Life Sciences
NSF Graduate Research Fellows Nordic Research Opportunity in Finland
The research groups listed under this website are examples of top research groups in Finland. Also other Finnish research groups can host NSF Graduate Research Fellows.
Department of Applied Biology, University of Helsinki
Studies on molecular mechanisms of resistance to viruses reveal how or why viruses fail to complete their infection cycle and which viral and host molecules (genes) are involved in this failure. The studies regularly provide novel resolution also to the mechanisms by which viruses suppress or circumvent the resistance mechanisms in host cells. Understanding of these mechanisms and utilization of the knowledge for improving resistance of crop plants to viruses are the main goals of our studies.
Contact person:
Academy Professor Jari P.T. Valkonen
jari.valkonen(at)helsinki.fi
Molecular Biotechnology Group, University of Tampere
Molecular Biotechnology group focuses on engineering of biomolecules for use in bio- and nanotechnology. We use molecular modeling, molecular dynamics simulations, recombinant protein expression, biochemical characterization methods and interaction analyses to understand and manipulate the binding of small molecules to proteins.
Contact person:
Vesa Hytönen
email: vesa.hytonen(at)uta.fi
Molecular Diagnostics team, VTT Technical Research Centre of Finland, Espoo
The main objectives of the Molecular Diagnostics Team is to develop and engineer recombinant antibodies with optimised properties for various e.g. diagnostic and analytical applications. Phage display technology is used for discovering new binding specificities. Binding properties, stability and labelling efficiency of antibodies are improved by protein engineering. Another focus area is the development of novel assay formats based on antibodies and nucleic acids especially for micro- and nanoscale devices with national and international collaborators.
Contact person:
Tarja Nevanen
email: Tarja.Nevanen(at)vtt.fi
Turku Center for Disease Modeling, University of Turku
The group is providing in vivo models for the investigation of disease mechanisms, prevention and treatment, and for preclinical drug development and testing. One of the main research projects in TCDM focuses on prostate cancer biology, and specifically on the development of animal models that can mimic the different aspects of the natural progressive course of prostate cancer. Such models are essential for the development of new therapies and for understanding the biopathological phenomena behind the disease. TCDM prostate cancer project is directed by prof. Sari Mäkelä and prof. Matti Poutanen.
Contact person:
Professor Sari Mäkelä
email: sarmak(at)utu.fi
