Human Brain Disease Modelling (Lehtonen lab)

Šárka Lehtonen, Ph.D. in Pharmacology​ – I am a highly motivated, results-driven senior researcher and group leader who has over 20-years of experience in in vitro and in vivo pharmacology and over 10-years of experience in stem cell technology. I am very committed to exceeding goals and working with the team to develop novel human models for neurological diseases and drug development studies.

Katrina Räty (Albert), Ph.D. in Pharmacology – I have expertise in models of Parkinson’s disease, with a focus on the main pathological protein: alpha-synuclein. I completed my PhD at the University of Helsinki and then went to University of Cambridge to improve my knowledge of alpha-synuclein. Now I am back in Finland and starting my own project in the Lehtonen lab related to microglia and alpha-synuclein. My main interest is in making better preclinical models to find new treatments for disease. When I’m not thinking about alpha-synuclein you can find me trying new beers and brewing my own, or then attending concerts (just kidding – I’m thinking about alpha-synuclein those times too).

Sinem Yildirim (Guden), Ph.D. in Pharmacology – I am particularly interested in neuroinflammation and neurodegeneration. In my current position as a postdoctoral researcher in the Lehtonen lab, I have been working on the project investigating how environmental micro- and nanoplastics affect the immune response in Parkinson’s disease. I seek to enhance my expertise in developing translatable and predictive in vitro human-based cellular models to address the urgent need for effective pharmaceuticals in neurodegenerative diseases.

Tuuli-Maria Sonninen, M.Sc. in Molecular Medicine, PhD student – I am working  in the blood-brain barrier on a chip project.

Jonna Niskanen, M.Sc. in Molecular Medicine, PhD student – I am intrigued by our immune system – the body’s first line of defense – and the intercellular communications within. My previous projects have all been connected to cellular communications in one way or another. In my current position, I can combine the cell signaling and immunology aspects. I study iPSC-derived microglia and astrocytes in PD to see how these highly reactive glial cells effect neuronal wellbeing.

Sara Kälvälä, M.Sc. in Biomedicine – My research is focused on iPSC-derived midbrain organoids as a model system for PD. Next-generation human-based disease models could offer a more efficient and physiologically relevant alternative to animal models, bridging the gap between in vivo and in vitro. The brain is an immensely intricate organ with a vast variety of cell types functioning in perfect harmony – capturing a snapshot of that complexity in vitro is super exciting!​​ I completed my Master’s thesis in the Lehtonen lab and am thrilled to continue working with the group. Outside the lab, I enjoy creative activities like drawing, photography and sculpting. Also, a self-confessed podcast addict.

Vili Hakosalo, M.Sc. in Genetics and Molecular Biology – I am a project researcher in the Human brain disease modelling group. I have graduated from the University of Helsinki in 2021. My BSc is from biotechnology. I am interested in finding molecular pathways and setting up models for neurodegenerative diseases. More detailed, I am working on establishing in vitro models for PD with bona fide Lewy bodies.

Sanni Peltonen, M.Sc. in Biomedicine – I’m working on projects related to the blood-brain barrier and microglia. I’ve graduated at the beginning of 2022 from the University of Eastern Finland but have been working in the group since 2021 and before that made my master’s thesis in the group. Currently, I am concentrating on blood-brain barrier modelling and glial cells. For me, it is important to develop more accurate human in vitro models for disease studies and drug development and thus offer better alternatives for in vivo models.

Valtteri Syvänen, M.Sc. in Pharmacy – I am currently working as a project researcher in the Human brain disease modelling group. When I finished my Master’s thesis in the Lehtonen lab it was clear to me that I want keep exploring the vast field of disease modelling. Neurodegenerative diseases have been a major interest of mine during my studies so it is exciting to continue as part of this group. I have experience in 3D and 2D culturing and at the moment my focus is on developing an in vitro gut-brain-axis model to study gut changes in Parkinson’s disease.

2022

• Lab “pikkujoulu” dinner at Kuzina
• Valtteri Syvänen continues to work in our group as a project researcher from July
• Katrina Räty received a grant from the YUFE Postdoctoral Programme
• Eugenio Gallucio from Italy joined our group as an intern
• Katrina Räty received the postdoctoral funding from the Finnish Cultural Foundation
• Patryk Krupa from Poland joined our group as a research trainee to work with midbrain organoids
• PhD student Tuuli-Maria Sonninen and PI Sarka Lehtonen received research grants from Päiviki and Sakari Sohlberg Foundation to model BBB with human iPSC-derived cells and to reveal metabolic profile of human microglia obtained from PD patients

2021

• Lab “pikkujoulu” in escape rooms and dinner at Blocco
• PhD student Jonna Niskanen received a three and half years salaried position from DPMM starting from January 2022
• Katrina Räty (Albert) joined our group after her postdoc in Spillantini group at the University of Cambridge
• Valtteri Syvänen started his Master`s thesis project in our group
• Sanni Peltonen and Sara Kälvälä joined our group as research assistants
• Group retreat in Puijo Disc Golf Park in June
• Vili Hakosalo joined our group as a project researcher in May
• Jonna Niskanen started as an early-stage researcher in January

2020

• Sarka Lehtonen received a three years Senior research fellowship from Sigrid Juselius Foundation in December
• PhD student Tuuli-Maria Sonninen was granted a three years position from the Doctoral Programme of Molecular Medicine in September
• Sarka Lehtonen obtained a three years research grant from Janne and Aatos Erkko Foundation in September
• Sarka Lehtonen got a funding for young group leaders from Sigrid Juselius Foundation in March