Biochemistry and Biotechnology - Research

The Division of Biochemistry is actively engaged in research and the major topics are cell membranes and signal transduction in eukaryotic cells. The research groups are studying biosynthesis of membrane proteins, their intracellular transport, protein structure, cell adhesion, intracellular signaling in normal and malignant cells and membrane associated metalloproteases.

Core Facilities:

• Flow cytometry
  
• Biacore T100

Current research groups / projects in alphabetical order according to group leader

Professor Arto Annila: Biophysics
Description of natural processes by the 2nd law of thermodynamics. Protein NMR spectroscopy and small-angle scattering having emphasis on interaction phenomena, data interpretation and development of methods. >> Read more

Docent Eeva-Liisa Eskelinen: Lysosomal membrane proteins and autophagy in mammalian cells
The aims are to define the roles of the lysosomal membrane protein LAMP-2 in autophagy,
lysosome biogenesis, and intracellular cholesterol traffic, and to investigate the
mechanisms of autophagosome biogenesis and maturation. >> Read more

Professor Jukka Finne: Cell surface carbohydrates
Cell surface carbohydrates are important mediators of the interactions of cells and the external world. They are also involved in the pathogenesis of maladies such as cancer and bacterial diseases. >> Read more

Tuomas Haltia, docent, university lecturer: Biochemistry of denitrification
We are interested in metallo and membrane proteins and their structures and catalytic mechanisms. Our work involves growing bacteria, isolating membranes, purifying the proteins of interest and using a battery of methods to chacterise them. >> Read more

Professor Carl G. Gahmberg: Molecular studies on leukocyte adhesion
Leukocyte adhesion is of pivotal functional importance. The group studies in molecular detail leukocyte integrins, how they bind to their ligands and how they are activated. The integrin ligands ICAM-4 and ICAM-5 form another major object of study. >> Read more

Professor Kari Keinänen: AMPA Receptors
We wish to understand at molecular level how the structure and molecular interactions of AMPA receptors, a major subclass of glutamate-gated ion channels, relate to their central role in excitatory synaptic neurotransmission. >> Read more

Docent Esa Kuismanen: Endomembranes of the cell
Organization of the biosynthetic pathway. >> Read more

Docent Anne Leppänen: Molecular basis of protein-glycan interactions in leukocyte trafficking to sites of inflammation
The aim of this project is to have a clear understanding of the molecular determinants that are important for L-selectin binding to its ligand during lymphocyte homing into secondary lymphoid organs. >> Read more

University lecturer Ragna Rönnholm: The Golgi complex structure and function relationship in the intracellular membrane trafficking
The role of the two novel Golgi specific proteins GP49 and GP69 in Golgi structure/function is addressed. >> Read more

Pia Siljander, PhD, docent: Platelet-derived microparticles in health and disease
Platelets shed both microparticles and exosomes which can act as intercellular mediators
of information exchange in various physiological and pathological processes. >> Read more