Research groups that operate wholly or partly under the Department of Microbiology.
The groups are presented in alphabetical order by the last name of the group leader.
We aim towards deep understanding of RNA virus replication at the molecular level. Through the discovery of basic mechanistic principles, we develop new and general antiviral strategies.
The Multidisciplinary Centre of Excellence in Antimicrobial Resistance Research takes a comprehensive approach to understanding determinants of antimicrobial resistance across scales from a One Health perspective that incorporates humans, animals and the environment. The researchers from different scientific disciplines will work in close collaboration in order to achieve the interdisciplinary scientific goals.
The director of the Multidisciplinary Center of Excellence in Antimicrobial Resistance Research is Marko Virta. The centre comprises research groups operating at the University of Helsinki and University of Turku.
Our group is interested in the eco-evolutionary dynamics of species interactions in multi-trophic communities. We are specifically focused on plant rhizosphere and human lung microbiomes and how interactions within these microbial communities affect the fitness and survival of associated host organisms. Elucidating these processes is especially important for understanding bacterial disease dynamics in agricultural and medical contexts and developing new ways to control infections.
The Fungal Genetics and Biotechnology group studies plant biomass modifying enzymes from asco- and basidiomycete fungi. The research focuses on various aspects of fungal molecular biology and enzymology. Lignocellulose, particularly lignin, degradation has been our the long term interest. Our research has provided strong international contribution in the field of fungal and enzymatic degradation of lignin and lignocellulose.
Eco-physiology, genomics, transcriptomics and metabolism of wood-decaying forest fungi are our topics of research. By the aid of modern omics, we aim at opening fungal metabolism, interactions and gene expression upon wood-decay and waste lignocellulose bioconversions to biofuels and bioproducts.
Our goal is to understand if and how Desulfovibrio bacteria contribute to development and progression of Parkinson´s disease. Can potentially pathogenic strains of Desulfovibrio bacteria be eradicated from the intestine using bacteriophages, probiotics, diet, and antibiotics and does eradication have an effect on disease progression?
Microbes have a major effect on the ecosystem and humans. Microbes run biogeochemical cycles of the elements, play a major role in the intestines of animals and biotechnology such as waste water treatment and food production, just to mention some. On the other hand, microbes cause diseases for plants, animals and humans. We are intrested in the fuctions of microbes in different human impacted environments. We are particulary interested in the genetics of the bacteria living in those environments and the interactions between different microbes and between microbes and bioactive molecules present in the environment. On the other hand, we are interested in microbial life in extreme environments.