During his PhD studies, Andreas Bøtker Pedersen studied a new method for transfer of chemical information in synthetic cells through a new design in artificial receptors. This was performed through synthesis of molecules capable of converting an extracellular signal to an intracellular response. Andreas Bøtker Pedersen synthesised several molecules that were designed to degrade on specific stimuli and subsequently lead to activation of cellular processes such as protein degradation or RNA synthesis.

This new mechanism in artificial receptors represents a potential in making more responsive synthetic cells for future studies of artificial life forms or new biotechnological tools.

The PhD study was completed at Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Natural Sciences, Aarhus University.

This summary was prepared by the PhD student.

Time: Tuesday, 8 October 2024 at 8.00 am
Place: 1170-347, Aarhus University, Ole Worms Allé 3 , 8000 Aarhus C
Title of PhD thesis: Artificial Receptors – Self-Immolative Mechanisms for the Design of Artificial Cell Communication Pathways
Contact information: Andreas Bøtker Pedersen, e-mail: andpedersen@outlook.dk, tel.: +45 27513023
Members of the assessment committee:
Professor Dr. Thomas Schrader, Institute for Organic Chemistry, University of Duisburg-Essen, Germany
Professor Dr. Nico Bruns, Department of Chemistry, Technical University of Darmstadt, Germany
Associate Professor Dr. Martin Bremholm (chair), Department of Chemistry, Aarhus University, Denmark
Main supervisor:
Professor Dr. Alexander N. Zelikin, Department of Chemistry, 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, Ny Munkegade 120, building 1521, 8000 Aarhus C