RSS feedhttps://mbg.au.dk/en/studies/phd/phd-defencesen-gbFri, 29 Mar 2024 03:19:54 +0100Fri, 29 Mar 2024 03:19:54 +0100TYPO3 EXT:newsnews-76740Tue, 09 Apr 2024 09:47:00 +0200Adriana Chrenková: Study of the HipL toxin-antitoxin system and its potential role in phage defensehttps://mbg.au.dk/en/news-and-events/news-item/artikel/adriana-chrenkova-study-of-the-hipl-toxin-antitoxin-system-and-its-potential-role-in-phage-defensePhD defence, Tuesday 9 April 2024, Adriana ChrenkováDuring her PhD studies, Adriana Chrenková has studied bacterial kinases and their links to toxin-antitoxin systems and phage defence. Toxin-antitoxin systems are genetic elements in bacteria encoding a toxin protein and an antitoxin protein, able to counteract the toxin. Adriana Chrenková studied a bacterial kinase named HipL with an unusual internal translation initiation start site, presenting a novel way of regulating bacterial toxin-antitoxin systems, where both the toxin and the antitoxin are produced from a single gene. The research findings offer new insights into how bacterial toxin-antitoxin systems are regulated, and how they might be related to phage defense.

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: Tuesday, 9 April 2024 at 13:00
Place: Building 1870, room 816, Faculty Club, Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics, Aarhus University, Universitetsbyen 81, 8000 Aarhus C
Title of PhD thesis: Many from One: Studying Unusual Translational Regulation of a Bacterial Hip Kinase

Contact information: Adriana Chrenková, e-mail: adch@mbg.au.dk, tel.: +45 50 30 41 33

Members of the assessment committee:
Professor Maria Selmer, Department of Cell and Molecular Biology, Uppsala University, Sweden

Asc. Professor Sine Svenningsen, Department of Biology, University of Copenhagen, Denmark

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

Main supervisor:
Professor Ditlev Egeskov Brodersen, 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.

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PhD defenseLisbeth Heilesen17126488201712648820
news-76123Tue, 20 Feb 2024 08:24:00 +0100Nevin Korath Zacharia: Uncovering the structure and function of the ciliary protein IFT172https://mbg.au.dk/en/news-and-events/news-item/artikel/nevin-korath-zacharia-uncovering-the-structure-and-function-of-the-ciliary-protein-ift172PhD defence, Tuesday 20 February 2024, Nevin Korath ZachariaDuring his PhD studies, Nevin Korath Zacharia carried out research on the intraflagellar transport protein IFT172, a crucial player involved in the proper formation and function of cilia. Cilia are hair-like organelles that play a vital role in sensing extracellular signals and coordinating crucial signaling pathways in the human body. Despite being a hotspot for human disease mutations, a detailed understanding of IFT172's ciliary functions remains unknown. Nevin employed X-ray crystallography and an array of biochemical tools to investigate the structure and functions of IFT172. His research also explored the impact of mutations in IFT172 on signaling pathways coordinated by the cilium. The findings provided novel insights into IFT172's ciliary functions, interaction partners, and potential molecular mechanisms underlying IFT172 associated diseases. 

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

This summary has been prepared by the PhD student.

Time: Tuesday, 20th February 2024 at 14:00
Place: Building 1870, room 816, Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics, Aarhus University, Universitetsbyen 81, 8000 Aarhus C
Title of PhD thesis: Structural and biochemical characterization of the intraflagellar transport protein IFT172 uncovers an atypical U-box E3 ubiquitin ligase domain.
Contact information: Nevin Korath Zacharia, e-mail: nevin@mbg.au.dk, tel.: +45 50238859

Members of the assessment committee:
Professor Daniel Wüstner, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Southern Denmark, Denmark

Professor Helen Walden, School of Molecular Biosciences, University of Glasgow, Scotland

Professor Daan van Aalten (Chair), Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics, Aarhus University, Denmark

Main supervisor:
Associate Professor Esben Lorentzen, 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.

