People
Our laboratory offers a dynamic research environment and we are constantly looking for motivated scientists and students to join our team. For available open positions contact Päivi M. Ojala.
Päivi M. Ojala
Principal Investigator
To discover novel mechanisms of cancer development and progression, our group is studying the virus-host interactions involved in pathogenesis of Kaposi Sarcoma herpesvirus (KSHV), an oncogenic gamma-2 herpesvirus. KSHV can infect both blood and lymphatic endothelial cells (BECs and LECs, respectively), inducing a virus-specific de-differentiation program which contributes to KS tumorigenesis. Furthermore, the outcome of the infection is different in the two cell types. While in BECs KSHV establishes a latent infection with very few viral proteins expressed, in LECs, the virus displays a dysregulated/lytic expression program with spontaneous production of infectious virus. To identify new therapeutic approaches for the KSHV-associated cancers the research in the group also focuses to identify novel signaling pathways and cellular proteins critical for KSHV viral replication by functional genomics and automated high-content imaging approaches.
We are also interested in understanding the molecular circuits contributing to cancer cell metastasis, with a special focus on cancers disseminating through the lymphatic system. To this end we are investigating the interactions of cancer cells with the LECs using several co-culture cell models to mimic the cancer cell-LEC interactions in vivo.
Nadezhda Zinovkina
Laboratory Manager and research assistant
I participate in the scientific projects by providing help in various laboratory techniques for cell biology (cell culture, lentivirus, retrovirus and KSHV preparation), molecular biology (cloning, PCR, western blotting, immunostaining and fluorescent microscopy), microbiology, pathology (mouse tissue processing, paraffin embedding and sectioning).
Silvia Gramolelli
Postdoctoral Researcher
My long-term goal is to uncover the factors that render the virus expression program so diverse in BECs and LECs. Currently, I am studying the role of PROX1, the master regulator of lymphatic cell fate, in KSHV life cycle as well as in KS tumorigenesis.
Endrit Elbasani
Postdoctoral Researcher
My research focuses on understanding how KSHV lytic proteins interfere with the host DNA replication to favor virus replication and spread. Furthermore, I am investigating whether the virus has evolved strategies to exploit DNA damage response for its own replication. Identification of cellular proteins crucial for productive lytic replication will help us to conduct focused screens to identify inhibitors targeting these proteins and to limit virus production and dissemination.
In addition, I am also using the recent CRISPR-interference technologies to control the expression of the KSHV genes. The goal of this project will be to utilize these tools in the gain-of-function and loss-of-function screens.
Sanni Alve
PhD Student
I am currently studying interactions between melanoma cells and lymphatic endothelial cells (LECs). Melanoma primarily disseminates and metastasizes to distant organs through the lymphatic vessels. Our studies have revealed that crosstalk between melanoma cells and LECs increases adhesion, invasion and tumorigenic potential of melanoma cells. My goal is to reveal the molecular mechanisms behind these changes, as provide cues for new therapeutic targets.
Krista Tuohinto
PhD Student
My project focuses on studying the effects of Prox1, the master regulator of lymphatic cell fate, in KSHV-infected cells. The goal of the research is to elucidate the regulatory role of Prox1 and interacting partners in KSHV reactivation and KSHV-induced oncogenesis and in the latent and lytic viral life cycle.
Francesca Falasco
Erasmus Trainee
Utilizing CRISPR-i, my aim is to generate suitable cellular models where I can activate or repress cellular or KSHV viral genes during latency or the lytic phase.
Annika Järviluoma
Susanna Räsänen
Evita Elfving
Grzegorz Sarek
Christel Pussinen
Sonja Koopal
Johanna Furuhjelm
Sari Tynkkynen
Anne Aarnio
Fang Cheng
Anne Lehtonen
Simonas Laurinavicius
Liisa Lappalainen
Jaakko Lehtimäki
Li Ma
Nina Perälä
Jenni Vaaksio
Elisa Kaivanto
Markus Vähä-Koskela
Jenny Bärlund
Veronika Rezov
Otso Niiranen
Johanna Viiliäinen
Adewale Taiwo
Pirita Pekkonen
Giuseppe Balistreri
Sudar Krishnam Rajan Shanthi
Tomasz Benedyk