Faculty of Medicine and Health Technology
The Faculty of Medicine and Health Technology (MET) is dedicated to pursuing world-class research and delivering high-quality education in the fields of biomedical engineering, biotechnology, medicine and health technology. We conduct internationally acclaimed basic and applied research.
MET International Seminar Serie
The MET International Seminar Serie is organized by the Faculty of Medicine and Health Technology and the Doctoral Programme in Medicine, Biosciences and Biomedical Engineering.
In the serie, high-level international and national speakers give presentations of their own research field. This seminar series brings together the scientific community of MET and others interested and aims to provide the current state of research in the fields of clinical medicine, biomedicine, translational research, molecular biology, bioinformatics and systems biology, cell & tissue technology, biomaterials, biomedical equipment and technology, biophysics and health technology.
The Tampere university community’s areas of priority are technology, health and society. Our Faculty brings together research expertise in medicine, biosciences and technology and is committed to generating new knowledge and solutions that promote health and wellbeing and benefit both individuals and the broader society. Our research interests focus on biomaterials, biosensors, immunology, clinical medicine, tissue engineering, computational systems, imaging, and cell and molecular biology.
MET hosts extensive research infrastructure: MET Core-facilities and Services
Our multidisciplinary Faculty provides a state-of-the-art environment for research that encompasses biotechnology, medicine and technology. Our high-quality basic research paves the way for applied research with commercial potential.
Our close collaboration with the healthcare sector enables us to utilise our research findings, such as new diagnostic methods and treatment options, in clinical practice. Our Faculty is also a member of SPARK Finland, a programme that offers commercialisation support for academic researchers and research-based startups and promotes the growth of internationally competitive healthtech business in Finland.
Our Faculty is home to two Centres of Excellence selected by the Academy of Finland:
The Centre of Excellence in Body-on-Chip Research
Prof. Minna Kellomäki, Prof. Katriina Aalto-Setälä, Prof. Jari Hyttinen, Prof. Pasi Kallio, Prof. Susanna Miettinen and Docent Susanna Narkilahti:
Home page CoEBoC
The Centre of Excellence in Tumour Genetics Research
Prof. Matti Nykter:
Home page Computational Biology
Our Faculty houses six research centres:
- Celiac Disease Research Center, led by Prof. Katri Lindfors and Prof. Katri Kaukinen
- Finnish Cardiovascular Research Center Tampere, led by Research Director Reijo Laaksonen
- Prostate Cancer Research Center, led by Prof. Anssi Auvinen and Prof. Steve Bova
- Science Mimicking Life – Tissue engineering with integrated technologies and clinical translation, led by Prof. Minna Kellomäki and Docent Susanna Narkilahti
- Tampere Center for Child, Adolescent and Maternal Health Research, led by Prof. Per Ahorn and Associate Prof. (tenure track) Hannele Laivuori
- Research Center for Vaccine Development and Immunology - VACCIM, led by Prof. Eeva Moilanen ja Prof. Heikki Hyöty
In addition, Regea Cell and Tissue Center, the Finnish Hub for Development and Validation of Integrated Approaches and Vaccine Research Center are located in our Faculty.
Research groups
Biomedical Measurements, Actuators and Systems
- Mark van Gils - Decision Support for Health
- Pasi Kallio - Micro- and Nanosystems
- Michiel Postema - ULTRASOUND
- Veikko Sariola - Bioinspired Materials and Robotics
- Sampo Tuukkanen - Nanoscale Phenomena and Measurements
- Leena Ukkonen - Wireless Indentification and Sensing Systems
- Antti Vehkaoja - Sensor Technology and Biomeasurements
- Jari Viik - Physiological Measurement Systems and Methods
- Johanna Virkki - Intelligent Clothing
Biotechnology
- Vesa Hytönen - Protein Dynamics CMP
- Seppo Parkkila - Anatomy
Immunology and Virology
- Vesna Blazevic - Vaccine Development and Immunology Unit
- Teemu Haikarainen - Molecular Immunology
- Minna Hankaniemi - Virology and Vaccine Immunology
- Heikki Hyöty - Virology
- Ilkka Junttila - Cytokine biology
- Eeva Moilanen - Immunopharmacology
- Mataleena Parikka - Infection Biology
- Mika Rämet - Experimental Immunology
- Olli Silvennoinen - Molecular Immunology
Surgery
- Juhana Frösen - Hemorrhagic Brain Pathology
- Johanna Laukkarinen - Tampere Pancreas Group
- Jari Laurikka - Surgery (Cardiac Surgery)
- Ville Mattila - Orthopaedics
- Ari Mennander - Cardiovascular Surgery
