On 13 October 2021, M.M.J. Mens will defend her PhD dissertation, entitled: ‘Think Big, Epidemiological Research on Tiny Molecules: The role of microRNAs in age-related diseases ’.
- Promotor
- Co-promotor
- Date
- Wednesday 13 Oct 2021, 15:30 - 17:00
- Type
- PhD defence
- Space
- Professor Andries Querido room
- Building
- Education Center
- Location
- Erasmus MC
A phenomenon within epigenetics is non-coding RNAs. The most studied small non-coding RNA class are microRNAs (miRNAs), consisting of 20-24 nucleotides. Previous research has shown that miRNAs play important roles in both developmental processes, including cell proliferation and differentiation, and pathological conditions. Moreover, given the high sensitivity and specificity, as well as the non-invasive detectability of miRNAs from accessible sources such as blood, these non-coding RNA molecules make promising candidates as diagnostic and prognostic biomarkers for human diseases. In this thesis, our aim was to characterize miRNAs that are potential biomarkers for aging and age-related diseases at the population level. We identified differential miRNA expression patterns for individuals with underlying metabolic and vascular disease conditions, including type 2 diabetes, coronary artery disease, fatty liver disease and stroke. By integrating large scale population-based omics data, including GWAS, DNA methylation, metabolites, and miRNA expression data, this thesis provides a step forward in understanding the underlying pathways and molecular mechanisms of age-related diseases.
The public defence will take place at the Prof. Andries Queridoroom, 3rd floor Education Center, Erasmus MC. The ceremony will begin exactly at 10.30 AM. In light of the solemn nature of the ceremony, we recommend that you do not take children under the age of 6 to the first part of the ceremony.
