Mette Dalgaard Ebbesen Jepsen:Measurement of distances in synthetic biological structures with nanometer precision

Using the human genome (DNA), it is possible to fold synthetic structures that can potentially be used for various practical purposes, for example in relation to medical treatment. This is done using a technique called "DNA origami" which uses the special properties of DNA to fold structure along the same principles as used when doing a lotus flower by folding plain paper, except that in the nature of DNA nature, we operate with very small sizes. During her PhD studies, Mette Dalgaard Ebbesen Jepsen has studied several different structures formed from this principle, including a box made of DNA, which in a controlled manner could be opened and closed.

To analyse the structural changes in these DNA structures, Mette Dalgaard Ebbesen Jepsen has used a method in which light is used to measure very small distances, between 2 and 10 nm. 10 nm corresponds to 0.00001 mm, and for comparison, a full stop in this text is about 0.5 mm, that is 50,000 times larger. The method was, for example, used to measure the distance between the lid and the box. By examining this distance, we have shown that the box only opens in the presence of certain biomolecules. These biomolecules are present for example on the surface of diseased cells, and in this way the box can be used to transport the drug to the vicinity of the diseased cells.

The PhD degree was completed at the Interdisciplinary Nanoscience Center (iNANO), Science and Technology, Aarhus University.

Time: Wednesday, 27 August 2014 at 13.15
Place: 1110-223, the Lecture Theatre, C. F. Møllers Allé 8, Aarhus University
Title of dissertation: Nucleic Acid Nanostructures Studied by FRET
Contact information: Mette Dalgaard Ebbesen Jepsen, e-mail: mettebj@inano.au.dk
Members of the assessment committee:
Professor Tim Liedl, Faculty of Physics, Ludwig-Maximillians Universität München, Germany
Professor, Head of the Lundbeck Foundation Center for Biomembranes in Nanomedicine Dimitrios Stamou, Nano-Science Center and institute of Chemistry, University of Copenhagen
Professor Daniel Otzen (chair), iNANO and Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics, Aarhus University
Main supervisor:
Professor Jørgen Kjems, iNANO and Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics, Aarhus University
Co-supervisor:
Associate Professor Victoria Birkedal, iNANO, Aarhus University
Language: The PhD 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.

Afhandlingen ligger til gennemsyn hos Graduate School of Science and Technology/GSST, Ny Munkegade 120, bygning 1521, lokale 112, 8000 Aarhus C.