Darius Kavaliauskas: Structure-function studies of bacterial translation elongation factor Tu one molecule at a time
PhD defence, Wednesday 24 October 2012. Darius Kavaliauskas
During his PhD studies, Darius Kavaliauskas investigated the bacterial translation elongation factor Tu (EF-Tu), which is a key player in protein biosynthesis. During protein biosynthesis, the genetic information of a cell is translated into proteins. EF-Tu brings amino acids to the ribosome, while the ribosome joins them to build the new protein.
Darius Kavaliauskas studied the behaviour of fluorescently labelled EF-Tu under a single-molecule fluorescence microscope during the delivery of amino acids to the ribosome. Analysis of individual EF-Tu molecules revealed important details about their conformational dynamics and how they influence the selection of correct amino acids by the ribosome.
A more complete understanding of EF-Tu function could contribute to the design of new antibiotics as EF-Tu remains a poorly exploited drug target.
The PhD degree was completed at the Interdisciplinary Nanoscience Centre (iNANO), Science and Technology, Aarhus University.
Time: Wednesday 24 October 2012 at 13.15
Place: Lecture Theatre, iNANO House, building 1593, room 012, Gustav Wieds Vej 14, Aarhus University
Title of dissertation: FRET-based structure-function studies of translation elongation factor Tu
Contact information: Darius Kavaliauskas, dak@mb.au.dk
Members of the assessment committee:
Professor Stephen Roger Douthwaite, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Southern Denmark
Dr Martin Webb, MRC National Institute for Medical Research, London, UK
Professor Daniel Otzen (chair), iNANO and Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics, Aarhus University
Main supervisor:
Associate Professor Charlotte Rohde Knudsen, iNANO and 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.