PhD defense, Monday 23 November 2020, Nasar Khan
2020.11.23 |
Nasar Khan
During his PhD studies, Nasar Khan researched the impact of host extracellular matrix (ECM) components in bacterial biofilms. Bacteria use host ECM components as anchors for firm attachment as well as incorporate them into biofilms. Nasar Khan studied how host ECM components like fibronectin dictate the successful attachment of Staphylococcal epidermidis to a medical implant surface, which become a cause of implant-associated infection in the body. The new research findings contribute to the understanding of how S. epidermidis binds selectively to surface-adsorbed fibronectin to initiate biofilm formation. This research discovered that S. epidermidis uses the protein Embp to bind selectively to fibrillated fibronectin in a Velcro-like manner, providing a secure adhesion to the implant surface. The knowledge generated adds a new layer to the considerations made in materials design for novel implant materials that will protect patients from biofilm infections.
The PhD study was completed at Interdisciplinary Nanoscience Center (iNANO), Faculty of Natural Sciences, Aarhus University.
This summary was prepared by the PhD student.
Time: Monday, 23 November 2020 at 13:15
Place: The PhD defence will be held online. To receive a link to the event, please send an e-mail to Rikke Louise Meyer rikke.meyer@inano.au.dk or Nasar Khan khan@inano.au.dk
Title of PhD thesis: Bacteria-Host Interactions in the Colonization on Medical Implants
Contact information: Nasar Khan, e-mail: khan@inano.au.dk , tel.: +45 91448619
Members of the assessment committee:
Professor Thomas Bjarnsholt, Costerton biofilm Centre, University of Copenhagen, Denmark
Professor Karin Jacobs, Department of Physics, Saarland University, Germany
Professor Jørgen Kjems (Chair), iNANO and Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics, Aarhus University, Denmark
Main supervisor:
Associate Professor Rikke Louise Meyer, iNANO and Department of Bioscience, Aarhus University, Denmark
Language: The PhD dissertation will be defended in English
The defense is public.
Due to the coronavirus situation, the PhD thesis will not be available for reading at the offices of the PhD administration. Instead, interested parties may send an e-mail to gradschool.nat@au.dk to receive a digital copy of the PhD thesis. Please note, it may in certain cases be necessary to make an individual arrangement to read the PhD thesis.
