Our research projects have primarily evolved around the regulatory role of serine/threonine- specific protein phosphatases. While these phosphatases are involved in a multitude of regulatory and signaling functions, this research interest has resulted in spin-off projects concerning a variety of cellular processes, as listed below. The main bridging topic of interest is the role of phosphorylation-based signaling in homeostatic maintenance vs. its role during cell stress and in disturbances of cell structure and homeostasis.

For further information see http://www.btk.utu.fi/

• Role of Phosphorylation in Regulation of Intermediate Filaments
• Signal transduction in receptor-mediated apoptosis
• Characterization of protein phosphatase inhibitors
• Laboratory alumni

Doctoral Theses

• Microcystins - Potent tools to study serine/threonine protein phosphatases and their role in cytoskeletal regulation. Diana Toivola, 1997

• The role of mitogen-activated kinase in Fas receptor-mediated apoptosis. Tim Holmström, 2000