The event features scientific presentations from BIO&MEDI units’ research groups, fostering collaboration and knowledge exchange. The Spring Research Day is part of the broader Spring Research Day series within the MET Faculty, complementing the MET Research Days event (next implementation initially planned to the beginning of 2027).
While the Spring Research Days provide a deeper dive into research conducted within specific units, allowing researchers to engage in in-depth discussions and share the latest advancements in their field, the MET Research Days focuses on science popularization, networking, and interdisciplinary collaboration across units and disciplines.
The entire MET Faculty is warmly invited to participate in the BIO&MEDI units' Research Day!
Program
8:45-9:00 Coffee available
9.00-9.05 Opening of the event
9:05-9:10 Awarding the Inventor of the Year
Session 1 - BIO
Chair: Lackson Kashobwe
9.10-9.30: Uncovering the Coevolution of Mitochondrial Function and Cell Cycle Regulation in Shaping Life History Strategies, Yuka Mori (PI: Sina Saari)
9.30-9.50: New Vaccine Against Tuberculosis: Toward Clinical Trials, Topias Isotalo (PI: Mika Rämet)
9.50-10.10: COVID-19 Pandemic Restrictions Reshaped the Human Virome Toward Persistent Viral Shedding, Eevi Sipponen (PI: Sami Oikarinen)
10.10-10.30: Break with coffee & snacks
Session 2 - MEDI
Chair: Xin Lai
10.30-10.50: Gene Expression Analysis in Dermatitis Herpetiformis in Relation to Clinical Phenotypes, Helka Kaunisto (PI: Katri Lindfors)
10.50-11.10: Transcriptomics with computational modeling reveals brain bioenergetic dysregulation in schizophrenia, lona Mäkinen (PI: Tuomo Mäki-Marttunen)
11.10-11.30: From Nanoprocesses to Whole-cell Dynamics: Multiscale Modeling of Astroglial Calcium Signaling in the Cerebellum, Laura Keto (PI: Tiina Manninen)
11.30-11.50: Understanding Conjunctional Targeting as a New Synergy Mechanism, Henry Cheng (PI: Mohieddin Jafari)
11.50-12.50: Lunch for participants from the canteen serving line, covered by the organizing units
Session 3 - BIO
Chair: Sanna Korpela
12.50-13.10: Visualizing Mechanical Signaling in Cells and Tissues with Molecular Force Sensors and Epitope-specific Binders, Rolle Rahikainen
13.10-13:30: Recombinant ECM Mimetic Hydrogels for Studying Mechanobiology and Disease, Austin Donnelly Evans (PI: Vesa Hytönen)
13.30-13.50: State-of-Art Mass Spectrometry Facility at TAU/ MET, Lackson Kashobwe (PI: Kirsi-Maarit Lehto)
13.50-14.10: Break with coffee/tea & snacks
Session 4 - MEDI
Chair: Noora Nevala
14.10-14.30: Mitochondrial Inhibition Disrupts Chromatin Remodelling to Drive Celiac Disease, Keijo Viiri
14.30-14.50: Enterovirus Infections Are Associated with the Initiation of Autoimmunity That Links to Type 1 Diabetes – Prospective TEDDY Study, Jutta Laiho
14.50-15.10: The nc886 – Methylation Pattern with Clear Link to Ancestral Origins with No Genetic Determinants?, Emma Raitoharju
15.10-15.30: Understanding Thermogenic Process and Resilience in King Penguins, Nina Cossin-Sevrin (PI: Eric Dufour)
15.30-15:35: Closing of the event
Get-together
Time: 15.45 →
Location: Kanslerinrinne 1, Pinni B building, 2nd floor
Get-together (after the main event – please remember to register!)
Following the main programme, you are warmly invited to continue the evening at a get-together held at the Pinni B cafeteria, located near the main auditorium in a neighbouring building on the same campus.
The evening will include dinner and a light, informal programme in a relaxed atmosphere, featuring a light-hearted quiz and offering an opportunity for networking and informal conversations with colleagues.
The get-together is organized by the MET Postdoc Community and the MET PhD Social Club.
Organiser
MET Faculty, BIO and MEDI units
Further information
Scientific: Xin Lai, Noora Nevala; Get-together: Antti Ahola, Virginia Alessandro Gobbo, Helka Kaunisto, Tomi Ryynänen; Practicalities: Mariaana Savia