Minerva Foundation

Research Groups

CARDIOVASCULAR RESEARCH

Päivi Lakkisto, M.D., Dr.Med.Sci., Adjunct Professor
tel: +358 2 941 25702
email: paivi.lakkisto@helsinki.fi

The group studies mechanisms of end-organ damage and repair in cardiovascular and renal diseases, notably local expression and regulation of vasoactive factors and apoptosis in hypertension, heart failure, and progression of renal damage. In addition, properties of new cardiovascular drugs are being evaluated. READ MORE

CELLULAR NEUROSCIENCE

Pirta Hotulainen, Ph.D., Docent
tel: +358 2 941 25710
email: pirta.hotulainen@helsinki.fi

The research in the group focuses on the regulation of the actin cytoskeleton in neurons, and particularly its disturbances in neuropsychiatric diseases. READ MORE

CELLULAR PHYSIOLOGY

Kid Törnqvist, Ph.D., Professor
tel: +358 2 941 25706
email: kid.tornqvist@abo.fi

The main topic of the research is to understand the physiological significance of sphingolipid derivatives as regulators of calcium and potassium channels, and sphgingolipids as regulators of thyroid cancer cell function. READ MORE

ENDOCRINOLOGY

Hannele Yki-Järvinen, M.D., Dr.Med.Sci., F.R.C.P, Professor
tel: +358 2941 25709
email: hannele.yki-jarvinen@helsinki.fi

The main goal is to study the causes and consequences of insulin resistance in humans with a special focus on the role of fat accumulation in the liver. READ MORE

LIPID SIGNALING AND HOMEOSTASIS

Vesa Olkkonen, Ph.D., Professor
tel: +358 2 941 25705
email: vesa.olkkonen@helsinki.fi

The research group investigates new regulatory mechanisms that our cells employ to maintain their lipid balance and to integrate their lipid status with other vital functions such as vesicle transport and cell signaling. The work aims at the identification of novel mechanisms that impact the development of cardiovascular diseases and fatty liver/metabolic syndrome, the long-term aim being to find new approaches for the prevention and treatment of these diseases. READ MORE

MEMBRANE BIOLOGY

Elina Ikonen, M.D., Dr.Med.Sci., Professor
tel: +358 2941 25277
email: elina.ikonen@helsinki.fi

We aim to learn how cholesterol and related sterols move in the intracellular milieu and the sterol compartmentalization in cells is maintained. We also want understand how changes in cellular cholesterol homeostasis lead to human diseases, and what can be done to improve their detection and treatment.The main targets of our study are the molecular machineries of intracellular cholesterol transport and the mechanisms controlling distribution of cholesterol and related sterols in distinct membrane domains. We approach these questions by employing a variety of molecular cell biological, in vitro biochemical/physical, and advanced imaging approaches. READ MORE

METABOLISM

Heikki Koistinen, M.D., Dr.Med.Sci., Docent
tel: +358 2 941 25710
email: heikki.koistinen@helsinki.fi

The main interest of the group is to understand the molecular mechanisms regulating insulin sensitivity in skeletal muscle. We are particularly interested in how lipid excess contributes to skeletal muscle insulin resistance, and how lipid-induced insulin resistance can be reversed.
READ MORE

NEURONAL SIGNALING

Dan Lindholm, M.D. Dr.Med.Sci., Professor
tel: +358 2 941 25400
email: dan.lindholm@helsinki.fi

We study basic mechanisms underlying neurodegenerative diseases with focus on cell death pathways and proteins with the aim to contribute to better therapies to combat cell degeneration. We further study synaptic degeneration and protein ubiquitination and neurotrophic factor signaling in neurons as well as neural stem cells and their differentiation and responses. READ MORE

CARDIOVASCULAR DISEASE IN THE YOUNG

Taisto Sarkola, M.D, Dr.Med.Sci., Docent
email: taisto.sarkola@helsinki.fi