During his PhD studies, Michael T. Solgaard J. investigated how human cells regulate the synthesis of ribosomal proteins, and by extension, ribosome biogenesis. Owing to mTORC1-mediated phosphorylation of LARP1, the human cell is capable of controlling the expression of TOP mRNAs, which encode nearly all ribosomal proteins needed for ribosome biogenesis. By studying the effect of LARP1 phosphorylation on TOP mRNA abundance and translation, Michael T. Solgaard J. examined the mechanisms that enable the mTORC1-LARP1 axis to oversee ribosome biogenesis.

This research characterizes the acute details regarding phosphorylation patterns that control LARP1, and it also contributes to the understanding of LARP1-mediated control of mRNA abundance.

The PhD study was completed at the Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics, Faculty of Natural Sciences, Aarhus University

This summary was prepared by the PhD student

Time: Friday 2 October 2020, at 1:00 PM

Place: Building 1252, room 204, Eduard Biermann Lecture Theatre (Lakeside Lecture Theatres), Aarhus University, Bartholins Allé 3, 8000 Aarhus C
Title of PhD thesis: Controlling ribosome biogenesis by mTORC1-mediated phosphorylation of LARP1
Contact information: Michael Theis Solgaard Jensen, e-mail: msolgaardj@mbg.au.dk, tel: +4522773796
Members of the assessment committee:
Professor Martin Bushell, Beatson Institute for Cancer Research, University of Glasgow, United Kingdom
Professor Brage Storstein Andresen, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Southern Denmark, Denmark
Associate professor Knud Erik Larsen (chairman), Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics, Faculty of Natural Sciences, Aarhus University, Denmark.
Main supervisor:
Associate professor Christian Kroun Damgaard, Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics, Faculty of Natural Sciences, Aarhus University, Denmark
Language: The PhD dissertation will be defended in English

Interested parties outside Aarhus University can attend the PhD defense online. To receive a link to the event, please send an email to Helle Homann (heho@mbg.au.dk).

Due to the coronavirus situation, Aarhus University is physically closed. Therefore, the PhD thesis will not be available for reading at the offices of the PhD administration. Instead, interested parties may send an e-mail to gradschool.nat@au.dk, and receive a digital copy of the PhD thesis. Please note, it may in certain cases be necessary to make an individual arrangement to read the PhD thesis.