Viral Zoonoses Research Unit

Hunting emerging pathogens

The multidisclipinary viral zoonoses research unit at University of Helsinki focuses on emerging and re-emerging infections – particularly viral zoonoses, including arboviruses. Our research spans various aspects including evolution, epidemiology, diagnostics, ecology, and host-virus interactions, covering scales from molecular to population levels. Affiliated with both the Faculties of Medicine and Veterinary Medicine, as well as HUSLAB (Helsinki University Hospital Laboratory), our team of Principal Investigators (PIs) includes experts such as Olli Vapalahti, Tarja Sironen, Jussi Hepojoki, Tomas Strandin, Eili Huhtamo, Giuseppe Balistreri, Essi Korhonen, and Ravi Kant. Funding for our research comes from esteemed sources like the Jane and Aatos Erkko Foundation, Helsinki University Central Hospital Funds, Research Council of Finland, European Union, and Jusélius Foundation. Our approach involves leveraging next-generation sequencing and metagenomics to advance virus diagnostics and discovery, conducting research on special pathogens within Biosafety level 3 laboratories.