Research

The University of Helsinki hosts many internationally prominent neuroscience research groups. This offers unique opportunities for the students in the Master's Programme in Neuroscience to pursue studies in state-of-the-art facilities and in an inspiring research-oriented atmosphere. They can also get involved in fascinating research projects.
Research focus areas

Current research focuses on the following areas: 

  • molecular and cellular neuroscience
  • developmental neuroscience and regeneration biology
  • sensory biology
  • cognitive and systems neuroscience
  • electrophysiology
  • basic research on diseases of the nervous system 

Closely related are prominent research groups in functional proteomics and lipidomics. The research strategies are strongly integrative so that questions are addressed at different levels of organisation, from molecules to behaviour, at different stages of development, and under both normal and pathophysiological conditions.

Research at the Faculty of Biological and Environmental Sciences

Faculty of Biological and Environmental Sciences at the Viikki Campus hosts internationally prominent neurobiology research teams which use a wide variety of methods, often combining electrophysiological and molecular biological techniques. 

The research strategies are based on an integrative approach by addressing questions at different levels of organization (from molecules to behaviour) and at different stages of development, under normal and pathophysiological states, etc. Affiliated lipidomics group investigates the role of lipids and fatty acids in the functions of cells, individuals and ecological communities of interacting species. Research is also done on developmental biology.

Research at the Faculty of Medicine

The spearheads of research of the Faculty of Medicine at the Meilahti Campus include clinical research, cancer, inflammation, genetic research, and research on the mind.

SLEEPWELL

A multidisciplinary, translational and future-oriented research network bringing together expertise from clinical medicine, psychology, genetics, neurobiology and neuropharmacology. Researchers from different stages of careers are assembled around the core scientific idea: the importance of sleep in resilience to stress and in recovery processes.

More information: SLEEPWELL Research Programme

Translational Stem Cell Biology and Metabolism (STEMM) 

The programme brings together eleven research groups and four associated clinical researchers interested in cellular metabolism as a driving force in tissue homeostasis, cellular differentiation and degenerative diseases. Many of the groups take advantage of the possibilities of stem cell and genome editing technologies to understand molecular disease mechanisms to develop innovative treatments. Close ties to pediatric and neurology clinics enable efficient use of our research findings for diagnosis, patient care and counseling.

More information: Stem Cells and Metabolism Research Programme

Minerva Foundation Institute for Medical Research  

A private institute in biomedicine that is located at Biomedicum Helsinki in close association with Helsinki University. The general theme of the research is the study of basic cellular and molecular mechanisms underlying important human diseases, including heart and cardiovascular diseases, diabetes and neurological disorders.

More information: Minerva Foundation Institute for Medical Research

Psychology unit of the Faculty of Medicine

At the Psychology unit of the Faculty of Medicine, research operations in the discipline of psychology are focused on developmental psychology, health psychology and cognitive brain research. In addition, discipline-specific research is conducted also in perceptual psychology, cognitive psychology, the psychology of values and clinical neuropsychology. 

Research in the field of logopedics is centred on the development, disorders and rehabilitation of speech, language, voice and communication. 

More information: Psychology and logopedics

Cognitive Brain Research Unit (CBRU) 

The CBRU studies human auditory and crossmodal cognition, as well as their impairments and plasticity. The main research areas are human language and music processes, their plasticity, and the development of auditory functions. They utilize modern brain research methods in our interdisciplinary work, which is carried out with an international and national collaboration network.

More information: Cognitive Brain Research Unit

Research at the Helsinki Institute of Life Science

Helsinki Institute of Life Science (HiLIFE) is a life science institute enhancing high-quality research, and integrating life science strengths across our campuses. HiLIFE forms an attractive international environment for researchers and facilitates national and international partnerships in areas of research, infrastructure and innovations.

The mission of the Neuroscience Center (NC) is to carry out excellent and multidisciplinary research on the development, normal functions and disorders of the nervous systems. Research and teaching in the NC focus on the following four areas: molecular and cellular neuroscience, developmental neuroscience, cognitive and systems neuroscience, and basic research of nervous system diseases. 

Research at the Faculty of Pharmacy

The objectives of the research done at the Faculty of Pharmacy are to identify new drug targets, create and develop new drugs, establish new drug administration methods, examine the pharmacokinetic and pharmacological properties of drugs, develop new technologies, explore social and economic issues involving drug therapy, and educate leading professionals in the field.

Research at the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine

The Faculty of Veterinary Medicine has a strong profile in animal health care and wellbeing as well as food safety. 

 

Research at the Aalto University

The University of Helsinki research groups and study programmes (MSc Programme in Neuroscience and Doctoral Programme Brain & Mind) collaborate with the Aalto University's Department of Neuroscience and Biomedical Engineering (NBE).

Re­search­ers/su­per­visors of the Doc­toral Pro­gramme Brain & Mind

You can check out the researchers and supervisors of the Doctoral Programme Brain & Mind at the University of Helsinki Research Portal.

Neuroscience News

Are you interested in the latest news about neuroscience from the University of Helsinki?

More about the programme