During the course of her PhD studies, Mariann Fagernæs Hansen investigated the folate receptor protein, which can naturally bind folic acid. The folate receptor is important for cell growth and is present on the surface of many cancer cells. In many countries, folic acid is added as a dietary supplement in food such as flour and breakfast products.

In collaboration with colleagues, Mariann Fagernæs Hansen found that folic acid triggers a STAT3 signal pathway via the folate receptor, and this plays an important role in the development of cancer. In experiments with mice, she also found that a diet with a high content of folic acid increased the growth of breast tumours. Because the folate receptor was present in the tumours, it is possible that the newly discovered signal pathway via the folate receptor contributes to the increase in tumour growth by folic acid.

In the long term, these studies could question the addition of folic acid in food products and thereby avoid increased tumour growth in people with undiagnosed cancer.

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

Time: Friday 24 January 2014 at 13.00
Place: Lecture Theatre F, building 1534, room 125, Department of Mathematics, Aarhus University
Title of dissertation: New Roles of Folate Receptor alpha in Oncogenic Cell Signalling
Contact information: Mariann Fagernæs Hansen, mfh@mb.au.dk, +45 6069 3668
Members of the assessment committee:
Professor Cord Herbert Brakebusch, Biotech Research and Innovation Centre (BRIC), University of Copenhagen
Adjunct Assistant Professor Linda E. Kelemen, Department of Medical Genetics and Department of Oncology, University of Calgary, Canada
Associate Professor Bjarne Bonven (chair), Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics, Aarhus University
Main supervisor:
Associate Professor Pia Møller Martensen, 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.