- Niku Oksala - Surgery (especially Vascular Surgery)
- Teuvo Tammela - Surgery
- Antti Ronkainen - Intracranial Aneurysm Study Group
Bioimaging and Computational Biology
- Jari Hyttinen - Computational Biophysics and Imaging Group
- Hannu Eskola - Quantitative Medical Image Analysis
- Soile Nymark - Biophysics of the Eye CMP
- Jussi Hirvonen - Radiology
- Teemu Ihalainen - Cellular Biophysics CMP
- Matti Nykter - Computational biology
- Pekka Ruusuvuori - Bioimage Informatics
- Marja-Leena Linne - Computational Neuroscience Group
- Olli Yli-Harja - Computational Systems Biology
- Andre S. Ribeiro - Laboratory of Biosystem Dynamics CMP
- Dario Greco - Toxicology and Pharmacology CMP
- Minni Änkö - Functional RNAomics CMP
Child Health Research
- Per Ashorn - Global Health Group
- Matti Korppi - Pediatric Respiratory Medicine
- Keijo Viiri – Intestinal Signalling and Epigenetics CMP
- Olli Lohi - Hematology and oncology
- Kai Eriksson - Pediatric neurology
- Kaija Puura - Child Psychiatry
- Riittakerttu Kaltiala-Heino - Adolescent Psychiatry
Other Fields of Medicine
- Anna Maria Heikkinen - Oral health care
- Katri Kaukinen - Celires
- Markku Sumanen, Tuomas Koskela - General Practice
- Lauri Lehtimäki, Hannu Kankaanranta (Seinäjoki) - Pulmonary Medicine
- Onni Niemelä - Laboratory Medicine (Especially Addiction Medicine)
- Timo Paavonen - Pathology
- Tommi Vasankari - Military medicine
- Sami Oikarinen - Environmental Health
- Timo Peltomäki - Dentistry
- Markus Rautiainen - Otorhinolaryngology
- Rafael Pasternack, Erna Snellman - Dermatology and Venerology
- Riitta Sauni - Occupational Health
- Hanna Kerminen (contact person) - Geriatrics
- Arvi Yli-Hankala - Anaesthesiology
- Juho Lehto - Palliative Medicine
- Emma Raitoharju - Molecular Epidemiology
Mitochondrial research
- Eric Dufour: Mitochondrial Bioenergetics and Metabolism CMP
- Howy Jacobs - Mitochondrial Biology CMP
- Tiina S. Salminen - Mitochondrial Immunometabolism CMP
Women’s health
- Annika Auranen - CHEMOVA - Molecular mechanisms leading to chemoresistance in ovarian cancer, Epidemiology of gynecological cancer
- Hannele Laivuori - Obstetrics and Clinical Genetics
- Karolina Louvanto - Infection and Cancer
- Johanna Mäenpää - Gynecologic oncology
- Kari Nieminen - Urogynecology and gynecologic surgery
- Outi Palomäki - Clinical Obstetrics
- Synnöve Staff - Translational research in gynecological oncology
- Jukka Uotila - Pregnancy complications and clinical obstetrics
Neurology
- Jukka Peltola - Neurologia
- Sari-Leena Himanen - Clinical Neurophysiology
Psychiatry
- Riittakerttu Kaltiala - Adolescent Psychiatry
- Olli Kampman - Psychiatry
- Kaija Puura - Child Psychiatry
Cell and Tissue Engineering and Biomaterials
- Katriina Aalto-Setälä - Physiology, Heart Group
- Sanna Hagman - Neuroimmunology
- Tero Järvinen - Laboratory of Regenerative Medicine
- Susanna Miettinen - Adult Stem Cell Group
- Susanna Narkilahti - Neuro Group
- Heli Skottman - Eye Group
- Hannu Uusitalo - Eye and Vision Research
- Timo Ylikomi - Cell Biology
- Minna Kellomäki - Biomaterials and Tissue Engineering Group
- Jonathan Massera - Bioceramics, -glasses and –composites
- Oommen P. Oommen - Bioengineering and Nanomedicine Group
Cardiovascular Diseases
- Jussi Hernesniemi - Clinical Cardiology
- Mika Kähönen - Clinical Physiology
- Terho Lehtimäki - Clinical Chemistry
- Kjell Nikus - Cardiothoracic Surgery
- Seppo Nikkari - Medical Biochemistry
Cancer Research
- G Steven Bova - PELICAN Personalized Cancer Medicine
- Kirsi Granberg - Cancer Regulation and Immunology
- Arja Jukkola - Oncology and Radiotherapy
- Meenakshisundaram Kandhavelu - Molecular Signaling Lab
- Olli Lohi - Hematology and oncology
- Karolina Louvanto - Infection and Cancer
- Teemu Murtola - Urology
- Johanna Mäenpää - Gynaecological oncology
- Teuvo Tammela - Molecular Biology of Prostate Cancer
- Minni Änkö - Functional RNAomics
- Annika Auranen - CHEMOVA - Molecular mechanisms leading to chemoresistance in ovarian cancer, Epidemiology of gynecological cancer
- Jorma Isola - Cancer Biology
- Synnöve Staff - Translational research in gynecological oncology
Ideal learning environment
Our Faculty produces graduates with broad-based knowledge and skills to meet the future demand for both medical and health technology professionals. Our teaching draws on the latest research conducted worldwide, and we work to ensure that our students are closely integrated into our research community. We maintain diverse learning environments, such as modern simulation and laboratory facilities, and invest in their continuous development. We are committed to creating a positive and supportive atmosphere for our students. Our degree programmes are described below.