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PhD defenseLisbeth Heilesen17084138401708413840
news-75593Fri, 12 Jan 2024 14:42:00 +0100Fabien Bonneau: Shape and composition of native mRNA-containing particles isolated from yeast cellshttps://mbg.au.dk/en/news-and-events/news-item/artikel/fabien-bonneau-shape-and-composition-of-native-mrna-containing-particles-isolated-from-yeast-cellsPhD defence, Friday 12 January 2024, Fabien BonneauDuring his studies, Fabien Bonneau focused on how messenger RNAs (mRNAs) are packaged together with proteins. mRNAs carry the building plans of all proteins across different compartments within our cells. They are fragile molecules, themselves covered with proteins. Using yeast as a model system, Fabien Bonneau established procedures to isolate native mRNAs together with their protein coat. This material allowed him to identify a network of interactions likely responsible for giving these assemblies a compact shape.
The new research findings contribute to the understanding of how mRNAs are packaged into compact particles before travelling within our cells.
The PhD degree was obtained at the Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics, Faculty of Natural Sciences, Aarhus University. The work was carried out in the laboratory of Elena Conti at the Max Planck Institute of Biochemistry, Martinsried, Germany.

This summary was prepared by the PhD student.

Time: Friday, 12 January 2024  at 13:00
Place:

Zoom aarhusuniversity.zoom.us/j/62160337012


Title of PhD thesis: Isolation and Characterisation of Yeast Nuclear Messenger Ribonucleoproteins.
Contact information: Fabien Bonneau, e-mail: bonneau@biochem.mpg.de, tel.: +49 8985783626

Members of the assessment committee:
Professor   Françoise Stutz, Department of Cell Biology, Geneva University, Switzerland

Professor   Peter Brodersen, Department of Biology, Copenhagen University, Denmark

Professor   Ditlev Egeskov Brodersen (chair), Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics, Aarhus University, Denmark

Main supervisor:
Professor   Torben Heick Jensen, 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.

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PhD defenseLisbeth Heilesen17050669201705066920
news-75330Wed, 13 Dec 2023 09:28:00 +0100Lavinia Ioana Fechete: Unraveling legume biology through genomic and transcriptomic studieshttps://mbg.au.dk/en/news-and-events/news-item/artikel/udforskning-af-baelgplanternes-biologi-gennem-genomiske-og-transkriptomiske-studierPhD defence, Wednesday 13 December 2023, Lavinia Ioana FecheteDuring her PhD studies, Lavinia Ioana Fechete investigated diverse aspects of legume biology by analysing genomic and transcriptomic sequencing data. Legumes can engage in symbiosis with nitrogen-fixing bacteria, making them ideal crops for sustainable agriculture. Lavinia Ioana Fechete analysed three different legume species from a bioinformatics perspective, using genome assemblies and transcriptomic studies at the bulk and single-cell level.

The research results provide new insights into the evolution, development, and abiotic stress tolerance of the studied legume species.

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: Wednesday, 13 December 2023 at 12:00
Place: Building 1870, room 716, Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics, Aarhus University, Universitetsbyen 81, 8000 Aarhus C 
Title of PhD thesis: Bioinformatic insights into legume biology: genomic and transcriptomic analyses
Contact information: Lavinia Ioana Fechete, e-mail: lif@mbg.au.dk, tel.: +45 31855827

Members of the assessment committee:
Junior-Professor Arthur Korte, Center for Computational and Theoretical Biology, Julius-Maximilians-Universität Würzburg, Germany

Associate Professor Kedar Natarajan, Department of Biotechnology and Biomedicine, Technical University of Denmark, Denmark

Associate Professor Knud Erik Larsen (chair), Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics, Aarhus University

Main supervisor:
Professor Stig Uggerhøj Andersen, Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics, Aarhus University, Denmark

Co-supervisor:
Professor Mikkel Heide Schierup, Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics - Bioinformatics Research Centre (BiRC), 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.

