Kuva: Pirkko-Liisa Mannila
In his doctoral dissertation, MSc Arttu Autio-Kimura investigated how viruses and inherited retroviral DNA embedded in the human genome are connected to immune system aging and neurodegenerative diseases. The findings revealed age-related changes in the activity of certain inherited viral sequences and identified links between these sequences and brain cells affected by multiple sclerosis, while no age-related changes were detected in the activity or genetic diversity of viruses acquired through infection. The results provide new insights into the relationships between viral activity, aging, and neurodegeneration, helping guide future research into the biological mechanisms underlying age-related and neurological diseases.
The doctoral dissertation of MSc Arttu Autio-Kimura titled Human Endogenous Retroviruses and the Human Virome in Immunosenescence: Transcriptomic analyses of blood and brain tissue will be publicly examined at the Faculty of Medicine and Health Technology at Tampere University on Friday, 6 November 2026. The dissertation is in the field of microbiology and immunology.
The Opponent will be Professor Emeritus Seppo Meri from the University of Helsinki. The Custos will be Docent Sauli Palmu from the Faculty of Medicine and Health Technology, Tampere University.