Personnel
Hend Abdelkader
C/O Centre For Functional Material , ÅA& Doctoral Candidate
hend.abdelkader [at] abo.fiBackground
Master Degree in Clinical Dentistry& Master of Science in Biomedical Imaging (written as MClinDent-M.Sc Biomedical imaging)Research interests
- Development of Functional materials at biological interfaces for wound healing
- 3D cell models in different ECM matrix systems
- Angiogenesis and lymphangiogenesis
- Bioimaging and image analysis
Activities in the core
Consultation, operations, training & maintenance: Flow Cytometry and Mass Cytometry
Background
- MSc in Biochemistry (2017-, Åbo Akademi University)
- BSc in Cell and Molecular Biosciences (2017, Åbo Akademi University)
- Research Assistant in the Cellular Protein Chemistry group (2017-2018, Utrecht University, The Netherlands)
- Research Assistant in the Laboratory of Immunogenetics and Autoimmune Diseases (2017, University of Turku)
- Research Assistant in the Laboratory of Lipid and Membrane Biochemistry (2016, Åbo Akademi University)
Project title
Signalling extent regulation of receptor tyrosine kinases in HER2-driven breast cancerResearch interests
Intracellular itinerary of membrane receptors, sorting proteins, cancerEducation
PhD student (University of Limoges, France)
My LinkedIn Account
Background
- Laboratory Manager, Turku Centre for Biotechnology, since 2012
- University Research Fellow, Animal Bioscience, University of Eastern Finland, 2010-2011
- Certificated Degree in Pedagogy, Jyväskylä University of Applied Science, Finland, 2010
- Research Associate, Animal Biotechnology, University of Eastern Finland, 2000-2010
- Post Doctoral Fellow, Prostate cancer research, University of Kuopio, Finland, 2004-2007
- Post Doctoral Fellow, Prostate cancer research, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN, USA, 2001-2003
- PhD, Animal Biotechnology, University of Kuopio, Finland, 2001
My main interest in the lab is to understand how various post-translational modifications (PTMs) regulate the activity of HSFs, mainly HSF1. I am also studying how, compounds called chaperone co-inducers are able to enhance gene expression during heat shock response (HSR), but are not able to activate HSF1 alone. I am also implementing CRISPR/Cas9 system into Sistonen laboratory, currently as a knock-in and knock-out tool.Personally, I love sci-fi and fantasy themes and heavy focus on personal finance and financial investments.
Microscopy consultation, operations, training and maintenance
Background:
- B.S. Bioinformatics-COMSATS Institute of Information Technology, Pakistan
- M.S. Biomedical Imaging-Åbo Akademi University, Finland
Project:
Characterization of Oncogenic and metastatic properties of SHARPIN
Eleanor Coffey
Vice-Director, Group Leader, Research Director
+358 (0)40 5658654
eleanor.coffey [at] utu.fi
Project title
Regulation of integrin phosphorylationResearch interests
FRET biosensors and 3D models
Michael Courtney
Group Leader, Postdoctoral Researcher
+358 (0)29 450 3739
michael.courtney [at] utu.fiActivities in the cell imaging core
CIC consultant on high content imaging
Background
- Ph.D. in Medicine (Molecular Virology) in 2014 at Institute for Molecular Medicine Finland (FIMM), University of Helsinki, Finland.
- M.Sc. in Biology (Molecular Biology) in 2007, at Lobachevsky State University of Nizhny Novgorod, Russia.
- Training at the Molecular Biology Education centre (2005 –2007), Institute of Protein Research, Pushchino, Russia.
Project
PP2A in glioblastoma therapy resistance: novel opportunities for targeted therapeutics
Prasannakumar Deshpande
Postdoctoral Researcher
+358 (0)29 450 3784 / Coffey's Group
prasannakumar.deshpande [at] bioscience.fiProject
I am finding out cellular changes that lead to cell death in Parkinson’s disease.
Solveig Eriksson
John Eriksson
Director, Group Leader, Professor
+358 (0)2 215 3313, +358 (0)29 450 2042
john.eriksson [at] btk.fi
Veronica Fagerholm
Postdoctoral Researcher and Lab Coordinator
+358 (0)29 450 3783 / Coffey's Group
veronica.fagerholm [at] utu.fiProject
I am defining driver genes that are involved in mood disorders.