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PhD defenseLisbeth Heilesen17024560801702456080
news-75239Tue, 07 Nov 2023 13:00:00 +0100Christian Enrico Rusbjerg-Weberskov: Periostin and its isoforms – improved understanding of periostin and its role in atopic dermatitishttps://mbg.au.dk/en/news-and-events/news-item/artikel/christian-enrico-rusbjerg-weberskov-periostin-and-its-isoforms-improved-understanding-of-periostin-and-its-role-in-atopic-dermatitis-1PhD defence, Thursday 7 December 2023, Christian Enrico Rusbjerg-WeberskovDuring his PhD studies, Christian Enrico Rusbjerg-Weberskov investigated the protein periostin and its role in the disease atopic dermatitis (AD), also known as eczema. AD affects up to every fifth child and every tenth adult and this PhD project contributes to improve the overall understanding of the disease. Christian Enrico Rusbjerg-Weberskov has studied various interesting characteristics of periostin and how these are implicated in development of AD. Unravelling the function of these characteristics might hold the key to a complete understanding of the function of periostin. 

The new research findings contribute to the understanding of the role of periostin in AD. The findings reach beyond AD and contribute to an improved understanding of the role of periostin in development, wound healing, and cancer. Additional outcomes of the PhD project are new methods to study a specific characteristic of periostin, which can greatly impact the future research of periostin in health and disease. 

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: Thursday, 7 December 2023 at 13:00
Place: Building 1871, room 120, Lecture Theatre AUD MBG, Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics, Aarhus University, Universitetsbyen 81, 8000 Aarhus C
Title of PhD thesis: Periostin in Atopic Dermatitis – A Biochemical Characterization of the Periostin C-terminal Domain, Splice Isoforms, and Disulfide Complexes
Contact information: Christian Enrico Rusbjerg-Weberskov, e-mail: christianew@mbg.au.dk, tel.: +45 51348873

Members of the assessment committee:

Professor Michael Toft Overgaard, Department of Chemistry and Bioscience, Aalborg University, Denmark

Professor Enikö Sonkoly, Department of Medical Sciences, Uppsala University, Sweden

Professor Ditlev Egeskov Brodersen (chair), Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics, Aarhus University, Denmark

Main supervisor:
Professor Jan J. Enghild, Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics, Aarhus University, Denmark

Co-supervisor:
Assistant professor Nadia Sukusu Nielsen, 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.

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PhD defenseimported:mb.au.dk:15:EventsLisbeth Heilesen16993584001699358400
news-74487Fri, 27 Oct 2023 14:46:00 +0200Nathalie Wyss: Analysis of antibodies and how we can improve themhttps://mbg.au.dk/en/news-and-events/news-item/artikel/nathalie-wyss-analysis-of-antibodies-and-how-we-can-improve-themPhD defence, Friday 27 October 2023, Nathalie WyssDuring her PhD studies, Nathalie Wyss researched how antibodies – the police molecules in our body – bind to their targets. Antibodies are Y-shaped particles that have the specialty to bind to potential threats e.g. pathogens with both arms simultaneously. This can immensely enhance their potential to clear out the foreign intruder. Nathalie Wyss studied how we can exactly measure the strong binding of antibodies and what looks it takes for the antibody but also the intruder to be efficiently detected.

The new findings contribute to the understanding of how antibodies can be improved to generate even better antibody formats as drugs against diseases.

The PhD study was completed at the Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics, Faculty of Natural Sciences, Aarhus University & the Department of Structure and Interaction Novo Nordisk A/S, Måløv

This summary was prepared by the PhD student.

Time: Friday 27th of October at 13.00.
Place: Molecular biology and Genetics (MBG), Nucleus auditorium, 1871-120, Aarhus University,
Title of PhD thesis: Avidity and multivalent target engagement in antibodies
Contact information: Nathalie Wyss, e-mail: nathiboll@hotmail.com, tel.: +45 52244214

Members of the assessment committee:
Professor Peter Kristensen, Department of Chemistry and Bioscience, University of Aalborg, DK,

Professor Björn Högberg, Department of Medical Biochemistry and Biophysics, Karolinska Institute, Sweden

Associate Professor, Pia Møller Martensen (chair), Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics Aarhus University, Denmark

Main supervisor:
Associate Professor Magnus Kjærgaard, Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics, Aarhus University, & Principal Scientist Charlotte Wiberg, Department of Structure and Interaction, Novo Nordisk A/S, Måløv, Denmark

Co-supervisor:
Scientific Director Jesper Ferkinghoff-Borg, Department of Machine Intelligence, Novo Nordisk A/S, DK

Principal Scientist Søren Lund, Department of Antibody Technologies, Novo Nordisk A/S, DK

Research Project Vice President Nikolaj Kulahin Roed, Global Project Management, Novo Nordisk A/S, DK

Professor Gregers Rom Andersen, Department of Molecular Biologz 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.

