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PhD defence: Kirsten Gade Malmos: How Glycosaminoglycans Promote Protein Aggregation

PhD defence, Tuesday, 29 August 2017. Kirsten Gade Malmos.

Kirsten Gade Malmos

Insoluble protein structures are found in all biological systems as, for example, structural components in biofilm or as condensed protein storages in secretory granules. Protein aggregates are also found in organs of healthy elderly individuals as well as patients afflicted by various diseases. The formation of both functional and disease-related protein aggregates is accelerated by sulfated polysaccharides known as glycosaminoglycans or GAGs. GAGs can induce both native-like and disease-related aggregation where the protein adapts a non-native structure, depending on the protein and conditions. We hypothesize that increased GAG sulfation and reduced disaggregation activity may concomitantly explain the increased prevalence of protein aggregates in elderly individuals.  

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

This résumé was prepared by the PhD student.




Time:
Tuesday, 29 August 2017 at 13.15
Place: Building 1531, room 113, Lecture Theatre D1, Department of Mathematics, Ny Munkegade 120, Aarhus University, 8000 Aarhus C.
Title of dissertation: Defining the GAG Rules: How Glycosaminoglycans Induce Protein Aggregation and Amyloid Formation
Contact information: Kirsten Gade Malmos, e-mail: kirsteng@inano.au.dk 
Members of the assessment committee:
Professor David A. Middleton, Department of Chemistry, Lancaster University, Great Britain
Associate Professor Marco van de Weert, Department of Pharmacy, Section for Biologics, University of Copenhagen
Senior Researcher Morten Foss (chair), iNANO, Aarhus University
Main supervisor:
Professor Daniel Otzen, iNANO and Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics, Aarhus University
Co-supervisor:
Professor Niels Chr. 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 1520, rooms 128-134, 8000 Aarhus C.