Designer gene transfer tools (vectors) are key in treating different inherited or acquired diseases safely with gene therapy. With the help of multilevel-optimized vectors based on the Human Immunodeficiency Virus 1 (HIV-1) and CRISPR/Cas, we pursue to develop an effective and safe gene therapy treatment to familial hypercholesterolemia and heart failure, both important diseases in Finland but also leading causes of deaths worldwide. Our research also includes the creation of safe and optimally efficient CAR T cells for cell therapy of cancer, studying the role of nucleoli in health and disease, characterizing genome-wide effects of transgene integration, and assessing the safety of gene transfer. We have shown that the natural tendency lentivirus vectors (LVs) to integrate in a nearly random manner can be modified so that they are less likely to destroy important cellular genes or cause other unwanted side-effects. The modified vectors can also be harnessed for the delivery of desired proteins into target cells. Our approaches to improve the safety and efficiency of gene therapy treatments include multi-level targeting of LVs to the cells and tissues most relevant to achieve a curative outcome and through minimizing the risks for undesired side effects, including insertional mutagenesis and immunogenicity.

I am part of the The GeneCellNano consortium funded by the Academy of Finland’s Flagship Programme.

Dominique van de Klundert is a visiting postdoctoral researcher from Aotearoa New Zealand, working between UEF and the University of Rijeka courtesy of the YUFE programme. Her doctoral research developed a media archaeology-informed ‘stereographic’ methodology for de/colonising visual heritage research, combining 3D photographic imaging with the Latin American personal-political oral history narrative form of testimonio to simulate a conversation among residents of contested UNESCO World Heritage Sites in Bolivia and Palestine.

Other projects analysed the evidentiary status and heritage qualities of the documentary photographs of early Australian photographer J.W. Lindt and critically investigated the use of criminal death masks in the intersecting practice of phrenology and development of neuroscience at the University of Melbourne’s medical school. Having served as a travel and academic editor, she also supported innovative research dissemination in video format as a participant in the ‘Science & Startups’ programme of the Berlin University Alliance.

Her current project investigates the ways in which eco-discourse around designated international ‘dark sky’ communities combating light pollution in Europe and the UK suggests a resurgence of the notion of ‘planetary’ heritage integrated with more-than-human wellbeing.

One of the hallmarks of osteoarthritis progression is cartilage degeneration, which is partly driven by cartilage cells. However, the mechanisms triggering the cell-driven cartilage degeneration and tissue adaptation are poorly understood. Thus, in my Phd work we investigate how different cell-level mechanisms contribute to the cartilage degradation and osteoarthritis progression in injured cartilage.

To provide insight to the cartilage degradation mechanisms, we implement computational models to assess cell-driven cartilage degeneration after biomechanical (excessive loading triggered degradation) and biochemical (pro-inflammatory cytokine, such as interleukin-1 (IL-1), triggered degradation) stimulus. As shown by previous experiments, these factors may cause cell death, oxidative stress, and cell damage, promoting cartilage proteoglycan (PG) degeneration. These degenerative factors will be simulated first with tissue-level models. With the new numerical model, we are also going to assess potential intervention strategies to mitigate cell death and cartilage degradation as well as potential tissue recovery. The model is going to be calibrated against new in vitro biological experiments.

Finally, the new cell-driven tissue-level degradation model will be augmented into the joint-level models of articular cartilage to estimate patients’ cartilage health. Improved joint-level models could supplement the current models by providing novel tools to better estimate cartilage adaptation as well as avail development of new intervention strategies.