Circular RNAs encompass a subset of RNA molecules characterised by their unique closed structure granting them a high level of stability compared to linear RNA transcripts. A large number of circular RNAs have been identified in our tissues and have been shown to regulate the activity of other RNAs and proteins. However, the exact mechanisms underlying their production and physiological relevance remain unclear.

During his PhD studies, Eoghan T. O’Leary has investigated how specific proteins contribute to the production of circular RNAs. He found that certain proteins can alter the availability of regulatory genomic elements in the flanking regions of circular RNAs to regulate circular RNA production. These new research findings provide further insights into how circular RNAs are produced.

The PhD degree was completed at the Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics, Natural Sciences, Aarhus University. This summary was prepared by the PhD student.

Time: March 11^th 14:00-17:00
Place: Building 1531, room 219, Auditorium D4, Department of Mathematics, Aarhus University, 8000 Aarhus C
Title of PhD Thesis: Long intron-associated RNA binding proteins regulate circular RNA biogenesis
Contact Information: Eoghan Thomas O’Leary; e-mail: etol@mbg.au.dk; tel: +45 42948916

Members of the assessment committee:
Professor Jan-Wilhelm Kornfeld, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Southern Denmark, Denmark
Associate Professor Jeremy Wilusz, Department of Biochemistry & Biophysics, University of Pennsylvania, USA
Professor Finn Skou Pedersen (chairman), Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics, Aarhus University

Main supervisor:
Assistant Professor Thomas Hansen, Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics, Aarhus University

Co-supervisor:
Professor Jørgen Kjems, iNANO and Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics, Aarhus University

Language: The PhD dissertation will be defended in English

The defence is public.

The PhD thesis is available for reading at the Graduate School of Natural Sciences/GSNS, Katrinebjergvej 89F, building 5132, 8200 Aarhus N.