Laura Elo profile picture
Laura
Elo
InFLAMES Flagship
Research Director, Turku Bioscience Centre
Professor, Turku Bioscience Centre

Contact

+358 29 450 2090
+358 50 468 0795
Tykistökatu 6
20520
Turku

Areas of expertise

Computational biomedicine
medical bioinformatics
data science
machine learning
artificial intelligence
biomarkers
computational systems immunology

Biography

Laura Elo is Professor of Computational Medicine and Head of Medical Bioinformatics Centre at University of Turku, Finland. She received PhD in Applied Mathematics in 2007 and became Adjunct Professor in Biomathematics in 2011. After postdoctoral research in molecular immunology and computational systems biology, she received JDRF Career Development Award from US and established herself as independent group leader. In 2014 she became Research Director and in 2016 Vice Director of Turku Bioscience. She has published >150 research articles and >20 software packages and led several research projects (e.g. ERC).

Teaching

Modern Biotechnologies and Bioinformatics; Bioinformatics in Drug Discovery; Systems biology; AI in Diagnostics, Drug Discovery and Imaging; Bioinformatics Journal Club
Training of MSc and PhD students and postdoctoral fellows

Research

We develop computational methods and models for transforming large-scale molecular and clinical datasets to biomedical knowledge. A specific focus is on analyzing and interpreting data generated by modern high-throughput biotechnologies and other digital health data in a robust and reproducible manner. Using statistical modelling and advanced machine learning techniques, we have, for instance, identified early markers for type 1 diabetes and developed several powerful computational models for predicting disease and treatment risks. The ultimate goal is to improve the diagnosis, prognosis and treatment of complex diseases in close collaboration with experimental and clinical research groups. In our ongoing studies, we focus on development of robust computational tools for proteome, epigenome, and multi-modal single-cell data analysis; artificial intelligence in the analysis of digital health data for early prediction of disease and treatment risks; and computational systems immunology to study human T cell development and immune-mediated diseases. For more information, visit our website: https://elolab.utu.fi

Publications

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Compressive stress-mediated p38 activation required for ERα + phenotype in breast cancer (2021)

Nature Communications
Munne Pauliina M., Martikainen Lahja, Räty Iiris, Bertula Kia, Nonappa, Ruuska Janika, Ala-Hongisto Hanna, Peura Aino, Hollmann Babette, Euro Lilya, Yavuz Kerim, Patrikainen Linda, Salmela Maria, Pokki Juho, Kivento Mikko, Väänänen Juho, Suomi Tomi, Nevalaita Liina, Mutka Minna, Kovanen Panu, Leidenius Marjut, Meretoja Tuomo, Hukkinen Katja, Monni Outi, Pouwels Jeroen, Sahu Biswajyoti, Mattson Johanna, Joensuu Heikki, Heikkilä Päivi, Elo Laura L., Metcalfe Ciara, Junttila Melissa R., Ikkala Olli, Klefström Juha
(Vertaisarvioitu alkuperäisartikkeli tai data-artikkeli tieteellisessä aikakauslehdessä (A1))

Secretin activates brown fat and induces satiation (2021)

Nature Metabolism
Laurila Sanna, Sun Lihua, Lahesmaa Minna, Schnabl Katharina, Laitinen Kirsi, Klén Riku, Li Yongguo, Balaz Miroslav, Wolfrum Christian, Steiger Katja, Niemi Tarja, Taittonen Markku, U-Din Mueez, Välikangas Tommi, Elo Laura L, Eskola Olli, Kirjavainen Anna K, Nummenmaa Lauri, Virtanen Kirsi A, Klingenspor Martin, Nuutila Pirjo
(Vertaisarvioitu alkuperäisartikkeli tai data-artikkeli tieteellisessä aikakauslehdessä (A1))

Stable Iterative Variable Selection (2021)

Bioinformatics
Mahmoudian Mehrad, Venäläinen Mikko S, Klén Riku, Elo Laura L
(Vertaisarvioitu alkuperäisartikkeli tai data-artikkeli tieteellisessä aikakauslehdessä (A1))