Licentiate Degree Programme in Medicine
The Licentiate Degree Programme in Medicine aims to train students to become medical doctors with excellent problem-solving skills and the ability to acquire, evaluate and use new knowledge. We place a high priority on the ability to build close and harmonious relationships with patients and having strong team working skills. Our state-of-the-art Tampere Centre for Skills Training and Simulation enables students to practice their clinical skills in a safe environment through simulations. The programme prepares graduates for a broad range of careers not only in primary health care but also in hospitals. The teaching language of the degree programme is Finnish. The applicant must submit evidence of their good command of the Finnish language for academic purposes upon application.
Medical and dental specialty training
Our Faculty is the second largest provider of medical specialist training in Finland. We offer extensive training in 50 medical specialties and 5 dental specialties. We also offer specialist training in general practice, which confers the right to practice medicine in EU Member States to graduates who have completed a licentiate degree in medicine in Finland. In addition, we provide continuing medical education in 30 medical specialties. The teaching language is Finnish.
Degree Programme in Biotechnology and Biomedical Engineering
Our future society will have a growing demand for professionals who are capable of addressing challenges relating to the health and well-being of people and our living environments. The Degree Programme in Biotechnology and Biomedical Engineering aims to respond to this demand. We provide students with a unique, cross-disciplinary environment for learning that brings together biosciences, biomedicine and biomedical engineering to improve people’s well-being and promote the adoption of new health technology applications. Our teaching is based on the most recent research evidence, and our students become part of our research community. The programme provides students with broad knowledge and skills for a variety of careers that require the ability to collaborate effectively with professionals from different fields. The teaching is provided in Finnish at bachelor level and in English at master level.
Students who complete the programme are awarded the degree of Master of Science (MSc) or Master of Science in Technology (MSc Tech). Our students can choose their specialisation from a range of options based on their personal interests and career goals.
International master's degree programmes
We offer international students two English-taught master’s programmes: the Master’s Degree Programme in Biomedical Sciences and Engineering and the Master´s Degree Programme in Biomedical Technology. These programmes offer students the opportunity to gain an in-depth understanding of the high-quality international research conducted in our Faculty. Although the language of instruction in these programmes is English, most of the courses bring together international and Finnish students, which will help our international students integrate into the campus community and adjust to life in Finland. Both programmes offers students multiple specialisation options.
Master's Degree Programme in Biomedical Sciences and Engineering
- Biomedical Sciences and Engineering, Health Technology and Informatics
- Biomedical Sciences and Engineering, Biomaterials and Tissue Engineering
- Biomedical Sciences and Engineering, Biomedical Micro- and Nanodevices
Master's Degree Programme in Biomedical Technology
Doctoral programme
We offer a doctoral programme that aims to provide innovative and internationally recognised doctoral education and generate research evidence that improves human well-being and delivers wider benefits to society. Graduates from the Doctoral Programme in Medicine, Biosciences and Biomedical Engineering receive either the degree of Doctor of Science in Technology (DTech), Doctor of Philosophy (PhD), Doctor of Medical Science (MD) or Doctor of Health Sciences (DHSc). The studies towards a doctoral degree consist of theoretical courses and a research project that students typically conduct as part of one of our research groups. We place great emphasis on the quality of academic mentoring; all our doctoral students are assigned to a personal follow-up group that supports and monitors their progress towards the degree.
Other training
We arrange licensing examinations for foreign-trained doctors (information in Finnish) who have graduated outside the EU/EEA and are looking to obtain a license to practice medicine in Finland.
We also provide theoretical education in radiation safety for hospital physicists.
