Research Groups
Cancer Research Groups
Breast, Prostate and Colorectal, Prognostic Cancer Health Related Quality of Life Group
Cancer Regulation and Immunology
Research Groups partly focused on cancer
Seppo Parkkila
Anatomy
The research focuses on carbonic anhydrase (CA) enzymes expressed in many cancer cells. CA IX and CA XII isoenzymes in particular are expressed in many malignant tumors and have prognostic value and possibly also therapeutic significance as target molecules for new drugs.
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Oommen P. Oommen
Bioengineering and Nanomedicine Group
Our research focuses on extracellular matrix (ECM) polymers to design advanced biomaterials for biomedical applications. We aim to develop next-generation biomaterials that can improve patient outcomes and advance the field of biomedical engineering.
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Pirkko-Liisa Kellokumpu-Lehtinen (emerita)
Breast, Prostate and Colorectal cancer -Prognostic factors and Cancer Health Related Quality of Life Group
Our research areas are prostate cancer, breast cancer and colorectal cancer, clinical interventions and the HRQoL.
Kirsi Rautajoki
Cancer Regulation and Immunology
Our research group studies how altered cell regulation is driving malignancy and immunosuppression in the tumor microenvironment to develop better ways to diagnose and treat these tumors. Our main focus is on brain tumors, especially diffuse gliomas and atypical teratoid/rhabdoid tumors (AT/RTs), but we also work with other cancer types. We mainly utilize different genomics, epigenomics, and transcriptomics methods as well as the spatial analysis of patient tumor tissues in our research.
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Teemu Ihalainen/ Elina Mäntylä
Cellular Biophysics group
We study the nuclear mechanoadaptation in breast cancer. The project investigates how mechanical forces are translated into changes in nuclear functions and cell fate, and seeks to decipher the importance of these processes for breast cancer progression and malignancy.
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Matti Nykter
Computational Biology
Computational Biology group develops algorithms and computational models to address biomedical research problems. We are part of Centre of Excellence in Tumour Genetics Research (2018–2025) coordinated by University of Helsinki. The groups aim is to uncover the molecular basis of human cancers and to generate new avenues for treatment and diagnostics. To reach this goal we integrate both experimental and computational expertise within our research group.
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Jussi Nikkola
ctDNA in Urology
The group studies the potential use of urine ctDNA in urological cancers, with a possibly expansion to gynecological cancers. The goal is to enhance patient quality of life, reduce healthcare costs, and address increased workloads in urology centers.
Mark van Gils
Decision Support for Health (DSH)
We develop data-driven decision support software tools for use in different healthcare settings. We develop solutions for various disease settings, cancer is one of them.
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Anssi Auvinen
Epidemiological research on prostate cancer
Our topics include cancer incidence trends, cancer etiology, prognostic studies, and cancer screening.
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Minna-Liisa Änkö
Functional RNAomics
The Functional RNAomics laboratory studies gene regulation via RNA processing. By determining how RNA regulation is orchestrated in different cell types, we aim to crack the cellular RNA code and gain critical insights into how aberrations in the RNA machinery result in genetic disorders and cancer.
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Alfonso Urbanucci
Genomic Regulation for Precision Cancer Medicine Lab
The research group focuses on prostate cancer and is part of the Prostate Cancer Research Centre (PCRC). By employing single-cell technologies and retrieving tissue cell composition from prostate cancer patient samples the aim of the research group is to investigate prognostic and predictive molecular stratifiers associated with aggressive vs non-lethal prostate tumor behavior. The research group has also interests in better understanding the role of the immune microenvironment in tumor initiation and therapy resistance, and experimenting new approaches to enhance, in particular, the effects of radiation-based thrapies.
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Annika Auranen
Gynecological cancer group
The gynecological oncological group studies gynecological cancers (uterine, ovarian, cervical and vulvar cancer) at the Department of Obstetrics and gynecology. The group focuses mainly on various clinical questions on gynecological cancers, but also translational and epidemiological research is done. The unit also participates actively in international and national clinical trials.
Olli Lohi
HemoRes research group
HemoRes research group investigates the pathogenesis of acute childhood leukemia and aims to develop targeted therapies based on disease biology
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Matti Lehtinen (emeritus)
HPV Intervention Studies
The study objectives are safety of human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination, long-term immunogenicity and effucacy of HPV vaccination, impact of HPV vaccination strategies, screening of HPV vaccinated women.
Karoliina Louvanto
Infection and cancer
Our main focus is to provide in-depth understanding on the molecular epidemiology that involves the human Papillomavirus (HPV) – infection as well as in the disease progression to cervical and other HPV related cancers.
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Tapio Visakorpi
Molecular biology of prostate cancer
The aim of the group is to interrogate genetic and epigenetic changes driving the development and progression of prostate cancer. Currently, the main empases are on AR signaling and long non-coding RNA (lncRNA) molecules. The group utilizes especially clinical samples, but also cell line models. These models are also edited for specific research purposes.
