Keyword: Faculty of Medicine

T helper 17 (Th17) cells belong to a group of T cells with essential functions in autoimmune diseases and inflammation. Regulatory T cells (iTregs) are T cells with a suppressive function to maintain self-tolerance and prevent autoimmune responses. Researchers from Turku Centre for Biotechnology and Aalto University together utilised the advanced technology called label-free quantitative proteomics to identify the proteomes of Th17 and iTreg cells.

The importance of the human brown adipose tissue (BAT) has become clearer during the past ten years. Using functional imaging, positron emission tomography, PET, it was possible to show that adult humans have functional BAT. Coldness is one of the most effective activators of the BAT metabolic function but, in rodents, eating has also been shown to activate BAT. The debate on whether eating has the same effect on humans has lasted for decades. Now, the researchers at Turku PET Centre have proven that having a meal increases oxygen consumption in human BAT to the same extent as coldness.

The Medisiina Service Point (Faculty of Medicine services) is closed on July 9-29, 2018 (Weeks 28 - 30)

The Academy of Finland has selected ten new Academy Professors for the period of 1 Jan 2019–31 Dec 2023. From the University of Turku, Director of the Research Centre of Applied and Preventive Cardiovascular Medicine, Professor Olli Raitakari was awarded an Academy Professorship.

Neuropathic pain is the chronic, pathological pain that continues even when the cause of pain is removed. Causes include damage to nerve cells and medicines used to treat cancer. A collaboration between research groups from Indiana University in Bloomington, USA and Turku Centre for Biotechnology in Finland has discovered an experimental molecule that appears to interrupt the signaling cascades in the body required for multiple forms of neuropathic pain.

The winner of the University’s Three Minute Thesis Competition (3MT) 2018 was Khalil Shahramian. He will represent the University of Turku in the international 3MT competition organised by the Coimbra Group.

​Khalil Shahramian (left) was the favourite of both the judges and the audience. Pablo Perez came in second.

A new research report shows that a high ranking in the Human Development Index (HDI) is connected with the availability of mental health services. In a comparison between 17 European and Asian countries, Norway, Switzerland and Finland had the highest ratio of child and adolescent psychiatrists. The report was compiled by the Eurasian Child & Adolescent Mental Health Study (EACMHS) network established by the Research Centre for Child Psychiatry at the University of Turku, Finland. The report was published as an editorial in the European Child and Adolescent Psychiatry journal.

Period for applying for a right to study for a doctoral degree in the Faculty of Medicine is March 1 – 20, 2018. The right to study begins on August 1, 2018.

Drug development and diagnostics is a joint thematic research collaboration between the University of Turku and Åbo Akademi University. Now, the Universities are launching a new website, drugdevelopment.fi, which presents their expertise in drug development and diagnostics. In addition, the research field is strengthened with five new assistant professor recruitments.