During her studies, Anna Karina Juhl investigated antennas of cells (cilia) using zebrafish as a model organism. Even though cilia were discovered in 1675, it is only in recent years they have been recognized for their importance in several human diseases. More specifically, Anna Karina Juhl investigated if the common growth regulator system affected development of cilia. If cilia do not develop properly it can affect numerous parts of the body resulting in e.g. infertility, blindness and kidney diseases.

The findings of this study provide the first ever clues to how the growth system regulator proteins PAPP-A and PAPP-A2 regulate cilia development. This will benefit future research in understanding basic function and diseases related to both cilia and growth system signaling.

The PhD study was completed at Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics, Faculty of Natural Sciences, Aarhus University. 

This summary was completed by the PhD student.

Time: Wednesday 11 Novemeber 2020 at 13:00
Place: The PhD defence will be held online. To receive a link to the event, please send an e-mail to Tina Stenshøj Kaysen, tist@au.dk 
Title of PhD thesis: In vivo analysis of the Pappalysins in relation to cilia and generation of transgenic models
Contact information: Anna Karina Juhl, e-mail: annakarinajuhl@gmail.com, tel.: +45 40599588
Members of the assessment committee:
Associate professor Arimantas Lionikas, School of Medicine, Medical Sciences and Nutrition Institute of Medical Sciences, University of Aberdeen, Scotland
Professor Kåre Lehmann Nielsen, The Faculty of Engineering and Science, Section of Biotechnology Functional Genomics, Aalborg University, Denmark
Associate Professor Knud Larsen, Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics, Aarhus University (chair)
Main supervisor:
Professor Claus Oxvig, Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics, Aarhus University.
Language: The PhD dissertation will be defended in English

The defence is public.

Due to the coronavirus situation, the PhD thesis will not be available for reading at the offices of the PhD administration. Instead, interested parties may send an e-mail to gradschool.nat@au.dk to receive a digital copy of the PhD thesis. Please note, it may in certain cases be necessary to make an individual arrangement to read the PhD thesis.