We work in close collaboration with research institutions and industrial partners in Finland and abroad. In the field of medicine, we have active teaching and research partnerships with Tampere University Hospital and other hospitals included in our region’s specific catchment area (Seinäjoki Central Hospital and Kanta-Häme Central Hospital). We actively participate in Tays Cancer Centre and FICAN Mid as well as in Tampere Biobank and FinBioBank. Collaboration has begun with the Neurocenter Finland.
MET host extensive research infrastructure welcoming industrial and research partners for collaboration: MET Core-facilities and Services
Our Faculty is one of the biocenters that make up Biocenter Finland, which is a national research infrastructure in life sciences. We maintain close ties with companies to ensure that our education and research activities respond to their rapidly changing needs. We are committed to developing solutions that benefit society and stimulate economic growth.
Faculty contacts
Management
Dean
Seppo Parkkila
p. +358 401 901 825
seppo.parkkila [at] tuni.fi
Vice Dean for Education
Nina Hutri-Kähönen
p. +358 503 186 288
nina.hutri-kahonen [at] tuni.fi
Vice Dean for Research
Pasi Kallio
p. +358 500 525546
pasi.kallio [at] tuni.fi
Head of Unit, BioMediTech Unit
Jari Hyttinen
p. +358 408 490 020
jari.hyttinen [at] tuni.fi
Head of Unit, Clinical Medicine Unit
Katri Kaukinen
p. +358 503 186 343
katri.kaukinen [at] tuni.fi
Head of Degree Programme in Biotechnology and Biomedical Engineering (engineering)
Minna Kellomäki
p. +358 407 066 312
minna.kellomaki [at] tuni.fi
Head of Degree Programme in Biotechnology and Biomedical Engineering (natural sciences)
Vesa Hytönen
p. +358 401 901 517
vesa.hytonen [at] tuni.fi
Doctoral Programme in Medicine, Biosciences and Biomedical Engineering
Mika Kähönen
p. +358 50 318 6297
mika.kahonen [at] tuni.fi
Head of Licentiate Degree Programme in Medicine
Seppo Nikkari
p. +358 50 396 9639
seppo.nikkari [at] tuni.fi
Management support
Special Adviser
Sara Lamminmäki
p. +358 505 234 957
sara.lamminmaki [at] tuni.fi
Executive Assistant
Katriina Viljakka
p. +358 50 4343 223
katriina.viljakka [at] tuni.fi
HR Matters
HR Partner
Emmi Mustaniemi
p. +358 29 452 5042
emmi.e.mustaniemi [at] tuni.fi
Financial matters
Financial Specialist, Financial Services
Sanna Vanhatalo
+358 50 409 1827
sanna.vanhatalo [at] tuni.fi
Financial Specialist
Marko Liiro (Kauppi campus)
+358 50 300 9080
marko.liiro [at] tuni.fi
Financial Specialist
Heli Ahlfors (Hervanta campus)
p. +358 50 301 0023
heli.ahlfors [at] tuni.fi
Education
Head of Study Affairs
Nina Pietilä
p. +358 50 303 4276
nina.pietila [at] tuni.fi
Education Manager (scientific postgraduate degrees)
Henna Mattila
p. +358 40 190 9756
henna.mattila [at] tuni.fi
Education Manager (specialist training)
Sari Orhanen
p. +358 50 437 2657
sari.orhanen [at] tuni.fi
Composition of the Faculty Council (MET)
Members and deputy members between 1.1.2019–31.12.2022
Professors:
- Kaukinen Katri (Aalto-Setälä Katriina)
- Sumanen Markku (Greco Dario)
- Skottman Heli (Nykter Matti)
- Murtola Teemu (Lindfors Katri)
- Ukkonen Leena (Vehkaoja Antti)
Teachers, researchers and other staff:
- Juuti-Uusitalo Kati (Granberg Kirsi)
- Kesseli Juha (Ryynänen Tomi)
- Jääskeläinen Juhani (Kakko Kirsi)
- Nymark Soile (Virkki Johanna)
- Kunnas Tarja (Oksanen Pia)
Students:
(term 2021–2022)
- Ryyppö Lauri (Seppälä Lauri)
- Haapakoski Julius (Tainio Vappu)
- Alexanova Anna (Öljymäki Elina)
- Sarmala Sofia (Hautamäki Markus)
- Karhu Maria (Tapio Emilia)
Guidelines for Applying for the Title of Docent
The University may, upon application, award the title of docent to individuals who have a comprehensive knowledge of their field, a capacity for independent research or artistic work demonstrated through publications or some other manner, and good teaching skills.
Criteria, application procedure and faculty-speficic instructions