Good Health and Wellbeing

The existing biomaterials to modify disease activity in osteoarthritis have not been effective and safe, therefore it is essential to develop novel materials to target disease processes with minimized side-effects. This project aims to discover nanomaterials that are less toxic, safe, economical, and suitable to be used to target inflammation and oxidative stress in joint diseases. The project includes characterization of nanoparticles and mechanistic studies to examine modulation of disease process with nanoparticles. Finally, we will collect preclinical evidence on the efficacy and mode of action. This project will be a step towards identifying antioxidant nanoparticle and whether the nanoparticle-based therapeutic approach is an economical and safe option to treat osteoarthritis.

Related I4WORLD research theme: Good Health and Wellbeing

Location of the position: Health Sciences and Technology (HST) and Biomedicine and Internal Medicine

Researcher: Naila Qamar

Supervisors: Dr. Mikko Finnilä (HST) Dr. Pirjo Åström (Biomedicine and Internal Medicine), Dr. Antoine Dufour (University of Calgary), Janne Mäkelä (University of Eastern Finland)

Partners: University of Calgary (Canada), University of Eastern Finland

Changes in body composition (e.g., muscle mass and body fluids) impact clinical outcomes and prognosis of various diseases. Several methods for monitoring these changes exist, but most methods are not feasible for daily usage and self-monitoring since they are invasive, laboratory-bound, resource intensive, and/or require trained staff. Bioelectrical impedance analysis has gained attention overcoming several of these problems, but so far lack in precision for clinical use. Adding information about structural components and changes within the body using imaging techniques, such as ultrasound imaging, might help in overcoming this limitation. The project therefore aims to evaluate and enhance existing impedance frameworks towards a more precise evaluation of body composition.

Related I4WORLD research theme: Good Health and Wellbeing

Location of the position: Health Sciences and Technology (HST)

Researcher: Leon Robertz

Supervisors: Professor Simo Saarakkala (HST) and Lassi Rieppo (Polar Electro)

Partner: Polar Electro Oy (Finland)

he human genome is organized hierarchically into discrete topologically associated domains (TADs), sub-megabase segments that tend to self-associate and are relatively insulated from neighboring domains. CCCTC-binding factor (CTCF) is one of the key components mediating insulation between TADs. Loss of CTCF has been implicated in cancer leading to disruption of TAD organization. Loss of TAD organization may facilitate the spread of epigenetic aberrations observed in several cancer types including prostate cancer (PCa). Aggressive PCa cells tend to have more euchromatin. The loss of hemidesmosome-forming β4-integrin is a common early event in prostate cancer. Here, the researcher will use genetically engineered PCa cells to address our hypothesis that early prostate cancer cells without proper hemidesmosomal adhesions have mechanically aberrant nuclei leading to reduction of heterochromatin and thereby transcriptional deregulation driving tumorigenesis. The results from this project will enable development of innovative approaches to target epigenetic regulation to efficiently inhibit PCa progression.

Related I4WORLD research theme: Good Health and Wellbeing

Location of the position: Disease Networks (DN)

Researcher: Liang Mao

Supervisors: Prof. Aki Manninen (DN) and Prof. Joseph Irudayaraj (University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign)

Partners: University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, US

The improvement of medical and diagnostic procedures is an ongoing necessity aiming at effective disease or incident prevention through automated remote monitoring, providing appropriate treatment, and managing health risks. The aim of the current project is to develop the next generation of intelligent, highly optimized AI algorithms based on the advanced physical models of the light-object/subject interaction that will allow real-time data processing and not compromise user privacy while ensuring optimal learning performance. Our system will include several specific use cases such as wound management, non-contact assessment of tissue vital signs, tissue regeneration processes, application for security, and prevention of incidents through remote monitoring. The ultimate goal is to develop a safe and efficient AI system capable of predicting and preventing diseases to promote a healthy and safe society.

Related I4WORLD theme: Good Health and Wellbeing

Location of position: Optoelectronics and Measurement Techniques (OPEM)

Researcher: Ifra Arif

Supervisors: Senior Research Fellow Aliaksandr Bykau (OPEM)

Partner: Victoria University of Wellington (New Zealand) and Ecole Polytechnique (France)

Knee osteoarthritis is a chronic joint disease that imposes major challenges on population health. Knee injury is one of the strongest risk factors yet identified, but the complex processes in disease development are poorly understood. The goal is to gain new knowledge of the pathogenesis to identify treatment targets to ultimately prevent or delay costly total knee joint replacements for more sustainable healthcare. The Ph.D. student will analyse magnetic resonance images of a longitudinal cohort of knee-injured patients including but not limited to early bone shape changes based on 3D sequences. These parameters will be related cartilage morphometrics or other structural pathologies developing in the knee as well as functional and clinical outcomes after acute cruciate ligament injury.

Related I4WORLD research theme: Good Health and Wellbeing

Location of the position: Health Sciences and Technology (HST)

Researcher: Leila Hassanlou

Supervisors: Professor Simo Saarakkala (HST), Professor Martin Englund (Clinical Epidemiology Unit, Department of Clinical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, Lund University)

Partner: Lund University (Sweden)

A fundamental question in cognitive sciences is the origin of individual differences in learning and memory. These cognitive abilities are believed to be influenced by factors such as relative brain size and neuroanatomical traits, yet the specific connections between these features and behaviours remain unclear. This project focuses on exploring the problem-solving capabilities of bumblebees within a novel context. Using a multidisciplinary approach, we will employ high-speed video recording and deep learning-based pose tracking to identify behavioural patterns non-invasively. Subsequently, we will investigate potential neuroanatomical correlates by examining neuronal activation markers in brain tissue through confocal imaging. Additionally, we aim to uncover molecular correlates by analysing gene expression profiles related to problem-solving skills. By integrating insights from behavioural biology, neurobiology, psychology, and imaging techniques, this study aims to illuminate the complex cognitive processes observed in bees.

Related I4WORLD research theme: Good Health and Wellbeing

Location of the position: Ecology and Genetics (EG)

Researcher: Akshaye Bhambore

Supervisors: Dr. Olli Loukola (EG), Professor Seppo Vainio (Disease Networks) and Professor Fei Peng (Southern Medical University, China)

Partner: Southern Medical University (China) and University of Sheffield (UK)

Solid-state nanopores integrated with electrical and optical readouts have been intensively explored as the cutting-edge technology for single-molecule and single-cell analysis. However, molecule translocation through the nanopores under electric bias is too fast to allow resistive pulse sensing. In this doctoral research, we plan to apply the active feedback control technology as well as surface modification chemistry to our recent plasmonic nanopores for automatic biomolecule translocation through the nanopores and then plasmon-enhanced Raman spectroscopic analysis of the translocated molecules. The goal is a proof-of-concept demonstration of a single-molecule nanopore device for label-free analysis of extracted molecules from single cells.

Related I4WORLD research theme: Good Health and Wellbeing

Location of the position: Health Sciences and Technology (HST)

Researcher: Alireza Soleimanian

Supervisors: Academy Research Fellow Jian-An Huang (HST, Disease Networks), Dr. Yingqi Zhao (HST, DN), Dr. Aleksei Tiulpin (HST), Prof. Wei Cao (Nano and Molecular Systems), Dr. Cuifeng Ying (Nottingham Trent University)

Partners: Nottingham Trent University (UK)