Below are the introductions of the research groups that operate partly or wholly at the research program in alphabetical order.
A
Ala-Laurila Lab
Our Goal is to utilize the neural circuits of the retina to reveal fundamental principles of neural computations at quantal resolution.
Auditory Physiology
Group leader: Ulla Pirvola
Our current research examines the molecular mechanisms that maintain the survival and function of hair cells and neurons of the cochlea.
Autophagy
Eskelinen group studies membrane dynamics during autophagosome biogenesis in mammalian cells.
B
Bioinformatics research groups at University of Helsinki are presented in the pages.
C
Group leader: Helena Kilpinen
The Kilpinen research group works on human genomics and studies the cellular basis of brain-related disorders in stem cell models.
Group leader: Juha Saarikangas
The Saarikangas lab is interested in the regulation of proteostasis and protein phase transitions during cellular adaptation, differentiation and aging.
D
The Partanen group studies the diversity and early differentiation of the neurons in the brainstem, a center for regulation of mood, motivation and movement.
Our research efforts focus on functional characterization of genetic and epigenetic changes associated with the risk of colorectal cancer.
E
Endocytic Cytoskeleton Biology
Group leader: Leonardo Almeida-Souza (Institute of Biotechnology, HiLife)
The Almeida-Souza lab aims to understand the molecular logic behind the dynamics of the actin cytoskeleton at endocytic sites and how disturbances in this process affect physiology and disease progression. To tackle this question, we use a multidisciplinary approach combining state-of-the-art techniques in cell biology, biochemistry and structural biology.
Extracellular Vesicles
Group leader: Pia Siljander
The EV group studies extracellular vesicles (EVs), submicron membrane vesicles released by most cells (mammalians to prokaryotes), that are present in all body fluids, but also e.g., in oceans.
F
Functional Lipidomics Group
Group leader: Reijo Käkelä
The group has biomedical and ecophysiological projects. The roles of lipids and fatty acids are studied in human vital functions and pathophysiology as well as in environmental adaptation and feeding ecology of animals. As the most important methods, we use mass spectrometry and chromatography.
G
Glycoscience Group
Group leader: Jukka Finne
The Glycoscience group headed by professor Jukka Finne is engaged with the biology of carbohydrates, the most abundant biological molecules of nature, involved in the biology of all living organisms. Glycans have received little attention due to lack of efficient tools to probe their complex structures and properties.
I
Integrins in Immunity
The Fagerholm group studies leukocyte integrins, adhesion receptors that mediate leukocyte trafficking, in health and disease.
L
Laboratory of Neurobiology
Group leader: Kai Kaila
Research at the Laboratory of Neurobiology focuses on the role of ion-regulatory proteins in the control of neuronal excitability at the molecular, single-cell, network and in vivo levels.
Laboratory of Visual Neurophysiology and Psychophysics
Group leader: Kristian Donner
The vision group investigates key factors that influence the performance of animal and human visual systems. The research ranges from basic mechanisms of photoreception and retinal processing studied at the cellular and molecular levels to perception in intact animals and humans as well as low vision in humans.
The Gahmberg group studies leukocyte adhesion and signalling, binding of cytoskeletal proteins to integrins and their regulation by specific phosphorylations of the alfa and beta-chains.The neuronal ICAM-5 ligand is cleaved by NMDA treatment and the released fragment affects leukocyte functions.
M
Molecular Mechanisms of Bacteria in Infectious Diseases and Health
Group leader: Benita Westerlund-Vikström
The research group studies at the molecular level the secretion, biogenesis and function of bacterial surface proteins and protein appendages involved in infectious processes.
Molecular Principles of Viruses
Group leader: Hanna Oksanen
The research focuses on archaeal and bacterial viruses to unravel molecular details of their functions and structures.
Macromolecular Structure and Function
Group leader: Sarah Butcher
Our work aims to understand the structure, assembly and function of biological macromolecule complexes. We embed unstained, unfixed specimens in vitreous ice to preserve their structures.
Molecular Virology
Group leader: Dennis Bamford
The four research groups of the Molecular Virology Unit mainly investigate viruses containing protein, nucleic acid and lipid constituents that infect microbial hosts. These viruses are used as model organisms in understanding the structure, assembly and function of biological macromolecular complexes.
N
Nutrient Sensing
Group leader: Ville Hietakangas
We study how animal body responds to changes in nutrition. Our goal is to understand how specific macronutrients in the diet, such as sugars and amino acids, affect energy metabolism, growth and stem cell function. Uncovering the regulation of these physiological processes will bring new insight into human diseases associated with nutrition and metabolism.
R
Receptor Biochemistry
Group leader: Kari Keinänen
Research in my laboratory focuses on AMPA receptors, tetrameric ion channels that mediate glutamate signaling in the brain and other tissues.
Group leader: Peter Sarin
Nurturing your passion for tRNA biology in the University of Helsinki
S
Stem Cells and Aging
Group leader: Pekka Katajisto (Institute of Biotechnology, HiLife)
The laboratory of Pekka Katajisto studies stem cell intrinsic and extrinsic mechanisms that regulate tissue renewal capacity and how decline of regeneration results in aging.
Structural Biology of Macromolecules and Interactions
Group leader: Juha Huiskonen
Research in the Laboratory of Structural Biology headed by Juha Huiskonen is aimed at understanding the structure and function of biological macromolecules and their complexes, such as molecular machines and viruses. We strive to decipher basic principles in their assembly and evolution. Detailed mechanistic understanding of structures involved in disease is informing rational design of therapies.
Group leader: Sari Lauri
The group focuses on studying the molecular mechanisms guiding activity-dependent development of glutamatergic circuitry in the limbic system and in particular, the roles of ionotropic glutamate receptors in this process.
V
Viral Cell Biology
Group leader: Giuseppe Balistreri
We study the intracellular transport and function of macromolecular complexes such as cellular membranes and organelles, ribonucleoprotein complexes and viruses. The Balistreri Lab combines the power of genetic screening technologies and advanced imaging techniques with an arsenal of cell biology and biochemical approaches.