It gradually gained success and credibility in scientific community culminating with the professorship granted to Dr. Holopainen in 2015. The lab has published more than 60 publications and generated 6 completed doctoral theses, and another 6 PhD thesis projects are currently in progress. In 2016, when Prof. Holopainen passed away prematurely, Jukka Moilanen (Head of the Ophthalmology Department, Helsinki University Hospital) stepped in as the next leader of the Helsinki Eye Lab with the aim to continue its legacy in translational ophthalmological research. For a list of current Helsinki Eye Lab members and their contact information, see People.
As to its scientific profile, the Helsinki Eye Lab uses a multidisciplinary approach combining basic science (biophysics, chemistry, and cell biology) with clinical ophthalmology to address issues such as dry eye syndrome, corneal wounds and infections, and toxicity of topical ophthalmological drugs. The team has a strong background in lipid research, with years of experience particularly in the biophysics of lipid membranes, droplets, and monolayers. It uses both experiments and atomistic/molecular simulations to clarify major research questions in this context, the main research interests including, e.g., the structure and function of the tear film lipid layer and corneal epithelial cell response. For a more detailed description of our research topics, see Research or consult our list of recent Publications.