During the course of her PhD studies, Helle Kristiansen carried out research into proteins that play a role in the defence against viral infection in humans and animals. All cells contain a considerable number of proteins that can directly or directly attack a virus and inhibit or completely stop its growth before it has become established and can cause disease.

Helle Kristiansen studied one of the proteins, which is called 2'-5'-oligoadenylate synthetase. She helped identify a new function of the protein regarding the way it can inhibit viral growth. The results she achieved contribute to the understanding of the defence against viral infection in humans and animals, and they contribute to the development of new pharmaceuticals targeting viral diseases.

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

Time: Friday 8 March 2013 at 13.00
Place: Lecture Theatre G1, building 1532, room 116, Department of Mathematics, Aarhus University
Title of dissertation: Antiviral Mechanisms of the 2'-5' Oligoadenylate Synthetase Family: Novel and Classical Antiviral Activities
Contact information: Helle Kristiansen, hek@mb.au.dk, +45 3061 6815
Members of the assessment committee:
Professor Robert H. Silverman, Cleveland Clinic, Case Western Reserve University, USA
Professor Thomas Michiels, de Duve Institute, Catholic University of Louvain, Belgium
Associate Professor Bjarne J. Bonven (chair), Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics, Aarhus University
Main supervisor:
Associate Professor Rune Hartmann, 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.