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https://research.tuni.fi/molecular-biology-of-prostate-cancer/
Olli Silvennoinen
Molecular Immunology
JAK kinases regulate hematopiesis and immune responses and their aberrant activation leads to malignancis and immunologcal diseases. Our reserach focuses on JAKs at molecular and atomic level and we aim to utilize our unique expertise in development of more specific treatments.
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Meenakshisundaram Kandhavelu
Molecular Signaling group
The group is interested in discovery and exploring cancer drug targets through molecular signal processing. Our overall goals are to identify and characterize pharmacologically new agonists and antagonists for the receptor and explore their potential for treating human cancer conditions. To reach this goal, we integrate both experimental and computational expertise.
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Hanna Ojala, Eeva Harju
Multidisciplinary Psychosocial Cancer Research Group (MOPSY)
The group takes a multidisciplinary and multimethod approach as it studies the impact of cancer on people’s lives; the ways in which patients attempt to cope with treatment side-effects; and how they manage the uncertainties caused by the illness. The group consists of researchers from different disciplines, including public health, medicine, gender studies, social work, health sociology, nursing sciences, health policy and social gerontology.
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Elina Haavisto
Palliative care group (PalCare)
The research focuses on 1) the involvement of family members in the palliative care of patients, including developing an instrument and evaluating family members’ involvement (psychosocial support and participation in patient care), 2) the required competence of the healthcare personnel caring for cancer patients and its assessment and the professional quality of life in palliative nursing. In addition, we are developing an instrument to assess the psychosocial support need of cancer patients and their fulfillment in the hospital settings. The psychometric properties of the instrument are also evaluated.
Juho Lehto
Palliative Care Reseach Group
The Palliative Care Research Group aims to relieve the suffering, improve the quality of life (QoL) and develop care pathways for the patients with advanced diseases and their families. The research group has special interests on: management of breathlessness with non-pharmacological methods, Decision making during palliative care and end-of-life care, Ethical aspects of end-of-life, Resource usage and organizing palliative care.
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Sauli Palmu
PeeTU
Docent Sauli Palmu leds the pediatric clinical trials unit PeeTU. The group conducts clinical drug and medical device trials in different phases. The group also conducts research in the health system in children that include palliative care and the treatment of relapsed and refractory cancer in children. In the latter, they collaborates within the specialists from the clinical trial units in the other nordic countries.
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https://www.pirha.fi/palvelut/sairaalat-tays/lasten-ja-nuorten-sairaalapalvelut/lasten-laaketutkimus
Steven Bova
PELICAN Personalized Cancer Medicine
Study of cancer evolution aiming to improve cancer outcomes.
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Toni Seppälä
Precision medicine in abdominal cancers
We focus on precision medicine. It provides tools to identify correctly timed and molecularly targeted therapies for cancer. Our research focuses: 1) Selecting right patients at the right time, 2) Profiling tumors and predicting treatment response and 3) To identify molecular and biological vulnerabilities and features of cancers with poor prognosis.
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https://research.tuni.fi/precision-medicine-abdominal-cancers/
Nonappa Nonappa
Precision Nanomaterials Group
Breast cancer disease and diagnostic models study: Our team develops in vitro models to study the multistep and complex metastasis process. The ultimate aim is to develop a suitable preclinical model for personalized and patient-specific treatment for metastatic breast cancer.
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Vesa Hytönen
Protein Dynamics group
Our research group develops tailored 3D hydrogels to be used to study cancer invasiveness. Our specific focus is on proteins mediating the interaction between cell and extracelluar matric. We utilize organoids in our research.
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Arja Jukkola
Radiotherapy and oncology
Our main research projects concern breast, prostate and colorectal cancers, but we also have research projects on melanoma, lymphoma and brain cancers. Our research focuses on the prognostic and predictive factors in breast cancer. We have a large prospectively collected databank, but we also use various national registers and in vivo – and in vitro -methodology to study basic mechanisms. In addition, we have a large Real World Data set on lung cancer, which we use to study prognostic and predictive factors as well as cost-effectiveness.
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Pia Österlund
RAXO study group
The group studies metastatic colorectal cancer. Raxo study is a centralized multidisciplinary study of resectability, clinical behaviour, and outcomes in metastatic colorectal cancer patients.
Teemu Haikarainen
Structural immunology
We utilize structural biology and molecular modeling to study how deregulated protein function leads to cancer. We also develop new drugs against cancer using structure- and computer-based methods.
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Xin Lai
Systems and Network Medicine Lab
Our research integrates, analyzes, and models diverse molecular data to advance cancer research. We develop and apply informatic and mathematical methods to comprehend tumor heterogeneity, with the objective of identifying cancer biomarkers and treatments.
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Johanna Laukkarinen
Tampere Pancreas Group
The group focuses on clinical, basic and translational research on pancreatitis, pancreatic cancer and cystic tumors, and pancreatic surgical techniques.
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Teemu Murtola
Urology, Lipid metabolism as targetable weakness of prostate cancer
Our research evaluates metabolical vulnerabilities of prostate cancer, with focus on lipid metabolism. We also evaluate ways to target these vulnerabilities
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