Profile

    Group Leader

    Klaus Elenius, MD, PhD
    Professor of Medical Biochemistry,
    Faculty of Medicine, University of Turku
    MediCity Research Laboratories and Turku Center for Biotechnology
    University of Turku and Åbo Akademi University
    Cancer Research Laboratories, FICAN West

    Email: klaus.elenius [at] utu.fi
    ORCiD

    Contact Information

    Turku Bioscience P.O. Box 123, BioCity
    Street addr. Tykistökatu 6 B, 4th floor
    FIN-20521 Turku, Finland
    Tel. +358 (0)29 450 4393

    Elenius Lab Tools


    Description of the Research

    Our goal is to understand how receptor tyrosine kinases (RTK) regulate the pathogenesis of human diseases, such as cancer. This information is needed for the development of molecularly targeted therapies. To recognize aberrations of RTK signaling in diseased tissue our laboratory also works on the molecular mechanism by which RTKs control normal processes, such as embryonic development. The work mainly focuses on the ErbB family of RTKs. Our laboratory has contributed to the field by e.g. by characterizing novel RTK signaling mechanisms, by identifying novel ErbB4 isoforms, and by determining the role of ErbBs and their ligands in angiogenesis.
    Current topics

    • Screens for predictive RTK mutations
    • Novel RTK signaling mechanisms
    • Development of preclinical models for development novel RTK inhibitors
    • Sequencing of RTK inhibitor drug administration with cytotoxic agents
    • In vitro “basket trials” with ErbB inhibitor drugs
    • RTK signaling in angiogenesis and cardiovascular diseases
    • RTKs in pediatric malignancies
    • Biological role of novel ErbB4 isoforms in diseases and development