About Aarhus University
Ditlev Egeskov Brodersen
Professor
Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics - Protein Science
Universitetsbyen 81
building 1874, 457
8000 Aarhus C
Denmark
Phone: +4521669001
Mobile: +4521669001
https://mbg.au.dk/en/ditlev-e-brodersen
Microbial survival mechanisms
We are interested in uncovering fundamental, molecular mechanisms underlying central survival mechanisms in both bacteria and archaea with the aim of understanding how microorganisms respond to nutritional stress, antibiotics, and other changes in their environment. Knowledge of these mechanisms can be used to develop new antimicrobial drugs. We use bioinformatics analysis of bacterial (meta) genomes, classical biochemistry as well as hybrid methods in structural biology (x-ray crystallography, electron microscopy, and small-angle x-ray scattering) and microbiology (physiology and growth) in our work.
Current projects:
- Mechanism of activation and activity of bacterial RNase (VapBC, RelBE, HicAB) and kinase (HipBA) toxin-antitoxin systems.
- Understanding how phosphonate compounds are utilised as sources of phosphorous via the carbon-phosphorus lyase pathway in E. coli.
- Understanding the interplay between toxin-antitoxin systems and CRISPR-Cas immunity in bacteria and archaea.
- Regulation of (p)ppGpp synthesis and the effects of the alarmone during stress in bacteria.
More about the research in the lab.
Teaching
- Lecturer and course responsible teacher on the bachelor course "Biomolecular Structure and Function" (10 ECTS, 2017-)
- Organiser of a PhD course in structural biology (Parma University, Italy, 2017-2019)
- Lecturer and teacher on the Master's/PhD course "Structural biology" (10 ECTS, 2011-2017)
- Development of modern, research-based teaching methods.
- Development of educational IT, founder of the learning platform, curriculearn.dk
- Use of modern technology in teaching.
Research areas
- 3D structures of large molecules
- Bacteria Stringent reponse
- Electronic teaching aids
- Enzymes and artificial enzymes
- Microbial processes and substance cycles Survival mechanisms
- Nanoscience and nanotechnology Single particle electron microscopy
- RNA
- Robots Automated crystallisation screening
- Structural Analysis Visualisation and comparison of protein structures
- Teaching goals and methods
- X-ray crystallography
- Published
Structural basis for inhibition of an archaeal CRISPR-Cas type I-D large subunit by an anti-CRISPR protein
Manav, M. C., Van, L. B., Lin, J., Fuglsang, A., Peng, X. & Brodersen, D. E., Nov 2020, In: Nature Communications. 11, 1, 10 p., 5993.Research output: Contribution to journal/Conference contribution in journal/Contribution to newspaper › Journal article › Research › peer-review
- Published
Structural Basis for Toxin Inhibition in the VapXD Toxin-Antitoxin System
Bertelsen, M. B., Senissar, M., Nielsen, M. H., Bisiak, F., Cunha, M. V., Molinaro, A. L., Daines, D. A. & Brodersen, D. E., Feb 2021, In: Structure. 29, 2, p. 139-150.e3Research output: Contribution to journal/Conference contribution in journal/Contribution to newspaper › Journal article › Research › peer-review
The RES domain toxins of RES-Xre toxin-antitoxin modules induce cell stasis by degrading NAD+
Skjerning, R. B., Senissar, M., Winther, K. S., Gerdes, K. & Brodersen, D. E., Jan 2019, In: Molecular Microbiology. 111, 1, p. 221-236 16 p.Research output: Contribution to journal/Conference contribution in journal/Contribution to newspaper › Journal article › Research › peer-review
- Published
Toxins, Targets, and Triggers: An Overview of Toxin-Antitoxin Biology
Harms, A., Brodersen, D. E., Mitarai, N. & Gerdes, K., 7 Jun 2018, In: Molecular Cell. 70, 5, p. 768-784 17 p.Research output: Contribution to journal/Conference contribution in journal/Contribution to newspaper › Review › Research › peer-review
Anti-CRISPR proteins encoded by archaeal lytic viruses inhibit subtype I-D immunity
He, F., Bhoobalan-Chitty, Y., Van, L. B., Kjeldsen, A. L., Dedola, M., Makarova, K. S., Koonin, E. V., Brodersen, D. E. & Peng, X., Apr 2018, In: Nature Microbiology. 3, 4, p. 461-469 9 p.Research output: Contribution to journal/Conference contribution in journal/Contribution to newspaper › Journal article › Research › peer-review
Structural basis for (p)ppGpp synthesis by the Staphylococcus aureus small alarmone synthetase RelP
Manav, M. C., Beljantseva, J., Bojer, M. S., Tenson, T., Ingmer, H., Hauryliuk, V. & Brodersen, D. E., 2018, In: Journal of Biological Chemistry. 293, 9, p. 3254-3264 11 p.Research output: Contribution to journal/Conference contribution in journal/Contribution to newspaper › Journal article › Research › peer-review
Toxin inhibition in C. crescentus VapBC1 is mediated by a flexible pseudo-palindromic protein motif and modulated by DNA binding
Bendtsen, K. L., Xu, K., Luckmann, M., Winther, K. S., Shah, S. A., Pedersen, C. N. S. & Brodersen, D. E., 17 Mar 2017, In: Nucleic Acids Research. 45, 5, p. 2875-2886 12 p.Research output: Contribution to journal/Conference contribution in journal/Contribution to newspaper › Journal article › Research › peer-review
- Published
Structural insights into the bacterial carbon - phosphorus lyase machinery
Seweryn, P., Van, L. B., Kjeldgaard, M., J. Russo, C., A. Passmore, L., Hove-Jensen, B., Jochimsen, B. & Brodersen, D. E., Sept 2015, In: Nature. 525, p. 68-72 5 p.Research output: Contribution to journal/Conference contribution in journal/Contribution to newspaper › Journal article › Research › peer-review
VapC20 of Mycobacterium tuberculosis Cleaves the Sarcin Ricin Loop of 23S rRNA
Winther, K. S., Brodersen, D. E., Brown, A. K. & Gerdes, K., 14 Nov 2013, In: Nature Communications. 4, 9 p., 2796.Research output: Contribution to journal/Conference contribution in journal/Contribution to newspaper › Journal article › Research › peer-review
- Published
The structure of intact E. coli RelBE suggests a structural basis for conditional cooperativity.
Bøggild, A., Sofos, N. E., Easter, A. D., Passmore, L. & Brodersen, D., 2012.Research output: Contribution to conference › Conference abstract for conference › Research › peer-review
Structural studies of microbial defence mechanisms
Ditlev E. Brodersen (Lecturer)
16 Aug 2018Activity: Talk or presentation types › Lecture and oral contribution
Down the rabbit hole
Ditlev E. Brodersen (Lecturer)
30 Oct 2017Activity: Talk or presentation types › Lecture and oral contribution
Discrete Structural Dynamics of Pseudo-Palindromic Motifs Control DNA Binding of Bacterial Toxin-Antitoxin Complexes
Ditlev E. Brodersen (Lecturer)
23 Apr 2017Activity: Talk or presentation types › Lecture and oral contribution
ST Education Award 2017
Brodersen, Ditlev E. (Recipient), 25 Aug 2017
Prize: Prizes, scholarships, distinctions
Ditlev Brodersen awarded prestigious visiting professorship at Università di Parma
05/04/2017
1 Media contribution
Press/Media: Press / Media
Novel learning platform developed at MBG
11/06/2014
1 item of Media coverage
Press/Media: Press / Media
ID: 4930