The trial lecture is: "Origin of ameboid migration in the immune system".
Time and place: September 26, 2022 10:15 AM, Gamle festsal(Urbygningen), Domus Academica
Main research findings
In my PhD project, I studied the functions of three different proteins of the Rab family. The Rab proteins are most known for regulating the transport between the different organelles within the cell, but increasing evidence demonstrate that they also take part in several other processes. We found a novel role for one of these Rab proteins in regulating cell migration and cancer spread. In addition, we discovered that another member of the Rab family has a specialized function in dendritic cells, which are part of the immune system. Dendritic cells find and present foreign substances to other immune cells to initiate an immune response. To do this, dendritic cells need to move efficiently to the lymph nodes, and we found that Rab7b plays an important role in regulating this process. Finally, we found that a Rab protein influences the last steps of cell division. Altogether, the work of this thesis sheds new light on the many and diverse roles of Rab proteins. Ultimately, we can use this knowledge to improve the treatment of different diseases.
Candidate contact information
Adjudication committee
Professor J. Paul Luzio, University of Cambridge
Dr. Pablo Vargas, Institut Necker Enfants-Malades
Dr. Sandra Lopez Aviles, University of Oslo
Chair of defence
Professor Kristian Prydz, University of Oslo
Supervisors
Professor Cinzia Anita Maria Progida, University of Oslo
Professor emeritus Oddmund Bakke, University of Oslo