During her PhD studies, Anne-Kathrine Kure Larsen investigated several approaches to introduce and understand mechanical force influence on the single cell level. This is of special interest in the field of mechanobiology where researchers try to understand the cell response to mechanical changes in its environment. This can both help to understand basic cell biology and how such changes are implicated in various diseases. Anne-Kathrine Kure Larsen studied how light-induced micropatterning can be used to both control the density of extracellular matrix proteins on a surface and to make 2.5D microstructures for studying the influence on e.g. heart and brain cell behavior. Furthermore, a new approach in the form of a protein crystal was evaluated for its applicability to induce mechanical force on cells from their inside.
The new research findings contribute to the development and understanding of how we can utilize these tools to gain new insights into single cell mechanobiology.

The PhD study was completed at Interdisciplinary Nanoscience Center, Faculty of Natural Sciences, Aarhus University.

This summary was prepared by the PhD student.

Time: Wednesday, 3 April 2024 at 13.00
Place: Building 1531, room 119, Lecture Theatre Aud-D2, Department of Mathematics, Aarhus University, Ny Munkegade 118, 8000 Aarhus C
Title of PhD thesis: Investigating Cell Mechanobiology by Extracellular and Intracellular Approaches
Contact information: Anne-Kathrine Kure Larsen, e-mail: akla@inano.au.dk, tel.: +45 28292366

Members of the assessment committee:
Professor Rui Bing Wang, Institute of Chinese Medical Sciences, University of Macau, China

Professor Ana Paula Pêgo, Instituto de Investigação e Inovação em Saúde (i3S), Universidade do Porto, Portugal

Professor Jeppe Vang Lauritsen (chair), Interdisciplinary Nanoscience Center, Aarhus University, Denmark

Main supervisor:
Professor Mingdong Dong, Interdisciplinary Nanoscience Center, 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.