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PhD defenseLisbeth Heilesen16984107601698410760
news-74367Thu, 26 Oct 2023 13:37:00 +0200Josefine Lorentzen: Investigations of the complement system – gaining an understanding of complement receptor 3 Subheaderhttps://mbg.au.dk/en/news-and-events/news-item/artikel/josefine-lorentzen-afdaekning-af-komplementsystemet-paa-vej-mod-forstaaelse-af-komplement-receptor-3PhD defence, Thursday 26 October 2023, Josefine LorentzenDuring her PhD studies, Josefine Lorentzen studied the proteins in human complement system. The complement system is an important part of the innate immunity and protects our body against infections, but over activation has been attributed a role in the development of autoimmune and neurological diseases. Josefine Lorentzen studied how the complement receptor 3 recognises its ligands and how this leads to structural changes in the receptor.

The new research findings contribute to the understanding of ligand recognition by complement receptor 3 and the structural changes that the receptor undergoes.

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: Thursday, 26 October 2023 at 14:00
Place: Faculty Club (1870-816)
Title of PhD thesis: INVESTIGATING THE FORMATION, INHIBITION AND RECOGNITION OF COMPLEMENT C3 ACTIVATION PRODUCTS

Contact information: Josefine Lorentzen, e-mail: jl@mbg.au.dk, tel.: +45 28687471

Members of the assessment committee:
Professor Phoebe L. Stewart, Department of Pharmacology, Case Western Reserve University, USA

Professor Susanna Carola Fagerholm, Research Program of Molecular and Integrative Biosciences, University of Helsinki, Finland

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

Main supervisor:
Professor Gregers Rom Andersen, 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.

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PhD defenseLisbeth Heilesen16983202201698320220
news-74362Wed, 25 Oct 2023 12:02:00 +0200Sara Dam Kobberø: Can you have too much of a good thing? - Structural insights into the IGF-regulating protease PAPP-Ahttps://mbg.au.dk/en/news-and-events/news-item/artikel/sara-dam-kobberoe-for-meget-af-det-gode-strukturelle-studier-af-den-igf-regulerende-protease-papp-aPhD defence, Wednesday 25 October 2023, Sara Dam KobberøDuring her PhD studies, Sara Dam Kobberø researched the protein pregnancy-associated plasma protein (PAPP-A). PAPP-A is a proteolytic enzyme that releases insulin-like growth factor (IGF) by specific cleavage of IGF-binding proteins (IGFBPs), thereby releasing active IGF. IGF plays a key role in human growth and is involved in age-related diseases, e.g. cancer and cardiovascular disease. Through cryogenic-electron microscopy and biochemical studies Sara Dam Kobberø studied the interaction between PAPP-A and its inhibitor, STC2, and main substrate, IGFBP-4.

The new research findings contribute to the understanding of how the specific proteolytic activity of PAPP-A towards IGFBP-4 is highly regulated, and thereby the release of active IGF.   

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: Wednesday, 25 October 2023 at 10.30
Place: Building 1870, room 816, Faculty Club, Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics, Aarhus University, Universitetsbyen 81, 8000 Aarhus C
Title of PhD thesis: Structural and functional studies of the protease PAPP-A – Characterization of inhibitor and substrate interactions
Contact information: Sara Dam Kobberø e-mail: SDK@mbg.au.dk, tel.: +45 40795460

Members of the assessment committee:
Professor Briony Forbes, Flinders University, Flinders Medical Centre, Adelaide, Australia

Professor Kåre Lehmann Nielsen, Department of Chemistry and Bioscience, Aalborg University, Denmark

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

Main supervisor:
Professor Claus Oxvig, 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.

