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Our research unit (FinMIT),
an Academy of Finland Centre of Excellence, includes
three closely integrated research teams. Two of
them, led by Professor Howy Jacobs and Docent
Hans
Spelbrink are based in the Institute of Medical
Technology of the University of Tampere. The third,
led by Docent Anu
Wartiovaara,
is housed in Biomedicum Helsinki
(the biomedical research institute of the University
of Helsinki). The three teams have
overlapping interests and complementary expertise.
Howy Jacobs’ team uses both mammalian
cell and fruit fly models to analyse mitochondrial
gene expression and disease. Hans Spelbrink
studies the genetic apparatus of mitochondrial
DNA maintenance in mammalian cells, and collaborates
closely with Anu Wartiovaara’s team to investigate
the clinical and molecular consequences of mutations
in these genes. Anu Wartiovaara’s main interest
is to identify disease-causing genes and to clarify
the disease pathogenesis in defects of the mitochondrial
energy-generating system. All three groups are highly international. Almost all members of the teams have either relocated to Finland from abroad, or have conducted part of their own research training abroad. Doctoral graduates from FinMIT typically go on to postdoctoral training in other European countries or the USA, aiming to develop their own research careers. The research of FinMIT is supported by many national and international agencies including, notably, the Academy of Finland, the Juselius Foundation and the European Union. |