• About Turku Bioscience Blog Series

      Welcome to the Turku Bioscience Blog Series – a platform designed to promote and discuss timely topics in molecular biosciences, while presenting a diversity of viewpoints. Our contributors include both internal experts and invited guest writers.

      Editors of the blog series: Jukka Westermarck & John Eriksson

    • What is SynGAP syndrome?

      Co-applicants Michael Courtney and Lili Li of the Neuronal Signalling Lab at Turku Bioscience have been awarded a grant from the SynGAP Research Fund (SRF) and Leon and friends e.V. to study targetable defects of SynGAP1 protein variants. Both SRF US & EU are funding this effort.  

    • Services by Turku Bioscience, part 2: Proteomics reveals the secrets of proteins

      Proteomics is the study of proteomes, or the entire set of proteins produced by an organism. The Proteomics Facility at Turku Bioscience, led by Otto Kauko, offers researchers and companies world-class research equipment and up-to-date expertise on their utilisation. ​​​​​Dr. Otto Kauko joined Turku Bioscience as Head of Turku Proteomics Facility in 2021. Kauko, who did…

    • Structural biology in the era of artificial intelligence: Excitement and pitfalls

      The accurate prediction of the shape (structure) of a protein from just its amino acid sequence, the so-called ‘protein folding problem’, has been one of the ‘Holy Grails’ of science and a computational challenge for the last 50 years or so. Recent advances, however, in the field of artificial intelligence have led to a breakthrough…

    • Services by Turku Bioscience, part 1: Genomics is the study of genetic variation and genome regulation

      ​​Genome research is required in many contexts. The Finnish Functional Genomics Centre at Turku Bioscience, led by Senior Researcher Riikka Lund, offers services for both business and academic research. The world-class services provided by the Centre are also used by state research institutes and hospitals, for example. In recent years, the Functional Genomics Centre has…

    • The response of the structural biology community to the COVID-19 pandemic

      Until now, more than 27 million cases of COVID-19 have been registered worldwide resulting in more than 850 000 deaths. No effective treatment is presently available and there is an intense race to develop drugs as well as vaccines against the COVID-19 pandemic. More than 50 companies and 20 institutions are currently participating in the…

    • The Finnish science strategy needs an overhaul

      In this Blog, a strong case is being made for improving Finnish science policies and to initiate communations between leading reseachers and ministry representatives Globally, drug development and health technologies are among the most rapidly growing business fields. Also in Finland, the two biggest pharma companies, Bayer and Orion have been among the biggest tax…

    • Inspirational lectures regarding research infrastructures

      Lectures on research infrastructures and core facility career development Last year Prof. Philip Hockberger, Associate Vice-President for Research (Northwestern Univ., Chicago), visited Turku Bioscience and gave two lectures on how to build sustainable research infrastructures and on the career paths and career possibilities of core facility personnel. As not everybody could attend these lectures and…

    • About Turku Bioscience Blog Series

      Welcome to the Turku Bioscience Blog Series – a platform designed to promote and discuss timely topics in molecular biosciences, while presenting a diversity of viewpoints. Our contributors include both internal experts and invited guest writers. Editors of the blog series: Jukka Westermarck & John Eriksson

    • Proximity rules

      The writer is Research Director and Professor of Cancer Biology Jukka Westermarck Because of Corona, virtual meetings have become an everyday routine for most of us, which is a great thing. I Personally, I have spent late evenings in pajamas on our living room couch listening and participating in live discussions with some of the…

    • Is the Biology of Homo Sapiens not Interesting?

      The writer is Director of Turku Bioscience John Eriksson. The ongoing pandemic has given reason to consider the public awareness of bioscience and its general importance. In this respect, it was interesting to check out the mass media and science journals at the turn of the year, as the new decennium, carrying the somewhat prophetic…