Elnaz Fazeli
Doctoral Candidate
Grebnev Gleb
Node Manager, Finnish Advanced Light Microscopy (ALM) Euro-BioImaging
gleb.grebnev [at] utu.fi
Background
- Postdoctoral researcher at “Molecular mechanisms of diseases” –group 2015-
- Postdoctoral researcher at Lund University 2011-2014
- Ph.D., University of Oulu, Finland, Biochemistry, 2011
- M. Sc., University of Oulu, Finland, Biochemistry, 2005
Projects
- Molecular mechanisms of valvular diseases
- Molecular bases for cancer development
- Molecular level force propagation in cells
Research interests
Studying the structure and function of proteins using X-ray crystallography and SAXS for understanding the molecular mechanisms behind human disorders and disease
Research interests
Integrin activity, cell adhesion, cancer, cell migrationGuanlan Hang
Doctoral Candidate
Zhang's Group
Eva Henriksson
University Teacher, Senior Scientist
office: +358 2 215 4079 (Biocity 2nd floor)
eva.henriksson [at] abo.fiI am investigating how HSFs regulate a developmental process, i.e. spermatogenesis, and how they sustain malignant growth in cancer and promote cancer cell invasion. My special focus is in identifying interaction partners of HSF1 and HSF2 and in resolving the functional consequences of these interactions in different cellular compartments.
I am interested in understanding how HSF1 and HSF2 mediate cell protection upon different proteotoxic conditions. To study this, I am using genome-wide methods to discover what are the roles of HSF1 and HSF2 in transcriptional responses during heat stress and oxidative stress. In addition, I am interested in knowing how does repeated exposure to stress affect cell memory and capacity of cells to respond to subsequent stress.Outside the lab, my biggest passion is street workout/calisthenics, but I enjoy also reading some good sci-fi literature among other things.
Patrik Hollos
Postdoctoral Researcher
+358 (0)29 450 3783 / Coffey's Lab
patrik.hollos [at] bioscience.fiProject
I explore how kinase signalling exerts spatiotemporal control of synapse plasticity in disease models using optogenetics.
Background
- 2016 - Bachelor's degree, Cell biology, Åbo Akademi University, Finland
- 2018 - Master's degree, Cell biology, Åbo Akademi University, Finland
Research interests
- Imaging
- Disease research
- Cell migration
- Mechanosensing
Project in the Kinase group
I am identifying the molecular mechanisms of schizophrenia from omics studies.
Henrik Honkanen
hemiho [at] utu.fiRufus Hotakainen
Undergraduate Student
office: +358 2 215 4079 (Biocity 2nd floor)
rufus.hotakainen [at] abo.fi
Claire Hyder
Postdoctoral Researcher
office: +358 2 215 4079 (Biocity 2nd floor)
claire.hyder [at] abo.fi
My Orcid Profile
Project title
Spatio-temporal coordination of integrin-mediated adhesion and endocytosis.Research interests
Integrin trafficking, live-cell imaging
Project title
Mechanotransduction mechanisms in cancerResearch interests
Cancer, actin cytoskeleton, cell migration, ECM, mechanotransductionKimmo Isoniemi
Doctoral Candidate
office: +358 2 215 4079 (Biocity 2nd floor)
kimmo.isoniemi [at] abo.fi
Guillaume Jacquemet
Postdoctoral Researcher
+358 (0)29 450 3791
guillaume.jacquemet [at] bioscience.fiProject title
Targeting filopodia to block cancer cell invasionResearch interests
Cell invasion, actin cytoskeleton, myosin-X, integrins
Aila Jasmavaara
aillu [at] utu.fi
Research Interests
- Cell cycle regulation
- Cell death signalling
- Quantitative Modelling
Education
I trained as a Chemical Engineer and received a master's degree in Process Systems Engineering from Imperial College London, UK. I first came across the word 'apoptosis' while working on my masters thesis. Thereafter, because the word stuck with me, I decided to get a more in-depth knowledge about the pathways that drive apoptosis. In 2012, I enrolled as a PhD student at the Eriksson Lab to work on the regulation of death receptor-mediated apoptosis. My interest has since evolved to include cell cycle regulation.
