Thomas Beuchert Kallehauge: When mRNA export goes wrong and dots are generated
PhD defence, Thursday 29 March 2012. Thomas Beuchert Kallehauge.
News-itemDuring his PhD studies, Thomas Beuchert Kallehauge carried out research into the key processes responsible for making sure that poor-quality mRNA is not released into the cytoplasm.
mRNA is the link between the genetic code stored in the DNA in the cell nucleus and proteins that are responsible for all cellular processes. His studies focused particularly on the fate of the mRNA in situations where its export from the cell nucleus to the cytoplasm is blocked. If genes essential for the formation of export-competent mRNAs are mutated in yeast, an accumulation of mRNA can be observed in specific foci in the cell nucleus. These accumulations are called dots. Using advanced microscopy and biochemical analyses, Thomas Beuchert Kallehauge focused on analysing the fate of this mRNA retained as dots. The studies were to determine i) whether the mRNA is ‘junk RNA’ waiting to be broken down, or ii) whether the mRNA retains its functionality and just waits to mature and be released into the cytoplasm, where it can carry out its function.
The PhD degree was completed at the Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics, Aarhus University, and the Montpellier Institute of Molecular Genetics (IGMM), France.
Time: Thursday 29 March 2012 at 15.15
Place: Lecture Theatre G1, building 1532, room 116, Department of Mathematics, Aarhus University
Title of dissertation: Functional Capacity of Nuclear Retained mRNA
Contact information: Thomas Beuchert Kallehauge, tbk@mb.au.dk, +45 2095 2862
Members of the assessment committee:
Dr Françoise Stutz, Department of Cell Biology, University of Geneva, Switzerland
Professor Olaf Nielsen, Department of Biology, University of Copenhagen
Associate Professor Ditlev Brodersen, Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics, Aarhus University
Main supervisor:
Professor Torben Heick Jensen, Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics, Aarhus University
Co-supervisor:
Staff Scientist Edouard Bertrand, Montpellier Institute of Molecular Genetics (IGMM), France
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.