 8000 Aarhus C
Title of dissertation: Structural rationale behind template recognition and exponential RNA amplification by the Q? replicase complex
Contact information: Heidi Gytz Olesen, e-mail:hgytz@mbg.au.dk, tlf.: 29897454
Members of the assessment committee:
Research Professor, Núria Verdaguer Massana, Molecular Biology Institute of Barcelona, Spain
Senior Researcher, Thomas Bruun Rasmussen, Section for Virology, Technical University of Denmark
Associate Professor, Anni Hangaard Andersen, Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics, Aarhus University (chair)
Main supervisor:
Associate Professor Charlotte Rohde Knudsen, Molecular Biology and Genetics, Aarhus Universitet
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.