I am mainly interested in HSFs and their importance in protein aggregation induced cell stress. Currently I am working with HSF2 and proteasome inhibition and I am mainly focusing on the HSF2-dependent transcriptional program that sensitises cells to proteasome inhibiting drugs. The overall keywords for my scientific interests could be: HSFs, protein aggregation, neurodegeneration, PTMs, SUMO, translation, cell adhesion, mechanical stress and many others!I love knitting and crocheting, detective stories, sushi, gardening and of course my two wonderful kids Ivalo and Pietari.
Henok Karvonen
Undergraduate Student
office: +358 2 215 4079 (Biocity 2nd floor)
henok.karvonen [at] abo.fi
Background
M.Sc. University of Jyväskylä, Department of Biological and Environmental Sciences, 2018.My LinkedIn profileProject
Molecular bases for cancer development
Sofia Khan
Postdoctoral Researcher, Adjunct Professor in Bioinformatics
+358 (0)29 450 3801
sofia.khan [at] utu.fi
Riku Klén
Postdoctoral Researcher, Adjunct Professor in Mathematics
Bioinformatics
+358 (0)29 450 3792
riku.klen [at] utu.fi
Activities in the core
Maintenance and training: microscopes located on the 2nd floor
Current Role
Day-to-day laboratory organisation and assisting in several research projectsResearch skills
Molecular biology, immunoprecipitation, PLA, IHC & IF and FACS analysis
Harri Lähdesmäki
harri-lahdesmaki [at] utu.fi ; harri-lahdesmaki [at] hut.fi
Project title
LIMA1 in Rab21-mediated integrin traffickingResearch interests
Rab21, integrins, endosomes, LIMA1, cancer
Fatemehsadat Seyednasrollah (on leave)
Doctoral Candidate
Bioinformatics
+358 (0)29 450 3803
fseyedna [at] btk.fiJukka Lehtonen
jukka.lehtonen [at] utu.fi
Project title
Integrin regulation and trafficking in mechanosensingResearch interests
ECM, integrin, mechanotransduction, integrin trafficking
Project title
Role of Shank family proteins in integrin activationResearch interests
Shank, integrin activation, sharpin, cell metabolism, tumour cell metastasis
Riikka Lund
Senior Research Fellow, Adjunct Professor (Title of Docent)
+358 (0)29 450 3793
riikka.lund [at] btk.fi
Paula Luoma
HR Specialist / Human Resources
HR Specialist / Human Resources +358 (0)29 450 2676
paula.luoma [at] utu.fi
I am interested in learning about new aspects of HSF2 by studying its localization in cells. I also work with Marek to produce CRISPR-Cas9 cell lines for the lab. I am also in charge of building and maintaining our website.In my free time I study Japanese and enjoy both card and video games.
