P-type ATPases constitute a large family of transmembrane proteins found in all kingdoms of life and primarily responsible for transport of ions across biological membranes. P-type ATPases work as molecular pumps, exploiting the energy from the cell to create electrochemical gradients and to maintain ion homeostasis. Approximately 30% of the energy generated in the living cell is utilized by P-type ATPases, which emphasizes the importance of understanding the molecular mechanism of their function.

During his PhD studies, Mateusz Dyla employed a novel and powerful method called single-molecule FRET to investigate the dynamics of the transport cycle of P-type ATPases at the single-molecule level. Additionally, Mateusz characterized the P-type ATPase using a variety of biochemical techniques and studied the atomic structure of the pump using X-ray crystallography. The new findings contribute to the understanding of the molecular mechanism of P-type ATPase function.

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

This résumé is prepared by the PhD student.

Time: Friday 18 March 2016 at 13.15
Place: Building 3130, room 303, Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics, Aarhus University, Gustav Wieds Vej 10C, 8000 Aarhus C
Title of dissertation: Single-molecule, structural and functional studies of Listeria monocytogenes Ca²⁺-ATPase
Contact information: Mateusz Dyla, e-mail: mateusz@mbg.au.dk, tel.: +45 5222 5548
Members of the assessment committee:
Professor Elizabeth Carpenter, Nuffield Department of Medicine, University of Oxford, UK
Associate Professor Stephan Alexander Pless, Department of Drug Design and Pharmacology, University of Copenhagen, Denmark
Professor Finn Skou Pedersen (chair), Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics, Aarhus University, Denmark
Main supervisor:
Professor Poul Nissen, Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics, Aarhus University
Co-supervisor:
Associate Professor Charlotte Rohde Knudsen, Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics, 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 1520, rooms 128-134, 8000 Aarhus C.