Viikki Campus
Viikki – Green Campus for Life Sciences
The Viikki Campus of the University of Helsinki is an important concentration in the field of biosciences, and it is often called the “green campus”.
The Campus is home to four faculties, two independent research institutes of the University of Helsinki and the Viikki Science Library. It has more than 6,500 students and 1,600 teachers in such fields as environmental science, pharmacy, veterinary medicine, food research and economics in addition to biosciences.
The Research Cooperation Programme on Viikki Campus aims to increase multidisciplinary and interdisciplinary research cooperation, as well as research support activities.
Read more: The Research Cooperation Programme (word)
Business of the future
The Campus also attracts an increasing number of businesses to the Helsinki Business and Science Park. The Finnish Game and Fisheries Research Institute, the Finnish Food Safety Authority Evira and a part of the MTT Agrifood Research Finland are also situated in Viikki.
Natural beauty
The Campus also has a unique tropical garden, Gardenia, co-owned by the City of Helsinki and the University of Helsinki, and the Viikinlahti conservation area, which is particularly popular among bird watchers.The residential area emphasizes ecological values.The natural surroundings, including recreational areas and nature reserves, form an unique combination with the other functions of the area.
Photo Liisa Lähteenmäki
Research stories
Freeze! A protein group affecting lipid dynamics at cell membranes discovered
BAR proteins can freeze the movement of certain lipid molecules in membranes almost completely. This finding by Pekka Lappalainen lab in the Institute of Biotechnology provides an important step towards understanding the functions and dynamics of cellular membranes.
Betulin derivatives: antiviral and antibacterial effects in vitro
Outer birch bark has up to 30% dry weight triterpene betulin which can easily be isolated. Sami Alakurtti, Faculty of Pharmacy, synthesized and screened two sets of betulin derivatives for his doctoral dissertation. Several derivatives proved effective against Semliki Forest virus and Chlamydia pneumoniae in vitro. Most of the derivatives also weren't toxic to the host cell lines.
The protein version of alternative splicing discovered
Dr Hideo Iwai's group has discovered that proteins can be spliced in an alternative way. This discovery might open a way to develop new inhibitors of any enzyme.
One step closer to a vaccine for a common respiratory disease
The three-dimensional structure of respiratory syncytial virus has been solved by an international team from Finland and Switzerland.
The Saimaa ringed seal genome to be sequenced
The first ever mammalian species to be sequenced in Finland is the Saimaa ringed seal. Living in the lake Saimaa only, it has been isolated from the other seal species since the the ice receded from the northern areas about 900 seal generations ago.
The Maikki Friberg Equality Prize to Sarah Butcher
“The modern university should offer everyone equally the best possible opportunity to succeed,” says Sarah Butcher, who on 5 June 2013 received the University of Helsinki Maikki Friberg award for work promoting equality.
The long arm of virus evolution
The viruses that cause human disease are connected to ones found in some of the most extreme environments on Earth.
Easy prevention of brain damage induced by neonatal asphyxia?
The brain of a newborn may be irreparably damaged if the baby suffers from both oxygen deficiency and excessive carbon dioxide levels at birth. A Finnish study based on a rodent model indicates that changes to current resuscitation practices could markedly reduce brain defects.
Aivoverkko (Brain Net) project promotes communication between scientists and other professionals
The interaction between science and society promotes innovative thinking both in academic research and social systems and practices such as education and healthcare.
Basic research and applications: all in one
Professor Yrjö "Ykä" Helariutta has been a plant person right from the start of his scientific career. His focus, however, has shifted from the flavonoid biosynthesis in gerbera to wood development. Arabidopsis thaliana roots have already revealed important details in cell signalling.
New associate professor Vincenzo Cerullo: Personalized drugs are on the way
Vincenzo Cerullo started in the beginning of September as a tenure track associate professor in the Faculty of Pharmacy. He focuses on personalized drugs – drugs that work only for a specific tumor in a specific patient.
Pekka Lappalainen started as the Professor of quantitative cell biology in the Institute of Biotechnology
Pekka Lappalainen has been a familiar face at BI since 1998. Now he starts as the Professor of quantitative cell biology.
The role of the actin in the nucleus: getting solved
Dr Maria Vartiainen (Institute of Biotechnology) has been awarded with a 1,5 million euro ERC starting grant for her nuclear actin research.
How to get there
Faculties
- Faculty of Agriculture and Forestry
- Faculty of Biological and Environmental Sciences
- Faculty of Pharmacy
- Faculty of Veterinary Medicine
Independent institutes
Viikki Links
- Links to Viikki on the Internet
- Events in Viikki Campus (University of Helsinki main pages)
- Viikki Biosciences Event Calendar
- Occupational Health Care for the University employees (Mehiläinen Viikki)
- Viikki Campus presentation (.pptx)