Background
- Master of Science (M.Sc.), University of Turku, Turku, Finland
- Major in Biochemistry, minors in Chemistry and Biology
Project
Novel diagnostic markers in acute myeloid leukemia
Päivi Mäkimattila
Personnel Secretary / Human Resources
+358 (0)29 450 2174
paivi.makimattila [at] utu.fi
Francesca Marchisella
Doctoral Candidate
Coffey's Group
Background
- Master of Science (M.Sc.), University of Turku, Turku, Finland
- Major in Biomedicine, minors in chemistry and biochemistry
Project
Pharmacological activation of a tumor suppressor PP2A: a novel therapy for glioblastoma
Petra Miikkulainen
Postdoctoral Researcher
+358 (0)29 450 3732
petra.miikkulainen [at] bioscience.fi , petemi [at] utu.fiEducation
- MSc in Molecular systems biology
- BTech in Biotechnology
Ponnuswamy Mohanasundaram
Doctoral Candidate
office: +358 2 215 4079 (Biocity 2nd floor)
pmohanas [at] abo.fi ; ponmoh [at] utu.fiResearch Interests
Vimentin knockout delayed wound healing process in mice. Vimentin involve in wound healing mechanism, by regulating cell proliferation, EMT signaling and collagen synthesis. Cell growth and proliferation are important process for wound healing and normal development. We found that vimentin regulate cell growth and proliferation through Akt/mTOR signaling pathway. My research work is to understand, how vimentin regulate cell growth and proliferation through Akt/mTOR signaling.Education
- PhD (2012– till date) Thesis title – Role of Vimentin in normal and disease conditions, Faculty of Science and Engineering, Cell Biology Unit, Åbo Akademi
- Masters (M.Sc) in Biomedical Science (2005 - 2010), Department of Biomedical Science, Bharathidasan University, India
- Thesis: Purification and characterization of alkaline serine protease from Bacillus pumilus TMS55
Imran Mohsin
Research Assistant
Majid Momeny
majid.momeny [at] utu.fi
Background
- M.S. Pharmaceutical Sciences - Northeastern University, Boston, USA
- Specialization in Drug Delivery and Pharmaceutics
- Associate Scientist - High Throughput Screening - Oncology, Horizon Discovery Inc., Boston, USA
Project
To understand the role of CIP2A in Basal-like breast cancer initiation and tumorigenesis
Project title
Novel regulators of integrin activity and cell attachmentResearch interests
Cell cycle, integrin activity, stem cell biology
Christina Oetken-Lindholm
Postdoctoral Researcher
+358 (0)29 450 3785
christina.oetken-lindholm [at] utu.fiBackground
- Postdoctoral researcher at Turku Center for Biotechnology since January 2012
- PhD in cell biology Åbo Akademi University 1995
- MSc in cell biology, Åbo Akademi University 1990
Project involvement
Development of K-ras targeted breast cancer drugsResearch interests
Drug development for cancer treatment, breast- and prostate cancer
Ilkka Paatero
Postdoctoral Fellow
+358 (0)29 450 3789
ilkka.paatero [at] bioscience.fi ; zebrafish [at] bioscience.fiProject title
In vivo imaging of cell migrationResearch interests
Confocal imaging, live in vivo imaging, zebrafish, angiogenesis, signalling, migration
Tassos Papageorgiou
Group Leader, Senior Scientist, Adjunct Professor
+358 (0)29 450 3752, 3760, 3776
anapap [at] utu.fi
Background
- Postdoctoral researcher at Turku Center for Biotechnology since July 2018
- PhD in Nanosciences, University of Barcelona, 2014
- MSc in Drug Development, University of Turku, 2007
Project involvement
The role of the Galectin-1/ Raf interface in promoting cancer cell stemnessResearch interests
Drug discovery and development, drug delivery, translational cancer research
Research interests
• Extracellular Vesicles • Wound healing • Biopharmaceutical manufacturingBackground
I received my Master’s degree in Genetic Engineering from the National Institute of Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (Tehran, Iran) in 2013. I worked in the biopharmaceutical industry for six years in up-stream bioprocess and R&D, and also as an internal auditor and monoclonal antibody API supervisor. I came to Finland in March 2017 as a Research Assistant to work on vesicular compartments in bone-resorbing osteoclasts, as a member of the EU-funded EUROCLAST project (Marie Curie ESR) at the University of Turku. I joined Erikson's Lab in June 2018 as a PhD student. My research focuses on novel fundamental insights on the role of fibrotic-derived extracellular vesicles in myofibroblasts heterogeneity and mechanism of fibrosis.
