During her studies, Cagla Sahin has investigated the self-assembly process of proteins related to neurodegenerative diseases. Misfolding of certain proteins change the properties and function hereof, which can lead to cell death causing neurodegenerative diseases. Using a variety of biophysical techniques, Cagla studied the self-assembly of the protein, ?-synuclein, which is associated with Parkinson's Disease. ?-synuclein is a small protein where its physiological role is not completely established. ?-synuclein was tested under the influence of different factors to obtain a better understanding of the assembly process as well as the mechanism behind Parkinson's Disease e.g. by investigating how misfolding and cell death can be inhibited by small-molecules and antibodies.

The new research findings contribute to the understanding of how the self-association of certain types of proteins are crucial for disease, as well as which details in this process induce the toxic species.

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

This résumé was prepared by the PhD student.


Time: Wednesday 27 June 2018 at 13:15
Place: Building 1593, room 012, the Lecture Theatre, iNANO House, Aarhus University, Gustav Wieds Vej 14, 8000 Aarhus C
Title of PhD thesis: An aggregate by any other name: Factors controlling ?-synuclein oligomer formation and function.
Contact information: Cagla Sahin, e-mail: cagla@inano.au.dk, tel.: +45 28186082
Members of the assessment committee:
Professor Frank Sobott, School of Molecular and Cellular Biology, Faculty of Biological Sciences, University of Leeds, United Kingdom
Professor Birthe Brandt Kragelund, Department of Biology, University of Copenhagen
Associate Professor Ditlev Egeskov Brodersen (chair), Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics, Aarhus University
Main supervisor:
Professor Daniel Otzen, iNANO, Aarhus University
Co-supervisors:
Professor Emeritus Ian Max Møller, Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics, Aarhus University
Associate Professor Thomas J. D. Jørgensen, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Southern University of Denmark
Language: The PhD dissertation will be defended in English

The defence is public.