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Biography
MSc in integrin adhesion and cancer: University of Jyväskylä (2002-2007)
PhD in integrin adhesion and cancer: University of Turku (2007-2010)
Post-doc in lysosome functions in cancer, Cancer Society REsearch Center: 2014-2017
Cell biologist: Department of Pathology (2017-2018)
Post-doc in immunology: 2021-2023
Principal investigator in pathogenic immune cell vesicles: 2023-
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Biomedical scientist, experience in human cancer and immune cell research; strong know-how in microscopy techniques and setting up imaging applications in tissue models. Special eye on pattern recognition and subcellular alterations of intracellular organelles; keen interest towards lysosome and extracellular vesicle functions in immune cells and in pathologic conditions therein. Driven towards translational applications stemming from basic research.
Work experience in CE-IVD environment, clinical hospital pathology, pharmaceutical R&D and biomarker design.
https://www.linkedin.com/in/saara-h%C3%A4m%C3%A4list%C3%B6-8941b089/
https://twitter.com/HamalistoS63929
Research
The vesicle structures in the human body act as important messengers in the cells, and they regulate e.g. the spatiotemporal receptor
delivery to the cell surface during cell migration or upon release of enzymes. B cells, the armed forces in the immune system, get
activated and attack invading pathogens with the help of these vesicles. Thus, recognizing the mechanisms that activate the B cell vesicles
is crucial.
We are interested to resolve the mechanisms by which lysosome- and extracellular vesicles (EV) function in B cell
activation. We utilize pharmacological targeting and fine microscopy techniques to resolve these functions in B cell activation. We will
use human B cell lines and B cell lymphoma-, lymphoid- and blood samples from healthy and diseased donors. With the new openings
we expect to generate significant data on lysosome and EV functions in B cells. This project is performed at the Institute of Biomedicine
(University of Turku) and with collaborating laboratories.