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The overuse and accumulation of plastics in the environment are concerning and urgent challenges that need to be solved. While recycling can offer a partial solution, emerging biodegradation approaches involving microorganisms capable of breaking down complex polymers, offer a significant alternative. Microbial enzymes, in particular, have shown efficiency depolymerising synthetic polymers. Howeve
Lysogenic phages, also known as temperate phages, play a crucial role in horizontal gene transfer and the dissemination of antimicrobial resistance (AMR). Upon induction, they may package bacterial DNA alongside or instead of their own, facilitating the spread of antibiotic-resistant genes. Phage induction can be triggered by the host bacterium's stress responses. While stress-induced prophage
Breast cancer is the most commonly diagnosed cancer among women worldwide and a leading cause of cancer-related deaths. While most cancer cases are sporadic, approximately 5-10% are hereditary, with early-onset cases being more frequently associated with hereditary factors. They are often linked to mutations in DNA damage repair genes such as BRCA1/2, and their interacting partners, BARD1, BRIP1,
Stroke remains a leading cause of long-term disability worldwide, making effective recovery critical for minimizing residual impairments. Given the limited scope of pharmacological interventions in the post-stroke recovery phase, effective non-pharmacological strategies are essential for supporting better prognosis. One experimental approach to enhancing recovery in rodent models is environmental
Global post-industrial cities face the dual challenge of sustaining growth while repairing damaged ecosystems. Industrialization has left profound scars on both ecological networks and the urban fabric, demanding systematic spatial regeneration and environmental repair. Among these, abandoned brownfields hold unique potential: they offer opportunities to reshape urban structures, restore ecologica
Within the field of gender studies, this research aims to analyze the contemporary gendered constructions that are made through fashion trends on Tiktok. This interdisciplinary thesis on culture, fashion and social media utilises both Feminist Critical Discourse Analysis and Critical Visual methodology to study the multidimensional material of Tiktok videos with sound, visuals and text. Central th
Purpose - Explore how pioneer brands use their year of establishment (YoE) as part of their heritage communication, and the level to which they do so. Design and Methodology - Analyze 12 cases of pioneer brands to understand the circumstances of when they use their heritage and the patterns that emerge. Findings - Our cross-case analysis and use of secondary data support our hypothesis, such that
This thesis investigates the impacts of three major global disruptions: the COVID-19 pandemic, the Suez Canal blockage, and the Russia-Ukraine war on Sweden’s automotive exports, a critical sector contributing approximately 15% to Sweden’s total goods exports. Utilizing monthly export data from 2017 to 2024 and employing a Seasonal Auto-Regressive Integrated Moving Average model with exogenous inp
This thesis focuses on the issue of abortion rights in the Philippines, a country which maintains one of the strictest abortion laws globally, prohibiting abortion under all circumstances without exceptions. Despite severe penalties, unsafe abortions remain widespread, resulting in approximately 1.1 million induced abortions and around 1,000 maternal deaths annually. The interaction between the Ph
Purpose: This paper explores the phenomenon of unexpected co-branding – collaborations between brands with low strategic or functional fit – and identifies the key aspects that make such partnerships successful in the modern digital era. The study aims to extend Blackett and Boad’s (1999) hierarchy of shared value creation framework. Methodology: Through a qualitative, abductive multiple-case stu
This thesis examines users’ responses to immersive art installations and the curatorial challenges of exhibiting such hybrid, “phygital” forms. It asks: How do the virtual worlds created by Danish artist Jakob Kudsk Steensen evoke emotional responses and empathy, shaping users’ understanding of the world? How do exhibition design and curatorial aesthetics influence users’ embodied encounters wit
Every day, new decisions are made, ranging from trivial to critical, and their impact can vary greatly. Despite these differences, all decisions share a common goal: to choose the best possible action based on the knowledge available at the time. In some cases, past events offer little insight into what lies ahead. However, in many situations, especially in structured environments, historical patt
Industrial redevelopment has become an increasingly pressing urban challenge as cities expand and central industrial areas are drawn into the evolving urban fabric. While regeneration projects often succeed in giving former industrial sites new roles, the preservation of the industrial legacy is frequently reduced due to the conflicting demands between industrial and central urban functions. What
Purpose This paper aims to explore how low-cost brands can rejuvenate and create an emotionally engaging brand identity, moving beyond their low-price positioning. Methodology A qualitative research approach has been used, drawing on both primary and secondary data. The primary data consist of semi-structured interviews exploring low-cost brands and their marketing. The secondary data includes a
In the global race against climate change, the answer of the European Union is the transition towards a green economy by focusing on strengthening the competitiveness of the net-zero technology industry and securing the necessary critical materials. To do so, the Union presented two legislative acts in the European Green Deal Industrial Plan in 2023, amongst which the Net-Zero Industry Act. While
Age-associated B cells (ABCs) are a novel subtype of B cells that accumulate with ageing, during infection, and in the progression of autoimmune diseases. Still, their exact phenotype and effector functions remain unknown. In this thesis, we aimed to provide an immunological characterisation of human ABC subsets by phenotyping them before and after in vitro stimulation and evaluating the alteratio
Type 2 diabetes is characterized by pancreatic β-cell dysfunction and insulin resistance. There are various studies about the contributing molecular mechanisms, and our recent findings show that the complement inhibitor Cd59 might play a non-canonical role in insulin secretion. Specifically, knock-out of Cd59 greatly inhibits glucose-stimulated insulin secretion. This, however, can be rescued by t
Polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHAs) are microbial bio polyesters that offer a promising biodegradable alternative to petroleum-derived plastics. This thesis focuses on the production and characterization of medium-chain-length PHAs (mcl-PHAs) by Pseudomonas putida using octanoic acid as a carbon source. The main aim was to optimize key bioprocess parameters such as temperature, pH, dissolved oxygen (DO),
Enteroviruses are widespread pathogens implicated in acute illness and increasingly linked to chronic diseases such as type 1 diabetes. Despite their impact, no FDA-approved antiviral therapies exist for enterovirus infections. Resistance to direct-acting antivirals underscores the need for alternative strategies. Given enteroviruses’ dependence on host machinery, targeting host factors, particula
The human immune system is influenced by factors such as sex hormones, chromosomes, age, infections, and the environment, leading to distinct immune profiles between individuals and between sexes. Females typically mount stronger immune responses, increasing protection against infections but also susceptibility to autoimmune diseases. Testosterone, acting through the androgen receptor (AR), is a k