Jedidiah Patton
Undergraduate Student
Coffey's Group
Preethy Paul
Project Coordinator & Postdoctoral Researcher
+358 41 36 40 948
ppreethy [at] abo.fi ; prepau [at] utu.fiBackground
- Screening & development of natural compounds and small molecules for anti-cancer activity
- Studying the molecular mechanism of apoptosis induced by the compounds
Research interests
- Drug development research related to anti-cancer therapeutics
- Developing natural compounds/extracts & small molecules for treatment of HPV associated cancers and warts
- Studying the mechanism of cell death induced by the compounds in HPV associated cell lines by various biochemical and biophysical methods
Background
- Diploma in Chemistry- Chemistry Department of the Faculty of Science & Mathematics, University of Zagreb, Croatia
- Research chemist at the GlaxoSmithKline (GSK) Centre for Excellence in Macrolide Drug Discovery (CEMDD), Zagreb, Croatia
- PhD- European Molecular Biology Laboratory (EMBL), Heidelberg, Germany, and University of Dundee, Scotland
Project
Investigating structural mechanism how PP2A inhibitory protein CIP2A associates with regulatory PP2A-B56 subunit
Ulla Pentikäinen
Academy Research Fellow/University lecturer (Institute of Biomedicine, University of Turku)
+358 505012574
ulla.pentikainen [at] utu.fiNina Pettersson
Doctoral Candidate
M.L. Obstetrics and Gynecology (Department of Clinical Medicine), co-supervisor Dr. Eva Ekholm
Project title:
Regulation of stemness and invasion in normal mammary gland and breast cancerResearch interests:
Integrin, invasion, tumour microenvironment, ductal morphogenesis
Sandra Pihlström
sandra.i.pihlstrom [at] utu.fi
Background
- PhD in Molecular Medicine- University of Turku, Finland
- M.Sc. in Biochemistry and molecular biology - Hunan Normal University, China
- B.Sc. in Biotechnology - Henan Agricultural University, China
Project
To study the post-translational modifications in regulation of MYC activity.
Senthilkumar Rajendran
Senior Research Fellow
+358442362631
srajendr [at] abo.fi ; sekura [at] utu.fi ; biosen81 [at] gmail.comAreas of expertise
Drug discovery and development :- Synthesis of organic small molecules and inorganic metal complexes
- Natural products – Extraction and isolation of compounds
- Apoptosis cell signaling pathways
- Drug-DNA/protein interaction
- In Ovo chick chorioallantoic membrane (CAM) model
- Nanocarriers
Background
- Project Coordinator at Åbo Akademi Unviersity, Finland– January 2014 - present
- Postdoctoral Researcher at Swiss Federal Institute of Technology (EPFL), Switzerland – September 2009 - January 2011
- Senior Researcher Fellow at Bharathidasan University, India – April 2007 - August 2009
Pia Rantakari
Adjunct Professor, Group Leader
Rantakari Lab
+358 (0) 29 450 4377
pia.rantakari [at] utu.fi
Background
I am a biochemist and I did my undergraduate studies in Portugal at the University of Aveiro. I spent some time in Denmark during my bachelor degree, which made me realise I wanted to continue doing research and pursue a PhD if I had the chance. During my master studies, I had the opportunity to come to John’s lab to write my thesis and that was when I fell in love with vimentin and cell signalling. I decided to continue working on the same topic, so now I am doing my PhD on how vimentin regulates Akt/mTOR signalling using proteomics as the main technique, which has become one of my favourites.Research interests
- Proteomics
- Flow cytometry
- Vimentin in cell signalling and metabolism
Pia Roos-Mattjus
Academy Lecturer, Senior Scientist
office: +358 2 215 4079 (Biocity 3rd floor)
pia.roos-mattjus [at] abo.fiThere are always projects available for students, please contact me for further information if you want to do your Biochemistry III lab rotation (or equivalent) or if you would be interested in doing your pro gradu research work in the laboratory!To learn new things, teaching and spending time with family.
