During her PhD studies, Sara Basse Hansen researched calcium transport investigating the structure and dynamics of a Ca²⁺-ATPase. The transport cycle of Ca²⁺-ATPases is energized by ATP hydrolysis, which in turn transports calcium across the cell membrane against a steep concentration gradient. To overcome this gradient and avoid reflux, it is crucial that an essentially irreversible step is present in the cycle. By using x-ray crystallography and cryogenic-electron microscopy, Sara Basse Hansen studied how domain movements of a bacterial Ca²⁺-ATPase, LMCA1, couple ATP hydrolysis to calcium release.

The new research findings contribute to the understanding of how Ca²⁺-ATPases overcome the irreversible step and thereby only transports calcium in one direction.

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

This summary was prepared by the PhD student.

Time: Tuesday, 4 July 2023 at 13:30
Place: Building 1253, room 211, Lecture Theatre Merete Barker Auditorium, The Lakeside Theatre, Aarhus University, Bartholins Allé 3, 8000 Aarhus C
Title of PhD thesis: Catching Calcium Transport in Motion: Structures and Dynamics

Contact information: Sara Basse Hansen, e-mail: sarabasse@mbg.au.dk, tel.: +45 24416465

Members of the assessment committee:
Associate Professor Markus Seeger, Institute of Medical Microbiology, University of Zurich, Switzerland 

Associate Professor Nikos Hatzakis, Deparment of Chemistry, University of Copenhagen, Denmark

Senior Resaercher Jan Trige Rasmussen (chair), Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics, Aarhus University, Denmark

Main supervisor:
Professor Poul Nissen, Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics, Aarhus University, Denmark

Co-supervisor:
Associate Professor Magnus Kjærgaard, Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics, Aarhus University, 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, Jens Baggesens Vej 53, building 5221, 8200 Aarhus N.