During the course of her PhD studies, Karina Hansen Kjær focused her research on the viral-suppressant 2-5A system. This key intracellular system is part of the innate immune system, and it is activated immediately after viral infection.

Her research work provides an important basis for understanding the mechanisms used by the body’s cells to combat viral attacks. When combating viruses, the 2-5A system also breaks down and destroys the cell’s own components, which can ultimately result in extensive cell death, as well as damage to vital organs. Errors or mutations in the 2-5A system have been related to different diseases, such as multiple sclerosis and type 1 diabetes, as well as a number of viral infections. The focal point of Karina Hansen Kjær’s research studies was 2-5A enzymes, and her results contribute to the understanding of the role of the 2-5A system, as well as describing the consequences of known mutations in relation to the diseases mentioned above.

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

Time: Wednesday 21 November 2012 at 14.00
Place: Lecture Theatre G2, Department of Mathematics, Aarhus University
Title of dissertation: Functional Analysis of the Human Oligoadenylate Synthetase 1 (OAS1) and the 2?5A System
Contact information: Karina Hansen Kjær, knk@mb.au.dk
Members of the assessment committee:
Professor Margo Ann Brinton, Department of Biology, University of Pennsylvania, USA
Associate Professor Gert Helge Hansen, Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, University of Copenhagen
Associate Professor Charlotte Rohde Knudsen (chair), Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics, Aarhus University
Main supervisor:
Associate Professor Pia Møller Martensen, Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics, Aarhus University
Co-supervisor:
Associate Professor Just Justesen, 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.