During his PhD studies, Oleg Sitsel has worked on proteins called P1B-ATPases which transport heavy metals across cell membranes, the barriers which separate cells and intracellular compartments from their immediate environment. P1B-ATPases are important for correct regulation of cellular levels of metals such as copper and zinc, which are crucial for the well-being of all cells and are an indispensable part of many proteins. At the same time, an excess or deficiency of these elements can be lethal, as can be seen in the case of the human Menkes and Wilson diseases caused by malfunction of copper transporting P1B-ATPases.

Oleg Sitsel has studied copper and zinc transporting P1B-ATPases using a broad array of biochemical and biophysical techniques such as X-ray crystallography in order to obtain insight on how these proteins work at an atomic level. The research he conducted resulted in the discovery of an ion release pathway unique to copper transporting P1B-ATPases, as well as the first ever structures of a zinc transporting P1B-ATPase. These major breakthroughs in the field give hope for using these proteins in a range of new applications, from developing new antibiotics to creating heavy metal extracting plants.

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

This résumé is prepared by the PhD student.

Time: Friday 28 August 2015 at 10.00
Place: Bygning 3130, room 303, Aarhus University, Gustav Wieds Vej 10C, 8000 Aarhus C
Title of dissertation: Structural and functional studies of heavy metal ATPases
Contact information: Oleg Sitsel, e-mail: oleg@mbg.au.dk, tel.: +45 50 39 59 59
Members of the assessment committee:
Associate professor Kresten Lindorff-Larsen, Department of Biology, University of Copenhagen
Professor Richard Neutze, Department of Chemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Gothenburg, Sweden
Professor Finn Skou Pedersen, Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics, Aarhus University (chair)
Main supervisor:
Professor Poul Nissen, Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics, Aarhus University
Co-supervisor:
Associate professor Pontus Gourdon, Department of Biomedical Sciences, Copenhagen 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.