Tiia Turunen

My research focuses on non-coding RNAs (ncRNAs) and how they regulate gene expression, especially during hypoxia. I’m specifically interested in small ncRNAs, such as microRNAs (miRNAs), and their action in cell nuclei. miRNAs downregulate gene expression by targeting messenger-RNAs in the cytoplasm, but they also have roles in e.g. alternative splicing and transcriptional gene regulation in the nucleus that are still less studied. Importantly, miRNAs targeting the promoter regions of genes can induce target gene expression. We can utilize this feature in new RNA therapy (Epigenetherapy). I’m also studying extracellular vesicles (EVs), such as exosomes. My research aims to develop engineered EV carrier by modifying EVs for enhanced RNA loading into EVs and targeting them to hypoxic tissue.