Perinatal Research Team
Research group information
Unit and faculty
Contact information
Research group leader
- Professor
- Professor emeritusMikko Hallman
Research group description
Preterm birth is a serious global problem causing loss of ~80 million quality-adjusted life years annually. Substantial decrease in severity of lethal neonatal diseases and decrease in the risk of preterm birth are major medical breakthroughs. Our investigation proceeds from original causes of disease to treatment and prevention, considering unique human evolution. Proceeding from candidate genes to genome and proteome we aim to understand the molecular background of both predisposition to spontaneous preterm birth and serious life-threatening diseases of the very preterm. Our present projects integrate transitional research to randomized trials utilizing a unique northern preterm cohort. International networks are integrated.
Future goals are to prevent serious consequences of preterm birth and to decrease premature births. We implement genomic, epigenomic, transcriptomic and proteomic research to characterize disease-predisposing pathways. Our long term aim is to investigate individualized therapies that decrease the risk of spontaneous preterm birth and the chronic consequences of immaturity.
- Professor Louis Muglia, UC Department of Pediatrics, Perinatal Institute, University of Cinncinnati, OH, USA
- Professor Aarno Palotie, The Broad Institute of Massachusetts Institute of Technology and Harvard University, Cambridge, MA, USA
- Professor Lavoie Pascal, Child & Family Research Institute, Partner Institute, Division of Neonatology, Department of Pediatrics, University of British Columbia, Canada
- Professor Stephen Kingsmore, Department of Pediatrics, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology at UMKC and Center for Pediatric Genomic Medicine at Children's Mercy Hospital. Kansas City, MI, USA
- Finnish Neonatal Network (Gen-BPD). Sture Andersson, MD, PhD, Helsinki University Central Hospital/Helsinki University; Outi Tammela, MD, PhD, Tampere University Hospital; Professor Liisa Lehtonen, Turku University Hospital/Turku University; Ulla Sankilampi, MD, PhD, Kuopio University Hospital