Precision systems medicine

Our laboratory applies a systems precision medicine approach, blending functional drug sensitivity testing, multi-omics profiling, and spatial biology to discover new therapeutic avenues for cancer treatment. Our focus is on pinpointing and inhibiting crucial cell interactions within the tumor microenvironment. This effort is supported by increasing reliance on AI for data analysis, alongside continued technology- and biology-driven exploration. The integration of new analytical methods, biological research, data and AI offers a fertile ground for advancing cancer research and discovering innovative treatment strategies.      

We continuously develop new methods for standardized assays for functional drug testing and understanding subclonal heterogeneity with FIMM Technology Center Core Units. The drug response and prognosis of cancer patients may be strongly dependent on specific cancer subclones e.g cancer heterogeneity, as well as on the diversity and interactions of multiple cell types in cancer (microenvironment). Our aim is to develop and utilize the multiplexed high-content imaging of cancer tissues and patient -derived ex vivo cells in order to understand the cancer biology as well as identify drug responses at the single cell level in ex vivo cell cultures. In collaborative project with FIMM PI Peter Horvath, we have developed machine learning -based image analysis methods for high-content imaging of cancer cells and tissues, and computer-aided laser microdissection method. In 2017, we have also set up a new FIMM High Content Imaging and Analysis Core, for both academy and companies.

Researchers at the University of Helsinki are actively developing new diagnostics and drug therapies for COVID-19. Support us to find solutions for the global crisis.