Vuokko
Loimaranta
Docent, Institute of Dentistry
Laboratory Manager, Institute of Dentistry

Contact

+358 29 450 4172
+358 44 011 1746
Lemminkäisenkatu 2
20520
Turku

Areas of expertise

biochemistry of saliva
salivary immune functions
oral streptococci
bacterial adhesion

Biography

I have made my MSc in Biochemistry in 1993 and obtained my PhD in 1999 in the University of Turku. For 2000-2002 I worked as a Marie Curie Fellow in the University of Umeå.  I returned back to University of Turku to work as a postdoctoral researcher at the Department of Medical Biochemistry and Genetics and continued there as a University Teacher. In 2007-2008 I made a short visit to industry and worked as a Visiting Scientist at Valio Ltd. Adjunct professorship I received in 2008. Since 2018 I have worked as a Laboratory Manager at the Institute of Dentistry.

Research

My research consists studies on the role of saliva in the control of oral and oro-pharyngeal microbiota. Saliva contains a plethora of components that regulate oral microbiota. Activity and amount of these components differ between individuals. The main focus of our research is on identification of the nature and functions of these molecules and exploring their individual variations.

Publications

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Saliva and dental caries (2000)

Advances in Dental Research
Lenander-Lumikari M, Loimaranta V
(Vertaisarvioitu katsausartikkeli tieteellisessä aikakauslehdessä (A2))