Photo: Anna Mäkiniemi
I conduct research in molecular biology and neuroscience focused on developing new methods to study RNA and proteins directly in living cells. The goal is to understand how cells communicate and process information – for example how neurons signal and how memories can be stored and modified over time.
Traditional methods often require cells to be destroyed for analysis. Instead, we develop chemical reactions that can be performed inside living cells without disturbing their natural biological processes, together with high-resolution techniques that make it possible to follow individual RNA molecules and protein interactions in real time.
The research also has an evolutionary biology perspective, where we investigate how fundamental mechanisms for information processing and memory-like processes may have emerged before the evolution of nervous systems and synapses. By combining chemistry, molecular biology, and advanced microscopy, we develop new tools for the future of brain research and medicine.
Interests: Molecular biology, neuroscience, evolutionary biology, advanced microscopy, development of molecular tools, RNA biology, bio-orthogonal chemistry, sequencing technology, and information processing in cells.
Other: In my spare time, I enjoy sailing in the Stockholm archipelago. Earlier on, I was deeply committed to jazz and spent years playing the double bass with ambitions of becoming a professional musician.
I am passionate about issues concerning the future research system and young researchers’ opportunities to make a real difference, both within academia and in society. I am particularly interested in how research can be better translated through entrepreneurship, innovation and commercialisation, so that new discoveries can benefit society more quickly. I am also engaged in issues around internationalisation and how Sweden can improve in attracting and retaining international research talents.
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