During his PhD studies, Mathias B. Bertelsen researched the chemical modification of proteins for the application in biochemical research and drug development. The human body contains a wide array of different proteins, that carry out a diverse range of critical functions. One family of proteins are antibodies, which possess the capability to identify and bind specific antigens, thereby warning the immune system of any potential threats. All proteins are built of the same 21 amino acids and each amino acid has unique chemical properties. The chemical differences make it possible to bind molecules to the proteins, by targeting a specific amino acid.   

Mathias B. Bertelsen studied how the amino acid arginine on antibodies can be used to produce reversible antibody conjugates with novel functionalities. The research contributes to the field of antibody-drug-conjugate development, that has been used to combat different types of cancers like lymphoma and leukemia.

The PhD study was completed at Interdisciplinary Nanoscience Center (iNANO) and Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Natural Sciences, Aarhus University.

This summary was prepared by the PhD student.

Time: Thursday, 31 October at 12:15
Place: Building 1533, room 103, Aud E, Depart of Mathematics, Aarhus University, Ny Munkegade 118, 8000 Aarhus C.
Title of PhD thesis: Innovative Approaches in Protein Conjugation: Exploring Reversible, Phosphorous-Based, and Oligonucleotide Techniques
Contact information: Mathias B. Bertelsen, e-mail: mbb@inano.au.dk, tel.: +45 28187884

Members of the assessment committee:
Professor Dario Neri, Department of Chemistry and Applied Biosciences, ETH Zurich, Switzerland

Professor Kristian Strømgaard, Department of Drug Design and Pharmacology, University of Copenhagen, Denmark

Professor Duncan Sutherland (chair), Interdisciplinary Nanoscience Center (iNANO), Aarhus University, Denmark

Main supervisor:
Professor Kurt Vesterager Gothelf, iNANO and 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