During her PhD studies, Maria Stenum Hansen investigated how milk-derived membrane-enclosed vesicles contribute to intestinal cell signaling. These extracellular vesicles withstand gastrointestinal digestion and reach the intestine, where they are absorbed.

Maria Stenum Hansen studied how milk-derived extracellular vesicles downregulated secretion of inflammatory molecules from intestinal cells during inflammation.  These new research findings contribute to the understanding of extracellular vesicles as bioactive milk components delivering messages from mother to infant and thereby participate in instruction of the infant’s immune system.

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

Time: Tuesday, 2 November 2021 at 13:00
Place: Building 1253, room 211, Lecture Theatre Merete Barker, Søauditorierne, Aarhus University, Bartholins Allé 3, 8000 Aarhus.
Title of PhD thesis: Characterization and bioactivities of bovine milk derived extracellular vesicles
Contact information: Maria Stenum Hansen, e-mail: msh@mbg.au.dk, tel.: +45 28715349

Members of the assessment committee:
Professor Alan Kelly, School of Food and Nutritional Sciences, University College Cork, Ireland
Associate Professor Malene Møller Jørgensen, Department of Clinical Medicine, Aalborg University, Denmark
Associate Professor Knud Larsen (chairman), Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics, Aarhus University, Denmark

Main supervisor:
Senior Scientist Jan Trige Rasmussen, Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics, Aarhus University, Denmark

Co-supervisor:
Senior R&D Manager Marie Stampe Ostenfeld, Nutrition & Health, Discover R&D, Arla Foods Ingredients, Denmark

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.