The Research Council of Finland has selected 11 new Centres of Excellence for an eight-year term running from 2026 to 2033. The programme aims to strengthen Finnish research by raising its scientific level, supporting renewal and enhancing societal impact.
Among the newly selected centres is Immune–Endothelial Interfaces (IMMENS), which will focus on advancing understanding of immune regulation at the vascular interface. Immens is composed of four research groups: Taija Mäkinen's and Kari Vaahtomeri's research groups are located at the University of Helsinki and Cecilia Sahlgrens and Guillaume Jaqcuemet's at the Åbo Akademi.
During the eight-year funding period, IMMENS researchers will investigate the molecular mechanisms underlying lymphatic endothelial immunomodulation. The centre will also evaluate the relevance of these mechanisms in disease settings, using a range of pre-clinical models.
The selection recognized IMMENS as a leading biomedical research initiative with the potential to contribute significantly to both fundamental science and future therapeutic strategies.