During the course of his PhD studies, Morten T. Venø carried out research into mechanisms that modify gene expression in the brain tissue of pigs and mice.

The composition of brain tissue is complex because it consists of many different cell types, including different types of neurons and glia (support cells). Morten T. Venø worked with a technique that makes it possible to study a particular type of gene control found specifically in neurons in the brain tissue of mice.

He also studied changes in two mechanisms that modify gene expression during embryonic brain development in pigs. Because pig brains are very similar to human brains, it should be possible to a great extent to transfer to humans the knowledge he contributed.

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

Time: Wednesday 20 June 2012 at 13.15
Place: Lecture Theatre E, building 1533, room 103, Department of Mathematics, Aarhus University
Title of dissertation: Regulation of gene expression in neuronal tissue by RNA interference and editing
Contact information: Morten T. Venø, mtv@mb.au.dk, +45 2872 7107
Members of the assessment committee:
Professor Xavier Estivill, Centre for Genomic Regulation (CRG), Barcelona, Spain
Associate Professor Jeppe Vinther, Department of Biology, University of Copenhagen
Professor Torben Heick Jensen (chair), Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics, Aarhus University
Main supervisor:
Professor Jørgen Kjems, Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics, Aarhus University
Language: The 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.