PhD Defense by Helena M. D. Danielsen

Title: A Thermoplasmonic Platform for Investigating Membrane Repair

Abstract: The cell membrane is essential for cell survival, and to maintain its integrity, cells have developed robust PMR mechanisms. To study these mechanisms, an optical platform was developed utilizing thermoplasmonic heating. The findings suggest that the recruitment of ANXA5 and ANXA2 is vital for wound resealing following thermoplasmonic rupture. In addition, the response of actin to nuclear envelope disruption was investigated, revealing a large-scale reorganization of the actin cytoskeleton. Overall, the thermoplasmonic method holds great potential for the nanoscale study of both plasma membrane and nuclear repair, two intricate processes that are essential for the viability of metastatic cancer cells and may contribute to the development of novel therapeutic strategies.