Activities in the core
Consultation, operations, training, maintenance: Microscopy
Mervi Salo
Project title
SHANK proteins in actin bindingResearch interests
actin cytoskeleton, cell migration, cancer, SHANK, SHARPIN
Activities in the core
Consultation, operations, maintenance: Microscopy and backup for Flow Cytometry and Mass Cytometry
Background
- MSc in Pharmaceutical Biotechnology from Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg, Germany
Project
Epigenetic regulation by PP2A and RAS synergy and its implication in cancer
Athresh Shigaval
athresh.r.shigaval [at] utu.fi
Background
- Doctoral student at Turku Center for Biotechnology since February 2016
- MSc in Biotechnology form Punjab Technical University and master thesis form School of Life Sciences, Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi, India, 2011
Project involvement
CIMO project- Understanding the mechanism of action of conglobatin A in blocking oncogenic K-ras signalingResearch interests
Drug development especially inhibiting oncogenic K-ras
Current role
Day-to-day laboratory organisation and assisting in several research projectsResearch skills
Cell culture, DNA & RNA purification, Western blotting, IF, recombinant protein production, qRT-PCR
Background
I have done my Biochemistry degree in University of Aveiro, Portugal. During that time, I adventured myself in University of Southern Denmark, where I worked in pseudoexon activation in disease. After this experience, I decided to look for another place for me to do my master thesis. I was kindly accepted in John Eriksson’s lab, where I worked on c-FLIP regulation of cell population size. When the opportunity of starting PhD arrived, I embraced a new project working with human papillomavirus E6 and E7 oncoproteins.Research interests
- Human papillomavirus E6 and E7 oncoproteins
- Cell death
- Ubiquitination
- Proteomics
My main research interest is the protein network in which HSF1 and HSF2 function. Currently, I am focused on interacting partners of HSF2 in the context of cancer invasion. Finally, I am also studying the role of HSF2 upon proteasome inhibition and protein aggregation.I participate in activities organized by the local Catholic Church. I enjoy swimming, hiking, and biking.
Johannes Smolander
Doctoral Candidate
Bioinformatics
+358 (0)29 450 3800
johannes.smolander [at] utu.fi
Christel Sourander
Doctoral Candidate
+358 (0)50 468 9683 / Coffey's Group
christel.c.sourander [at] utu.fi
Activities in the core
Consultation, operations, training, maintenance: Flow Cytometry and Mass Cytometry
Project title
Stem Cell adhesomeResearch interests
Stem cell biology, regulation of pluripotency, adhesion qualities of hPSCs
Project title
MASTL and cell adhesionResearch interests
Cancer, cell adhesion, actin cytoskeleton, cell cycle
Background
International Masters Degree in Protein Science and Biotechnology, University of Oulu, 2016Project
Molecular bases for cancer developmentResearch interests
The understanding the structure and function of protein and their interactions with other molecules within the cells, as well as to elucidate the pathogenic condition caused by such interaction in the cells and to uncover the therapeutic approaches against them.
Background
- Post-doctoral researcher, University of Helsinki
- Post-doctoral fellow, University of Turku
- Post-doctoral fellow Linköping University
- Ph.D. Chemistry, Moscow State University
- M.Sc. Chemistry, Moscow State University
Project
Predictive phosphoproteomic markers for triple negative breast cancer drug responses
Artemis Varidaki
Marie Curie Doctoral Candidate
+358 (0)29 450 3784 / Coffey's Group
artemis.varidaki [at] bioscience.fiProject
I am studying the effect of JNK in synaptic plasticity.
Background
Master of Science in Biomedical ImagingBachelor’s degree in biotechnologyResearch interests
- Development of Functional materials at biological interfaces for wound healing.
- Vimentin’s role in cell migration (fibroblast, macrophages and zebrafish)
- Bioimaging and image analysis
Postdoctoral fellow working in the laboratory of John Lis at Cornell University, New York.
Xijun Wang
Doctoral Candidate
Num Wistbacka
Undergraduate Student
office: +358 2 215 4079 (Biocity 2nd floor)
num.wistbacka [at] abo.fi
Background
- May.2018- now : John Eriksson Lab, Åbo Akademi University, Finland
- Aug. 2017- Apr. 2018 : Pharmaceutical Science Laboratory, Åbo Akademi University, Finland
- Sep. 2016- Jun. 2017 : Master Degree in Medicine (expected in 2019), Jiangsu University, China
- Sep. 2015- Jun. 2016 : The 81st Hospital of the People´s Liberation Army, Nanjing, China
- Jun. 2010- June 2015 : Bachelor Degree in Medicine, Jiangsu University, China
Research interests
- Cancer signaling
- Extracellular vesicles
Hongbo Zhang
Tenure Track Associate Professor, Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences Laboratory
+358 (0)22 154 141
hongbo.zhang [at] utu.fi