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PhD defenseLisbeth Heilesen16982281201698228120
news-74275Fri, 06 Oct 2023 12:03:00 +0200The statistical microscope: zooming in to reveal the hidden world of the microbiomehttps://mbg.au.dk/en/news-and-events/news-item/artikel/the-statistical-microscope-zooming-in-to-reveal-the-hidden-world-of-the-microbiomePhD defence, Friday 6 October 2023, Ib Thorsgaard JensenDuring his PhD, Ib Thorsgaard Jensen researched microbiome using statistical analysis. Microbiome data has challenging properties that makes statistical analysis difficult, and specialized modelling methodology is necessary. Ib Thorsgaard Jensen studied how different modelling choice impact the interpretation of the results and how correlations between the microbiome and other variables can be estimated. This research contributes to our current understanding of microbiomes by identifying methods most suitable to obtain useful biological insight.

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, 6 October 2023 at 13:00
Place: Nucleus Auditorium (1871-120) (tentative), Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics, Aarhus University, Universitetsbyen 81, 8000, Aarhus C
Title of PhD thesis: Unlocking Microbial Insights: Statistical Analysis and Inference of Complex Microbiome Data

Contact information: Ib Thorsgaard Jensen, e-mail: ibstat@mbg.au.dk.

Members of the assessment committee:
Professor Mads Nielsen, Department of Computer Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Denmark

Professor Oliver Ebenhöh, Institute of Quantitative and Theoretical Biology, Heinrich Heine University Düsseldorf, Germany

Associate professor Pia Møller Martensen, Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics, Aarhus University, Denmark

Main supervisor:
Professor Simona Radutiou, Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics, Aarhus University, Denmark

Co-supervisor:
Professor Rasmus Plenge Waagepetersen, Department of Mathematical Sciences, Aalborg University, Denmark

Professor Luc Janss, Center of Quantitative Genetics and Genomics, 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.

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PhD defenseLisbeth Heilesen16965865801696586580
news-74149Mon, 25 Sep 2023 09:37:00 +0200Breaking free from the tree – reconstructing the ancestral genomic history of specieshttps://mbg.au.dk/en/news-and-events/news-item/artikel/breaking-free-from-the-tree-reconstructing-the-ancestral-genomic-history-of-speciesPhD defence, Monday 25 September 2023, Iker Rivas-GonzálezThe ancestral history of the genomes of different species cannot be represented with a single phylogenetic tree. Instead, due to the effect of recombination, different parts of the genome have different evolutionary histories. Using statistical and computational tools to compare the mutations accumulated in the DNA of present-day species, Iker Rivas-González inferred these different evolutionary histories along the genomes of diverse animal groups, including primates, marsupials and birds. With this information, Iker Rivas-González characterized which genes were affected by natural selection in the ancestral species millions of years in the past, which include, for example, immune system genes. Apart from analyzing empirical data, Iker Rivas-González also contributed to developing new algorithms to reconstruct the ancestral history of species more accurately.
The PhD study was completed at Bioinformatics Research Centre (BiRC), Faculty of Natural Sciences, Aarhus University.

This summary was prepared by the PhD student.

Time: Monday, 25th September 2023 at 14:00
Place: Building 1870-716, Bioinformatics Research Centre (BiRC), Aarhus University, Universitetsbyen 81, 8000 Aarhus C
Title of PhD thesis: Ancestral multi-species population genomics

Contact information: Iker Rivas-González, e-mail: irg@birc.au.dk, tel.: +45 44 18 53 44

Members of the assessment committee:
Professor Richard Durbin, Department of Genetics, University of Cambridge, United Kingdom

Professor Matthew Hahn, Department of Biology and Department of Computer Science, Indiana University, United States of America

Associate Professor Thomas Bataillon (chair), Bioinformatics Research Centre (BiRC), Aarhus University, Denmark

Main supervisor:
Professor Mikkel Heide Schierup, Bioinformatics Research Centre (BiRC), 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.

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PhD defenseLisbeth Heilesen16956274201695627420